Family #hike at Lacamas Lake Park - Camas, #Washington {#pdx #kids}

Time flies, flies, flies and we have been like busy bees.  So needles to say that I we {as in the parental units} have really been looking forward to a nice family hike.  This winter has been crazy here in the Pacific Northwest ~ it has been so warm that all the snow at Teacup Nordic is gone.  Yes, the year we were going to ski every weekend = no snow.   Daffodils are already in full bloom, friends - so I thought that maybe the lilies are already getting ready to bloom at Lacams Lake Park and thus its the perfect excursion.

We first went on this hike a couple of years ago and I have to say it is a great hike.  It is close to Portland - only about 25 minutes from our house in Southeast - even so it is on the other side of the river aka Columbia.  This hike packs a lot of everything;  you hike over a dam and then you can decide whether to take the lake loop which is about 1-1/2 miles or take a longer loop down to the waterfalls.  Now you may know that I really like love waterfalls; they are so amazing, powerful and beautiful; so there is no question that we took the longer loop.  The trail leads down into the canyon over some rocks, curving along the creek onto a couple of different wooden bridges until you reach the Lower Falls. This is the perfect spot for a break - it does get a little busy…

From the Lower Falls

we worked our way back out of the canyon; now our biggest complaint about this hike is that everything is very poorly marked.  We chose to take a trail leading up through the woods and confirmed with other hikers that it indeed is the right trail.  The trail is very serene and it got a lot less crowded - let me also say that both girls were great as we kept listening for birds.  Out of the woods the trail leads to a gravely road - no cars - where we saw a few hikers and this the way to the Lilly field.  I remembered just how beautiful and amazing it was; an unexpected treasure…

Luckily we found the trail leading us up to the lilly field; oh my…no, lilies are not yet in bloom but this place is magical.  There is a sense of being out in the middle of nature - very far away from civilization. The colors - patches of bright green moss, flower stamps, dark green fir trees, light green lichen, rocks covered with lichen and patches of moss.  Just us and nature. Oh, how can one not believe in fairies…true magic…

At this point the girls were ready to get back to the trailhead and spend some time on the playground.

Good to know before you go -
The trails are poorly marked it is good idea to print out a trail map, or carry your hiking book.
This is a easy-moderate hike but - the loop we took with addition of the lily field - it is about 3.6 miles.
Be sure to take water, snacks, and wear sturdy shoes.

Have fun!

Latourell Falls #hike {#Oregon #travel #kids} in the Columbia River Gorge

Is it really already the end of the week? Yikes, this post was - at least in my head - planned for much earlier in the week.  I swear it was all drafted, written, pictures selected…that is in my head.  Yup, it never made it out to the keyboard.

There is still no snow up at Teacup Nordic so it was yet another weekend without cross-country skiing for this family and you may know by now just how much we need to get out at least once on the weekend.  It is our way to rejuvenate and recharge the batteries…looking for places to go, we asked Alena to look through our hiking book and she chose Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.  This waterfall is very close to Portland, and while we had stopped at the Lower Latourell Fall plenty of times we had never hiked the loop to the upper falls returning on the other side.   I have to say this was magical - it is not a very long hike with about 2.4 miles but it packs a lot into it.

Great trails, a hike up along the impressive lower Latourell Fall with beautiful lichen on the basalt rock face

yes, water drops 249' straight down into the basin. The hike continues along the stream on nice trail including four wooden bridges

until you can hear the thunder of the upper Latourell Fall.  The upper fall is amazing as it twists down the basalt rock into the basin…

crossing the bridge at the basin the return took us through lush green forest where Ron and MiaRose were looking for salamanders.

The trail takes a left turn leading to a magnificent view point - albeit super windy - of the Columbia River Gorge

The entire family including our often unenthusiastic hiker had lot's of fun.

Good to know before you go: The hike is about 2.4 miles and is considered a moderate hike with an elevation gain of about 520 ft. This is a hike where you should be sure to wear sturdy shoes, and carry water along with some snacks.

Silver Falls State Park = perfect day #hike {#travel #oregon #kids #pdx}

Still there is no snow up at Teacup on Mt. Hood and pretty much most of what there is gone as it is way too warm for January.  It is so sad…yes, the year the kids are signed up for skiing lessons the year of epic skiing has so far been pretty much non-existend.  Well, okay we got two days of skiing in but that's it. Sad, right?!   Now we all know - ha yes, Bea that is not true - okay I have previously mentioned that the Sonntagsausflug aka as weekend excursion is important to me us so we needed to look for something different to do last weekend. Good thing outdoor options are plentiful here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest so Silver Falls State Park came to mind.  Waterfalls galore…yes, they are not only in the Columia Gorge but can also be found at Silver Falls.  Plus, you can actually walk behind the waterfall now how cool is that?!

