Last weekend ...
... because we finally felt at home in our new City digs, we celebrated by getting away to the country. (A little illogical maybe ... but a fun break from selling the RV and shopping for the new apartment.)
It was just a day trip to the Mountains. We thought we might be able to catch the last of the Fall color -- but most of the leaves were already on the ground. However, the drive along the Willamette River to the tiny town of Westfir is always beautiful. It's mostly Forest Service land -- we used to camp along there pretty often (back in our previous life).
What started out as a beautiful day suddenly turned dark and wet -- everything we saw for a while was through the rainy windshield. We'd thought about doing a little hiking, but rain erased all desires for that activity.
Above Westridge, we turned away from the Willamette River and drove along the McKenzie. This route, from River to River, is called the Aufderheide Drive. We dropped down to a lower altitude and had a little bit more dry weather (and almost sunshine) just as the day was ending. (Too soon, this time of year.)
One of the best parts of living in Eugene is that you can travel to the Mountains or to the Coast in less than two hours. We didn't do enough of either one of those things this time here (and you know why if you've been reading earlier posts). We look forward to less busy-ness and more exploration next year.
Linking to: OUR WORLD on Tuesday; MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES; TREES and BUSHES; and WEDNESDAY WATERS.
Thank you to the hosts: Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy, Gattina, Arija, and Jenn for OW; Judith for MM; Michelle for NN; Monica for Trees; and Gemma for WW.
Nice images of the pretty countryside.
Hope to see you at this week's Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday):
http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/11/chicago.html
Posted by: image-in-ing: weekly photo linkup | November 24, 2015 at 02:17 AM
Despite the weather you were still able to share some great shots in the mountains.
Posted by: Judith @ Lavender Cottage | November 21, 2015 at 06:37 PM
I am sorry that the weather turned but you got some beautiful photos Sallie... Michelle
Posted by: Ramblingwoods | November 21, 2015 at 03:35 PM
Wonderful photos of the beautiful river and the fall colours.
Posted by: Gunilla | November 21, 2015 at 07:04 AM
LOVE these groupings of beautiful photos Sallie!
Posted by: pat tillett | November 19, 2015 at 07:59 PM
A colorful landscape and autumn photos.
Posted by: Christian | November 19, 2015 at 12:10 PM
A stunningly beautiful place and your photos of it are so beautiful, Sallie! A pity you didn't get to hiking, that would have been even more wonderful. Wishing you a happy day!
Posted by: Wen Sylvestre | November 19, 2015 at 05:09 AM
Wow, what a rugged, beautiful area--love it! And a covered bridge too...I don't recall ever traveling up there but, from your photos, I KNOW I'd love it! Thanks for this lovely post:)
Blessings,
Aimee
Posted by: Aimee | November 18, 2015 at 08:03 PM
Getting away is such a nice thing to do, even with nothing in particular in mind. Simple scenery has its own beauty.
Posted by: bettyl-NZ | November 18, 2015 at 07:06 PM
Great set and the second mosaic has such a lovely feel to it~
Posted by: Mary Howell Cromer | November 18, 2015 at 01:38 PM
a beautiful country. And now you can enjoy it all year round. Must be very pretty when the new snow comes :)
Posted by: NatureFootstep | November 18, 2015 at 07:45 AM
Brilliant and impressive photos and mosaics !
This is my post
Greetings from Germany
Jutta
Posted by: Jutta K.Deutschland | November 18, 2015 at 07:40 AM
I really enjoyed the late Fall views! Beautiful day with the rain drizzle and I bet crisp air.
Posted by: Marie-AZ | November 18, 2015 at 07:25 AM
Wow! Fall colors! I miss them so much!
Posted by: Kusum | November 18, 2015 at 05:44 AM
Ah! beautiful, beautiful Pacific Northwest. :)
Lovely pictures, Sallie. :)
Posted by: dNambiar | November 17, 2015 at 05:41 PM
Beautiful photos. I'm confused, but don't you head toward FL at this time of year? Seems like you just arrived in the NW.
Posted by: Dianne | November 17, 2015 at 05:12 PM
Lovely images, Sallie! You're fortunate to live within a 2-hour drive of gorgeous nature.
Posted by: Margie | November 17, 2015 at 04:49 PM
Hello Sallie, I enjoy going on your daytrip. Gorgeous views of the covered bridge, river and the Autumn colors. I hope things have calmed down for you since the move. Enjoy your week ahead!
Posted by: Eileen | November 17, 2015 at 02:07 PM
It's so refreshing to get away from the city to the country, but I guess you are from the country and now getting used to the city! That's a lovely photo at the top of what appears to be a covered bridge possibly?
Posted by: Podso | November 17, 2015 at 01:41 PM
Love the water views! I makes perfect sense to me that when you're in the city you want to relax outside of it (we did that for many years). You are selling your RV - so are you settling for good? Good luck with finding an apartment!
Posted by: jesh stg | November 17, 2015 at 12:27 PM
What a beautiful covered bridge.
Posted by: Freda | November 17, 2015 at 12:01 PM
Very lovely! And you have many happy memories of this area too.
Posted by: EG CameraGirl | November 17, 2015 at 04:23 AM
It looks beautiful whatever the weather. Must go back and read your news.
Posted by: diane | November 17, 2015 at 12:34 AM
Many great and beautiful photos here!
