Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - Daily Photo

Driving to the Pumpkin Patch

2010-01-21T15:10:00.000-09:00

This area outside of Beaverton/Bethany is called Rock Creek or Helvetia. This is the first time I was able to take a more or less usable picture of those trees. And thanks Mark for the spider ;-)

Rock Creek Helvetia in Oregon

2010-01-20T19:38:00.000-09:00

This is the same picture as the day before. Taken in early summer 2009.

Helvetia Tavern

2010-01-20T09:54:00.000-09:00

The Helvetia Tavern is just like the name says in Helvetia. A short drive outside of Beaverton or Hillsboro. Known for great hamburgers and fries. It's a restaurant and bar. The bar is decorated with many baseball hats... and in the middle hangs a wooden sign. The text says "wer a chlei huselet het gang a chlei gelt, wer gang a chlei sufelet chunt lustig dur d'welt"

When I read that sign, I couldn't believe it. It is written in Swiss German dialect. Unbelievable, since the dialect language doesn't exist in a written manner. But then, I am Swiss, and Helvetia stands for Switzerland. It's a true Swiss quote, in the dialect of Berne:

"who loves staying home, always has a little spare money

who likes to drink a bit, will always go through life with fun"

Fall at the River

2010-01-19T13:14:00.000-09:00

Fall at the Willamette River. I took the picture in the from outside a building on Macadam Avenue in Portland in late fall 2008. It looks so very peaceful.

It's all about bikes! Portland

2010-01-18T16:08:00.000-09:00

We love mountain biking. In this bike store - River City - in Portland, we found our awesome lefty's. Actually we all own a cannondale mountain bike that was bought in that unique shop. It's all about bikes!

Portland Bridges

2010-01-17T15:11:00.000-09:00

Portland is a city with many bridges. The Columbia River and the Willamette River run through the beautiful city. This picture was taken in the summer 2009 crossing the Marquam Bridge in the evening.
Portland is a small city compared to other North American cities. It is known for its laid back city life. It's pretty!

Birds Gathering

2010-01-17T12:22:00.000-09:00

It's the time of the year! The days are shorter, the nights are longer. It gets dark before 5pm. The rain does not make it better! We were fortunate this year, we did not have so much rain in spring, the summer was beautiful, and fall was kind to us until now. It rained so heavy the entire weekend. The birds are gathering to leave the area soon. There are only a few species staying for the long rainy winter.

A Rainy Day in Portland

2010-01-16T12:29:00.000-09:00

One of these days... Today is one of these rainy long days. It just kind of stays dark all day.

This photo was taken in Portland from the OMSI parking lot. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (http://www.omsi.org/) is a great place to go and spend a rainy Saturday or Sunday with your family. There is something of interest for all.

Forest Park

2010-01-15T15:21:00.000-09:00

We love mountain biking. Forest Park in Portland offers a few nice trails. Single track, dirt... it's fun, and regular bike rides in Forest Park help us to get in shape. This picture was taken in the summer 2009 looking down towards St. Helens.

Oregon Pacific Coast

2010-01-14T07:54:00.000-09:00

The Oregon Pacific Coast is still a well hidden secret. It is breath taking, wild, romantic. And usually it is very cold. This picture was taken above Netarts in 2007.

What a beautiful day that was. My daughter and I spent all day driving along the coast.

Wilson River Trail

2010-01-13T11:31:00.000-09:00

Wilson River im Tillamook State Park is a another great place for mountain biking. It's more a hill forest biking, and it's really beautiful. The water is always very refreshing, and a nice picnic after a few hours biking is what we love to do.

Silver Falls State Park

2010-01-12T11:28:00.000-09:00

Still in Silver Falls State Park. Another picture that shows the beauty of this park.

Silver Falls State Park

2010-01-11T10:27:00.000-09:00

Silver Falls State Park is about an hour drive from Salem. Salem, about an hour from Portland. Silver Falls has great bike riding and hiking trails. There is a little creek and pretty lake for swimming. The movie "The Hunted" with Tommy Lee Jones was filmed in this park, and in and around Portland. Large trees, colorful birds, a great location for a family trip and picnic.