Silver Falls is about 1-45 min drive but oh so worth it.  I remember having first heard about it at a luncheon when we first moved Portland.  The hike and park were described as being absolutely magnificent; surely enough it was the first Sunday hike we went on twelve years and it did not disappoint.   Take a look…

For some reason or another we had not been there in years; the last time we were there both kids were on our backs but now they are - finally - capable on going on hikes with us.

True,  we did not - even so I really wanted to - hike the entire loop, not even the median one but hey about three miles is not bad.  We went behind the South Fall - can you say impressive -

it's a 177 ft drop; can you see the people in the far left corner…I think this is how to realize it's size

Next stop Lower South Fall….

before hiking back out of the canyon.

Silver Falls State park is amazing, truly.  When you go be sure to keep a few things in mind.
Wear sturdy shoes,
Stay on the trail,
Be sure to carry water and food,
Pets are not allowed on this hike,
gift shop and lodge close at 4 p.m. sharp

German Cherry Cheesecake - Kirschkäsekuchen {#Dairyfree} & first 2014 camping trip at Memaloose Oregon State Park

What is going on?  It is finally summer when the living should be easy and time for leisure should be plenty.  This has been said many times by me, but really would someone please invent a device that transposes blog posts onto the screen for editing….

The 2013-14 school year is over and to celebrate we went camping the very first weekend.  We have a new tent and could not wait to get out and give it a try.  Let me tell you it was full success.  The weather was dry out at Memaloose State Park in the Columbia Gorge albeit super windy and making the kite- and windsurfers out on the Columbia River very happy.

Both girls loved riding their bikes throughout the campground - their favorite is to make  s'mores at the camp fire and play silly games.  We have somewhat of a routine when camping.  Ron makes delicious French Press coffee and breakfast then we head out for a daily adventure.  This trip we went on a couple of adventures.  The first day we drove up to Rowena Crest and hiked the Tom McCall Nature Preserve; windy but simply beautiful.  Now let me tell you something about our kids - we have one child that absolutely loves hiking but there is also a cute squeaky little wheel that is not the biggest fan.  Can you guess the hiking fan and the hiking foe?!  -  One thing that sure helped the hiking foe was that we observed a beautiful deer in the park eating her lunch and seeing the ponds on the plateau.  Take a look how beautiful this place is….

Now I know if you are here for the Kirschkäsekuchen you are asking yourself what on earth does any of this have to do with a cake?  Let me tell you,  cherries grow in abundance in the Columbia River Gorge and this is what we saw on our drive up to the nature preserve

How can anyone resist and not stop to buy at least a pound of cherries for each person? Well, I may have bought ten pounds something I shall call planning ahead :)  Back home, they were pitted, placed on cookie sheets in the freezer, then moved to freezer bags and I am happy to report that we now have lots of cherries.  We use them as ice cubs in water and lemonade, and in this German style Cherry Cheesecake…Since we are not going to Germany this summer, I have to bring Germany to us.  Käsekuchen is one of my favorites; dense, rich, full in flavor with little hints of lemon. Unlike the American Cheescake a German style Cheesecake is made with Quark. Neither of our girls have had Käsekuchen before so this was a challenge that I had planned to tackle for a long time.

Take a look…

What do you think?

German Cherry Cheescake {Kirschkäsekuchen}
Crust

• 1-1/4 C flour
•     1/4 C  Sugar
•      1 tsp vanilla 
•      pinch of salt
•     1 egg yolk 
•  1/2 C  Earth Balance or other vegan "butter"

Filling

• 3 eggs, separated
• 2 pack soft silken tofu 
• 1/2 C sugar
• 1/4 C lemon juice (or more to taste)
• zest of 1/2 untreated lemon, grated
• 1/4 C corn starch
• 1-1/2 C fresh or frozen pitted cherries

1. Combine all the dough ingredients and bring together until it forms into a smooth dough.  Roll out the dough on a floured work space.  Place it into a parchment lined spring form pan. 
2. Place dough in spring form pan for about 30 minutes into a fridge
3. Preheat oven to 400 F
4. When the dough has chilled and the oven is preheated bake the dough for about 10 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven, and turn down heat to 335 F
6. Make the filling -
7. Beat egg whites until they are firm.  Set aside
8. Place tofu - drained as much as possible - into kitchen stand mixer. Beat until all lumps are worked out and it is smooth.
9. Mix in sugar, lemon juice (add more to taste), egg yolks and corn starch.  
10. Gently lift egg white under the filling
11. Pour filing into pre baked crust.
12. Place cherries on top of the filling and gently push them down
13. Bake for about 60 minutes until golden
14. Remove from the oven and let rest at a cool place for about 45 minutes before serving

Enjoy!