Posted by: Birgitta | November 17, 2015 at 12:02 AM
The rainy west coast is beautiful in sunshine or wet. Your photos showcase that very well. There's more rain in the forecast, I hear. We just came in from our evening walk - no raindrops, but my hair frizzled in the damp air. I always sleep better after a walk. Enjoy settling into your new digs.
Posted by: Lorrie | November 16, 2015 at 09:40 PM
Glorious photos - even a rainy day can be beautiful.
Posted by: Jo Ann Bayne | November 16, 2015 at 09:00 PM
The creeks wer erunning high in your area. I did spy a little bit of lingering autumn in your photos, Sallie. We are gettings snow tonight!
Posted by: Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti | November 16, 2015 at 08:57 PM
lovely images. It's always nice to be out in nature whether its raining or not.
Posted by: Felicia | November 16, 2015 at 08:01 PM
It really does look beautiful. You will always be drawn to nature even if you aren't camping. Lovely photos...so different than any other part of the country. We visited there several years ago and it was the first time I had seen Shamrocks growing in the forest. Sweet hugs Diane
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | November 16, 2015 at 05:43 PM
That really is a nice place to be...close to the coast and the mountains! Beautiful scenery...
Posted by: ellen b | November 16, 2015 at 04:21 PM
A beautiful area! Wonderful photos!
Posted by: Mary | November 16, 2015 at 04:13 PM
Both spectacular rivers to explore. You are living in a dream place.
Posted by: Gaelyn | November 16, 2015 at 04:07 PM
What a beautiful trip to the mountains, and so wonderful that either mountains or the ocean are so close!
Posted by: cranberry morning | November 16, 2015 at 04:05 PM
Sallie, I absolutely love your photos, just gorgeous! And you showcase them so well, too!
Posted by: Linda | November 16, 2015 at 04:03 PM
Sallie...I an so tickled you noted my cute little bag lady. I thought she was one of my favorite pictures. She was all bundled up in that heavy layered blue dress and around and around she went. Nothing phased her. She never looked at any of the MANY runners all over the place. Thanks for the note. My legs are still killing me from running behind Buddy as he finished. Sometimes I forget how old I am and how bad the old back is. Still it was such fun.
Posted by: Genie | November 16, 2015 at 03:44 PM
You are living well! Gorgeous nature photography!
Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol
Posted by: artmusedog and carol | November 16, 2015 at 03:24 PM
Whether it's wet or dry, it's a beautiful area.
Posted by: Al | November 16, 2015 at 03:11 PM
Lovely! It must have been very nice to go for a ride with all this gorgeous scenery around you. Your photos are wonderful! Thanks for stopping by and letting me know how much you enjoyed my noodle recipe from last Monday. That makes me so happy :)
Posted by: DeniseinVA | November 16, 2015 at 02:56 PM
That looks like a nice outing to me. Too bad you couldn't do any hiking but what do you do.
I'm trying to be less busy. Busy is boring is my new motto.
Posted by: Yogi | November 16, 2015 at 02:20 PM
Brilliant photos Sallie.
Posted by: Bob | November 16, 2015 at 02:13 PM
An exciting future ahead having the time to explore your new surroundings.
Posted by: fun60 | November 16, 2015 at 01:14 PM
What remained on the trees are still worth visiting. The fall colors used to get me to take road trips and I intend to continue in the coming years.
Posted by: Photo Cache | November 16, 2015 at 01:08 PM
The drive along the river looks especially beautiful and I imagine it would have been great camping somewhere along there. Too bad about all that rain! The first photo of the dam and the covered bridge is perfect!
Posted by: Mick | November 16, 2015 at 01:05 PM
Your color is still beautiful. Enjoyed the mosaics. I have not made one is so long I have forgotten how to do it. Beautiful images today.
Posted by: genie | November 16, 2015 at 12:34 PM
Terrific captures of a beautiful place!! Thanks for sharing the fun and the beauty!! Hope you have a wonderful new week!! Enjoy!!
Posted by: sylviakirk | November 16, 2015 at 12:16 PM
I can certainly see why you "retired" to that area in the summer! But we'll welcome you back to Florida, anyway. Thanks for all your nice comments today - wishing you a great week!
Posted by: Lowell | November 16, 2015 at 12:08 PM
Even with the leaves gone the scenes are stunning.....
Posted by: Donna@Gardens Eye View | November 16, 2015 at 11:55 AM
Wow - so gorgeous!
Posted by: Lady Fi | November 16, 2015 at 10:16 AM
Beautiful shots of country side. Very scenic.
Posted by: Rajesh | November 16, 2015 at 08:22 AM
You certainly had a beautiful little get-away. It won't be long until Winter sets in so best take advantage of it while you can.
Posted by: Latane Barton | November 16, 2015 at 07:38 AM
Such a wonderful day trip, Sallie. So glad you got to get away - if even for a day.
Posted by: Penny | November 16, 2015 at 05:42 AM
It is a colourful and beautiful day trip to the mountains. Your pictures all turned out great in spite of the rain.
Posted by: Nancy Chan | November 16, 2015 at 05:05 AM
Beautiful even in the rain!! I didn't know there were covered bridges in Oregon. Glad you enjoyed your day away from the city.
Posted by: Florence | November 16, 2015 at 04:17 AM
still a lot of color, even through the dampness. :)
Posted by: TexWisGirl | November 15, 2015 at 10:51 PM