Four Day Part 1

Right now I am sitting on my couch at home - Rachel is knitting and my dad is making us breakfast. It is sno nice to be home for a four day break! After finishing classes on Friday, Marisa, Rachel, and I packed up the car and headed down the Gorge toward home. Lori (Marisa's mom) picked her up in Hood River Friday evening. (It was nice to see you Lori!)

The weather this weekend has been pretty typical Hood River fall weather: unpredictable. We had a couple hours of beautiful sunny weather, as well as some heavy rain. I guess that makes life more of an adventure. 

The day started with a drive up to Timberline Lodge on the south side of Mount Hood. The leaves are starting to change color along the Hood River Valley, which we enjoyed as we drove south on Highway 35. I was wearing sun-glasses for most of the drive, but as we drove up Timberline Highway, we drove directly into a cloud, so that we when got out of the car it was pretty rainy and windy. We couldn't get a view of the mountain, but the lodge is beautiful and plenty to look at. For breakfast, we enjoyed the buffet!

Four berry deliciousness! 

After breakfast we wandered around the lodge a bit, and read up on its history. 

A cozy place to be on a misty fall day. 

On the way down the mountain we got out of the clouds and got out first and only mountain view for the day.

We took a pit-stop in upper Parkdale to pick something up for a fellow Whitman student, and were gifted with a couple shoe boxes full of apples, tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers! It was nice to see Ali's dad, and Rachel enjoyed seeing their house and property. It is something special! 

As we continued our way down the mountain, the sun continued to shine, so that when we got to Rasmussen's Pumpkin Patch, it was sunny and warm! It was fun sharing this childhood memory with Rachel. 

I particularly like this picture - great shot, Rachel!

In the afternoon we wandered around downtown, visiting Knot Another Hat, which was heaven for the yarn obsessed Rachel, and a couple other must see Hood River shops. When the rain started, we took refuge in Dog River Coffee, enjoying hot chocolate and a piece of pumpkin bread. Delicious! 

The day ended with another wonderful culinary creation by my father! 

Poached pears and coconut gelato from Friday night. 

A couple photos from last week:

Sometimes you need breakfast for dinner

Rachel hard at work :)

Zoe on her second or third outdoor adventure at the new house.

"You're finally letting me outside?!"

Butternut squash soap and homemade rolls. 

Zoe got a lot of love this week... I think she was ready for everyone to leave for break so she could have a little alone time!