The Magic Mile

A change of scenery and some lunch. That's what we decided we needed today. No house stuff, work, errands, or chores. Where shall we go? The beach is further than we want to drive, the waterfalls will be crazy-busy... How about Mount Hood and lunch at Timberline Lodge? Yes!

Only a hour in the car and what a change. The lodge was busy with visitors, tourists, and wedding parties but we had no trouble getting a table for lunch. After a leisurely walk around the Lodge and the area outside we noticed the Magic Mile chairlift was running... I'm not very good with heights but T persuaded me I could do it (he skis, I don't) - really glad I trusted him and got on the chairlift, what fun and what views, I wanted to go around again! We'll come back when it's snowy, it'll be even more dramatic. This picture was taken at the 7,000 ft point (approx.) on Mount Hood.

When we woke up this morning the light outside had a strange sepia tone from smoke from wildfires. There are lots of wildfires burning in Oregon - have been for months - one in Estacada had started this morning, when I checked the news at lunch time it was 200 acres, later on in the afternoon 1,000 acres. The air seems to have cleared off now at 7:30 p.m.

More pix from the day, including some of the smoke that was so visible from the wildfires.

88ºF in Portland but nice low 70s on the mountain.