A Day in the Hood!

Mount Hood, in all its glory!


Monday 11th, 2010

“We got it.”
“Got what?” asked our editor, intimating for us to calm down.
“The sun is shining in the great state of Oregon. Can you believe it?” we shouted with glee as we pointed to the window. “Let’s get going before the clouds move in. We have a tricky drive to get to the Hood.”
Sloping Hood

“What about work today? You don’t think you need to earn some rent and food money. Besides I’d like to get my haircut. Cash doesn’t grow on trees, you know.” We’ve heard that before. There are more trees in Oregon than anywhere. Makes you dream.
“Why don’t we go check the trees—just in case.” We were desperate to visit Mount Hood, one of the real beauties along with Rainier and Adams.
We left the wonderful motel in The Dalles, arriving an hour later without getting lost. However, it was not easy. We travelled through Mount Hood Forest and the first vehicle we saw during the latter period, stopped in the middle of the track as we approached it. Two guys jumped out the truck, holding large hunting rifles. ‘What now?’ we thought. All alone in a beautiful, lush, dense area of flora but no humans. Any suggestions?

Look Mom, NO bears!

After twenty seconds, they climbed back into the truck, letting us pass. We arrived at the Pacific Crest Trailhead and prepared for the hike from Lola Pass to Baldy and then onto the Timberline Trail. Guess who followed us? The two fellas again. The one was a youngster, the other, a rough looking and untidy man. We decided to take ‘the action to them’ and approached with our tough look, narrow eyes, chest puffed and one hand strategically placed behind our back—that’s where we would keep our pistol, if allowed to have one. Be back to the story soon.
Traversing the forest

The hike was incredible. The scenery magnificent. The mountain glorious and spectacular. The forests, as only Oregon can provide, unique. We would say over all, not ‘bad’. Ha! The length was eight miles through the forest climbing the whole way and then exposure to the beautiful hunk of rock, ice and snow. The glaciers were outstanding. Trees. You cannot believe the valleys and mountains of trees. As we broke the tree line we went down, up and down multiple times. Lunch took place sitting on the rocks with full view of Mount Hood, its western face. At times, there wasn’t a cloud covering it, giving us an unfettered view.



When the clouds blew across, it enhanced the sight. A jet aircraft flew by while two birds soared over the peak. We sat watching; we were overwhelmed. We are experiencing true joy. B’ H.

A view into the valley below

Some color in the hood

Back to the hunters.It turns out that they were lost although they both lived in Oregon. They had been hunting along the Mud River, hence their appearance was a little shoddy. Here’s the kicker. Jenni pulled out the directions and guided them back to their home in Hood River, a town we had passed through several times. Shows you, we’re making progress although we nearly ‘beat up’ two innocent guys for nothing. The second irony. We got hopelessly lost on the way to our overnight home. Nevertheless, we are in Rhododendrum, a town next to Zig Zag, with which of course, you are all familiar. The male member of our team loves Oregon.

Such towering beauty!

Another day of blessings, thank you.

Bye for now,
Jenni and Jeffrey

PS. Little Ellie will be eighteen months tomorrow, another of life’s blessings. Today, we had the pleasure of ‘skyping’ with Natalie and her while in the car, before heading for Sisters, OR.