Mineral Ridge

Before leaving Coeur d’Alene, I wanted nothing more than to hike Mineral Ridge in Beauty Bay. Somehow I just knew that had to be the best spot in North Idaho to see a sunset.
And I was right.
I called my buddy, the photo God nicknamed James Hannibal, to hike up with me. Neither of us had been there in nearly 10 years, so it was a bit of a shock when we saw the sign reading: “3.3 Miles.” Nevertheless, him in boots and I my flip-flops, we side0hilled the majority of it to get to a hidden spot in perfect position.
I can’t wait to see his photos, as he’s got the professional Nikon. But mine came out great, also:




Then we stopped in Wolf Lodge on the way back into town to snap a few more. I’m starting to dig shooting through the side mirror on the Jeep, so maybe I’ll try this more often.

Back in Oregon … for good

I finally finished my hellish U-haul trailer move back to the Hippy state today. After driving to Coeur d’Alene last Wednesday for what looked to be a three-day pack, clean and move, today I made it back to Holly and our new apartment a week late.

Yeah, a week.

It started with a snafu concerning my drivers license and an online fee I owed to Boise DMV (long story, more later). Throw in a botched paycheck followed by no U-haul trailers available in Coeur d’Alene, and my final move was failing miserably.

Finally, though, a trailer popped up at the last minute just 20 minutes north of Cd’A in Rathdrum. I had to wait 2 hours, and then another 30 minutes after showing up (the girl working had to call her dad from home to come load the trailer). After accidentally backing up too far and into the trailer, we spent another 20 minutes getting the hitch to lock – in the 95 degree heat.

Finally, I was ready; it was time to go load this bad boy. As I pulled away from the parking lot, I hopped out one last time to check the trailer and hitch. Then the only thing that could possibly cap off a day like this would be to lock my keys in the Jeep…

Holy God, I jinxed myself without even knowing it. As I shut the door to the RUNNING Jeep, it somehow automatically locked. Sweet. Perfect. But, of course.

Thankfully, Rathdrum Police fixed the scenario in under 20 minutes for free!

And thus, this morning I ventured southwest toward The Rose City and my fiancée:

Parked along the Columbia River to take a photo of the wind mills.


I’ve been meaning to stop and shoot these things for a long time. They’re friggin’ HUGE! Each spoke off the fan has to be hauled by an extra-long semi truck.


The viewpoint over the Columbia River.


Panoramic shot of the Columbia from the viewpoint above. Six shots merged together made this little beauty. (Click on it to see it larger)


It was insanely hot!

New Car

It seems like just yesterday I was writing “Ode to Yoda.” Well, perhaps it’s time to start penning “Ode to Buick.”

You see, I just drove my new car for the first time today, and holy hell was it nice: a 2006 Jeep Laredo that I am buying from the future mother-in-law.

Here’s a pic the new rig:

Now, only one thing concerns me: it’s a 4-wheel-drive V8. Yeah, V8. No wonder it jumped when I pounded the gas pedal to begin, there’s a damn beast inside this thing! Anyway, aside from a few less MPG, I’m actually stoked for the extra power: I was swerving through traffic with ease on my way out of Eugene (all legally, of course). And the 4x4? I can’t wait for snow this winter! Portland may not get much, but I’m going to rally the hell out of it.

What’s more, I’ve always wanted an SUV, so now looks to be better than ever since I’m moving to a new city, looking for a new job – I might as well enjoy a new car. Especially a car I’ve always admired, I mean, who doesn’t like Jeep?

See you on (and off) the road.