This one was a workout on the calves and glutes! Misty skies made the wildflowers pop on a grey canvas. Mollusks, insects, and birds abound. Kept wishing for a furry mammal sighting in the treeline. Alas, I had only my memories of Wednesday's visit to the Oregon Zoo.
The fourth Sunday in June, Andrew and I drove east of Molalla to the somewhat hard-to-find Table Mountain Trailhead. The trail begins where one of those winding gravel roads abruptly ends in a smallish turnout. You aren't sure you have arrived until you get out and walk down the trail several feet. We didn't do this the first time. Sullivan's descriptions are always accurate. It's just that things don't always look as you expect. Vegetation and road burms camouflage evidence of human construction. Just as well. Adds to the mystery and adventure.
Exploring Oregon's stately neighbor to the North brought about some unexpected delights. Example: earnest retired person who gave me the spiel on the plankhouse. Listening to your elders begets insight into the land we thoughtlessly trod day-to-day. Yesterday there was no erection scrawled on the pillar of the stone bridge near my apartment. Yesterday, there was no bridge. Tomorrow may find the erection whitewashed. Tomorrow may find no bridge. The elders know.