unexplored (and wild) trails: Smoke update

Saturday, September 9, 2017

Smoke update

The fires in the Oregon area have been devastating. Earlier this summer the smoke from fires in Canada was blown into the Portland area. Now it is mainly the Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbian Gorge that has created so much smoke for us. And it is with great sorrow that I learn that many areas in the Gorge that I wanted to see are burnt. For all the people here that enjoy that area it is a great loss. The brave first responders are so appreciated. So for all my friends that are wondering how we are doing, we are okay. Just limited outdoor activities due to the smoke and ash in the air.

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Notes to Self...

It's always a good idea to take all the sticky tabs off the replacement ink cartridges BEFORE installing into the printer.

Flannel lined jeans-it only took 3 winters for me to discover them. It would have been better to buy them 3 years ago.

Check weather, especially windspeed, before heading out on the Willamette.

Before cutting off the dripper on the drip system that appears to not be working-check to see if the hose is kinked.

Running when the temps are in the 30s means wearing many layers of clothing-thermals on legs and 2 layers of thermals on top, large sweatshirt, down vest, sometimes a rain jacket, a hat, gloves. Just think when warm weather returns and I shed these layers I will feel so much lighter and maybe be faster.

When wearing all the layers of clothes to play in the snow remember not to lay things down on the ground by your feet...it's hard to bend over to pick them up again.

Remember to bring the net when fishing from a kayak.

When you live in a house with no air conditioning it's important to pay attention to the weather forecast: if a long period of heat is forecast-do some cooking and freezing of dinners to get thru the hot spells without using the oven.

Now I get to learn how to count to ten in Korean-thanks to my grandson's taekwondo classes. And if I forget how-he's always there to remind me.

Snow can "ball up" under my riding boots when I wear my half chaps, I think the elastic under my boots helps the snow to collect down there. Now I know what the horses feel like when snow "balls up" in their hooves.

It's not necessary to cast all the way across the river. In fact it's a good way to lose some fishing gear.

When traveling and depending on Google Maps, it's best to type in exactly where you want to end up. I typed in the name of a Fall and should have typed in the Fall's name plus trailhead.

It's probably best to wear heavy duty gloves when doing major trimming on roses.

Leaving at 5am for a drive from CA to OR isn't that bad.

When having the roof striped off the house, and you have the washing machine out in the garage-with no ceiling above it, just the roof----it's a good idea to shut the lid on the top loading washing machine. That way the pieces of roof that fall won't land inside the washing machine.

When buying a house it's a good idea to take pictures of the yard and all the plants, just in case a previous owner/renter decides to take the plant(s) with them. Of course they may take them if it's written in the agreement, but otherwise they should be staying with the house.

Ammonia, black plastic bags + sunshine=clean stove grates. Now if I could just do that to the whole stove!

It would be nice to remember the sunscreen next time we go to the beach.

Traffic circles aren't so bad, traffic circles aren't so bad, traffic circles aren't so bad, traffic circles.....

A grandchild's smile is enough to brighten my day!

I really don't like packing chairs. They are awkward to pack and packing things around them-very tricky.

Even tho 99% of my household is in a POD and it's easier to clean the house, easier to wash dishes, I still can't find my packing tape, pens, glasses..need to organize what little is left in the house!

I officially love vacuum sealed bags!

It takes a long time to pack a kitchen.

Pretty sure the world is held together by packing tape.

When missing that screw from installing "something"-remember to check the box the "something" came in.

Make a list of things to do when showing the house and we need to be out.

Electric power washers are great until you get tangled up in the hose, electrical cord, and the spray cord. Next time try not to get tangled up.

It's best to hold on to the paint brush when painting

Baking soda + vinegar = cleaner grout