If you see two people sitting across from each other at the brewpub (this is at Portland Brewing* — my favorite fish tacos are here), both on their iPhones, and you wonder who they are and what their problem is — it's just us, playing Words with Friends against each other. That's what we do before we go into the woods, a few blocks away.
Always amazing that's it's always just a few blocks away.
We spent most of our time in the woods this weekend. This walk is Lower Macleay Trail, the last half of this walk that we took, almost two years ago to the day. Time really flies. I would've thought that was just last year if I hadn't looked it up.
We walked from the park to the witch's house and back this time, only about a mile and a half. Lots of people on this trail, believe it or not.
By "lots" I mean relatively speaking.
I wonder if spring is on its way here, or if we are still going to get any winter.
I love when she comes back to get me.
I think I've really gotten on board with this whole winter thing this year, in a weird way. Our January was turtle-slow. We had so many weekends that felt so slow and so wonderful. I honestly don't even know how to describe them other than to say I am very grateful for the time. Really quiet time. Spring — it starts heating up. Always so much to do in the yard, outside, with friends. I like that, too, obviously, but the quietness of knitting my way through January was very lovely. I hold it dear.
These are fairy-tale woods, really, especially in winter. They're mossy and dark. A little chaotic. A little scary. It's good to stick together in case some sort of hobgoblin is watching from the trees.
You do not want to get pushed in the creek by a hobgoblin.
We also worked on a new music playlist. I'll make a widget for it and post it tomorrow.
How pretty can one little dog get.
*I think they changed the name of Portland Brewing back to MacTarnahan's or maybe Pyramid or something. Sorry to those of you who have asked about this. I swear it used to be called PB? Oh well. Not sure.
This post so makes me miss winter in Oregon. It's so lush and green. And so...manageable!
You have an adorable dog.
Growing up I did a lot of walking in the woods. I know there are woods around here, but I don't tend to walk in them anymore. Spring. Once it is here, I will have to see if I can find some woods for Victor and I to tromp through.
I can't wait until I live in a place where it's not below zero and generally nasty during the winter! Beautiful photos, and the dog is adorable.
Dear Alicia, looOOove the photos of the woods, moss, creek and Andy and Clover Meadow! I also love that stone cottage, where is it located? Definitely makes you feel you're in a story with hobgoglins and faeries! :-)
I have lots of photos of the emerging flowers and buds on my blog today. YAY.. it's coming!
Teresa in Corbett, OR
I love everything about this post. Thank you for sharing.
What a wonderful post, especially seeing Miss Clover Meadow. She always makes me smile.
Mmm, that's gorgeous. I'm amazed you can walk in the woods this time of year--we are under two feet of snow, and have been for months. Portland is looking better and better.
Thank you for sharing your lovely winter walk in the woods! I especially loved seeing Clover Meadow looking so very happy.
Thanks for a glimpse into the future. Dreaming of the day when I can walk my "furry girls" on the sidewalks without all our winter gear. With our 20" of snow from last week, and 3" yesterday I am hoping that the ground hog was right, only 5 weeks left. ;-)
It is all so beautiful. Thanks for sharing! We are up to our eyeballs in snow here. I, too, am knitting my way through...
This is a great reminder to slow down and try to enjoy winter. I'm in Victoria, BC, so we are experiencing similar weather. (Everyone who is buried in snow is going to find this really irritating, but...) I have a really hard time at this time of year. Sure, some flowers are starting to show themselves, but it's so windy and wet and gray, and warm weather seems so far away. I need to remind myself of the good things: Biking to work, and taking off rain pants and jackets to reveal dry clothing. Watching the trees sway from my cozy office/bed room/living room. Drinking hot chocolate and peppermint marshmallows. That sort of thing...
I almost cried with envy at your quiet, slow January. It's something I need so much. I don't know how to get off the hamster wheel, though. I'm trying to work on that.
I am so glad you went back to visit the witch house. (Based on your endorsement of the "Walks" book, I bought Julia one when she moved to PDX.) The last time, when your camera lens fogged up, looked sort of like Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow" to me. I love that movie. It's so spooky and lovely. But these hipstamatic prints give the images the FEELING that being in those woods gives you, though. I like both sets equally.
Do you think Clover Meadow can sense the hobgoblins?
If your up for a game, send me your words with friends name!
Miss Clover Meadow looks as though she might be worrying about hobgoblins.
So sweet. Kisses for the pupper's nose!
I'm eager for the playlist - you walk sounds lovely~
Heh. I'm imagining the deep satisfaction of booting a hobgoblin into the creek before he booted me. :)
she is the prettiest of pretties...your enchanted wood looks just as you describe....deep and dark and lovely....just the place to dilly-dally in february...you make it seem so divine...well done you.
I love how Clover Meadow is like, "Come ON mom, let's go!"
You have the most perfect life.
So beautiful.
After being iced in for four days, the sun finally came out on Sunday, so we were able to take a walk too. Only it wasn't pretty like yours. It was a dirty slush walk. But at least the sun was out and we could get out of the house.
I got this book in my stocking from "Santa" this year, and I cant wait to go out and search for gnomes and fairies on this very walk.
What a beautiful spot to go for a winters walk. I felt the same way about January this year, it poked along in a cozy kinda way. It is 70 here in the Bay Area today, and all the cherry blossoms are out. Every year we get two weeks in Feb. with a fake out spring, then the rain returns.
Happy cozy winter to you both :)
She is gorgeous! :)
The woods are very pretty too!
Vivienne x
Thanks for sharing these photos. I love seeing the woods of Oregon through your lens.
-sniff- I miss my corgi. He moved out in December, when my son did. Silly boy thinks Henry is HIS dog.