Deschutes and Ladders

I am scared of heights sometimes.  And while I enjoy bouldering and climbing rocks, hiking up Bachelor or Horse Butte by moonlight or Misery Ridge on a hot day, I also REALLY have to practice not panicking.  I was born on the Great Plains after all.

spirit animal

Last week, however, I spent a lot of hours hovering above the ground on the tallest ladder I have ever used.  I got pretty comfortable up there.

I was commissioned by Visit Bend to chalk up their two giant cement pillars with art.  They gave me only two parameters, that it be "bend-ish" and that I start at shoulder height so patrons wouldn't get messy when they walked by.  I had so much fun.  I made such a mess.  I was covered in chalk all week.  I got to chime in on my opinion about the best things to do in Bend with only a few days to spend.  Forty hours, four packs of pastels, and eight sides. The drawings are going to stay up for some time, enough time for all you out of towners to book a flight and come Visit.

oh, deer

detail of deer

Do you recognize some of these places?  

I Love Getting Snail Mail and Spooky Stories

Just checked my mailbox and got a lovely little letter and disc of photos from Innisfree.  The photos were from our visit with Mr. and Mrs. Mullen in September...  These two are from our Very Long Day Hike at Tumalo Falls...

Such a fabulous time... 

In Spookier News- we just got our copy of The Graveyard Book- the newest cross generational story from Neil Gaiman, with illustrations by Dave McKean.  You may or may not know the duo from the likes of the beautiful film and book Mirrormask ; as well as my favorite children's books The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, The Wolves in the Walls.   I read chapter one t0 Owl last night, and can't wait for bedtime to see what happens next.  If you would like a taste, watch the embeded video of Neil himself reading aloud from chapter one with his fabulous accent.  

 

Miles and Miles

This morning I woke up sore but very happy.  I have had a wonderful week hanging out with Mr. and Mrs. Mullen (parents of  Gilliam Life author and bff Sarah), and this morning I brought them a yummy Ocean Roll from the Sparrow Bakery before waving bye to them.  They head back to Portland today and fly home to Tennessee early Saturday Morning.  Sadly, I have no pictures to share as of yet due to camera malfunctions.  Hopefully, next week!

The absolute highlight of the week had to be our hike yesterday at Tumalo Falls.  Now, Tumalo Falls is one of those touchstone places that you must see when you come to Bend, but due to snow pack, Al and I have never ventured more than a cou

ple miles up the trail.  We discovered yesterday why it is important to keep moving onward and upward when on this hike.  So many beautiful Falls!  And we just kept going. and going, and going.  The Mullens are wonderful hiking pals, and the miles flew by.  Six hours later, it seems we must have hiked at least ten miles- maybe twelve.  It was lovely.  End the day with a campfire, Mr. Rick and our good friend James strumming Doc Watson songs, and two very large pizzas: Bliss.

In artsy news- Owl and I will be attending a show of new work tonight at the PoetHouse by Cameron and Ben.  And look what was on the cover of The Source this week.

Also Included- My Official Review of Outside Lands....