Timberline Lodge - Schnitzereien

2010-01-10T19:29:00.000-09:00

Um eine der zahlreichen Schnitzereien in der Lodge zu zeigen. Dies ist ein Indianer geschnitzt als Hintergrundbild der Eingangstuere.

Timberline Lodge

2010-01-09T19:27:00.000-09:00

Die Timberline Lodge liegt am Fusse des Mount Hood. Es ist eine wundervolle Skilodge, mit gemuetlichem Feuerplatz, und schoenen Schnitzereien. Uebrigens wurden die Aussenaufnahmen zum Film "Shining" mit Jack Nicholson dort gedreht.

Mount Hood

2010-01-08T19:20:00.000-09:00

Mount Hood ist in etwas mehr als einer Stunde von Portland mit dem Auto erreichbar. Es ist ein wundervolles Erholungs- und Sportgebiet. Im Sommer zum Mountain Biken und Wandern, im Winter zum Skifahren und Snowboarden.

Schoener Berg - Beautiful Mountain

2010-01-07T16:25:00.000-09:00

Mt. Hood aus dem Flugzeug. Diese Aufnahme entstand im Sommer 2007. Das Naturgebiet um Mt. Hood ist ca. eine Autostunde von Portland.
Mt. Hood from the plane. This picture was taken in sommer 2007. The nature park Mt. Hood is about one hour away from Portland.

Christmas Trees - Weihnachtsbaeume

2010-01-06T15:40:00.001-09:00

Most of the Christmas trees in the United States are grown in Oregon. Here is a beautiful view of a Christmas tree farm near Silver Falls State Park, Central Oregon.

Die meisten Weihnachtsbaeume in den Vereinigten Staaten werden in Oregon gepflanzt. Hier ist ein Ausblick auf eine dieser Weihnachtsbaumfarmen in der Naehe von Silver Falls State Park in Zentral Oregon.

The Morning before Christmas / Morgen des Heiligen Abends

2010-01-05T20:15:00.001-09:00

The sun behind the dark clouds, the ring around the sun, the shine in the snow, it was simply beautiful and breath taking...
Die Sonne hinter dunklen Wolken, der Ring um die Sonne, das Glaenzen im Schnee, es war so atemberaubend schoen...

Drei kleine Schneemaenner - Three Little Snowmen

2010-01-04T14:25:00.001-09:00

Es hat ein bisschen geschneit vor einigen Tagen, und es hat gerade so gereicht drei kleine Schneemaenner zu formen. Es schneit leider nicht oft hier, dafuer freuen wir uns um so mehr, wenn ein paar Flocken fallen. Der Winter ist noch jung, und wir hoffen noch immer auf mehr Schnee.
There was just enough snow to build three little snowmen. Since it doesn't snow here often, we are always thrilled about snow days. Winter is still young, and our hopes are up!

Happy Birds

2010-01-03T09:30:00.001-09:00

I never thought one could have a favorite bird house... Anyway, here is my favorite one, hanging above my rock trees in our backyard.

Ich haette nicht gedacht, dass man ein Lieblingsvogelhaeuschen haben kann. Aber hier ist es, mein liebstes Vogelhaeuschen. Es haengt in unserem Garten, gerade oberhalb meiner Steinbaeume.

Timberline Mt. Hood

2010-01-02T09:26:00.003-09:00

It was not a sunny day with most beautiful blue sky. It was a grey, wet day, and up on Timberline it was snowing. In spite of that, it was a wonderful day to enjoy the outdoors.

Es war nicht sonnig, kein blauer Himmel. Es war grau, nass, und auf Timberline hat es geschneit. Trotzdem, ein super Tag draussen zu verbringen und die Natur zu geniessen.

Happy New Year - Ein gutes Neues Jahr 2010

2010-01-01T11:10:00.002-09:00

Happy New Year 2010 - Ein gutes Neues Jahr 2010. Rock Creek Tavern, ein heimeliges Lokal, ganz romantisch mitten im Wald. Gute Burgers, Fries und feine Salate.
Rock Creek Tavern is such a cosy restaurant. You find it in the middle of the forest in the Rock Creek/Helvetia region. Great burgers, fries and salads.