     

Mint-Lemon Balm Syrup = memories of a castle hike {Hocheppan Alto Adige}

Oh the sweet memories of vacation...I am so glad that it is still summer, giving me time to recreate this delicious syrup.  Minty - yet lemony Mint & Lemon Balm Syrup; good things both are growing like weeds in our yard :)  The girls first taste of this delicious drink was at our hike to Hocheppan, Sued Tirol {Alto Adige}.  Let me just say it was a well deserved break - we hiked down a very steep canyon from Perdonig to Hocheppan then after a break continued on to Schloss Boymont and then back to Gasthof Steinegger our hotel. This was the longest, most difficult hike of our trip however it was so worth it; as a side note if you go on this hike be sure to wear sturdy shoes :).

Now take  a look at the castle {can you find Alena}....

There are not that many pictures of our hike as -
shame on me - the battery ran out -> ooops for not charging the battery properly....but Ron did make a video of Mia Rosie's favorite friend Sascha on the visit...

Anyways now we are back in Portland and I have memories of that delicious drink.  Mint-Lemon Balm Syrup in sparkling water - oh yes. I am happy to report, that the experiment of recreating the syrup worked out :)

We first harvested the herbs in our garden, washed the lemons, cut them, brought the mixture to a boil and let it sit for a couple of days....

Mint-Lemon Balm Syrup

• 1 Bunch of fresh mint 
• 2 Bunches of fresh lemon balm
• 5 organic lemons washed, and sliced
• Large pot
• 10-3/4 C of water
• 4-1/2 lbs. sugar
• app. 5 wide mouth quart sized canning jars {I ended up with three jars and three bottles}

1. Rinse herbs, then pluck the leaves off and place in the large pot
2. Add the lemon slices, and water to the pot
3. Bring to a rolling boil, cover and remove from the heat
4. Leave covered for two days at room temperature.  Stir occasionally
5. Remove herbs, as well as lemons from the mixture.
6. Place the pot back on the stove, adding the sugar.  Bring mixture to a rolling boil, stirring frequently.  Boil for about 5 minutes then remove from the heat and fill the syrup into prepared jars and bottles. 
7. Prior to filling the jars and bottles, place cheesecloth on top of the jar/bottle.  Be careful not to burn yourself.  The syrup is very hot!
8. Add to Sparkling Water, or Prosecco, or White Rum, or.....the options are endless :)

Enjoy!

It's Trillium season at Tryon Creek State Park

Spring has sprung when the Trillium is in bloom. At least that is what I think since moving to Oregon ten years ago.  One of the best places in Portland to observe these amazing flowers in full bloom is Tryon Creek State Park.  Now, you may - or may not - know that this this is one of our favorite hiking spots in the city.  You can be in the middle of nature, yet it is in the city - true there are many parks in Portland offering this, but to me Tryon Creek is one of the most accessible with children.

Yesterday, we went on our Tryon Creek hike to admire the Trillium's - just in the nick of time.  They start out in a beautiful crisp white,

then the color turns slightly pink, and finally turn into a dark shade of pink.  They are amazing!

We like to hike at Tryon Creek quite a bit, and so far thought that we knew every trail...was I wrong!  The girls wanted to take the trail to the Red Fox Bridge yesterday and it was a completely new trail to us.  A little longer than the other trails we usually take but less busy and just perfect.  We saw fairy ponds, and this watershed where you can just imagine that the water fairies live there.  Right?!

Can you find the water fairies? 

Wahclella Falls Hike {spring break day #4}

The fourth day of 2013 spring break we spent together as a family as Ron was off {yay}, and we went on our first - albeit mini - hike of 2013.  Yes, Ron missed out on the roller skating fun on Monday at Oaks Park, the fun at OMSI on Tuesday, and he did not join the girls for an unscheduled "take your kids to work day"...

But today, we spent a great day together; before we left the house for breakfast we had the hard decision to decide what to do.  XC Skiing at Mt. Hood - visit to the beach/coast - urban hike - or hike in the Columbia Gorge...yes, I know we are terribly spoiled :) We decided on a hike in the Columbia Gorge, after a big breakfast at Alena's favorite restaurant, Jam on Hawthorne.

Wahclella Falls is the hike we decided upon - it is a quick 30 minutes outside of town and right of I-84 {Exit 40 to be exact}.  We have been on this hike a long time ago with Mia Rose in the Ergo...today both girls walked. They are the perfect age for this little hike now;  just a word of caution there are many steep drops so hold your little ones close, and do not let them run ahead.  Wahclella Falls is  worth the trip - a beautiful waterfall awaits at the end of the trail and today it was not the least big crowded

- plus take a look at the flowers we saw on the hike...

And yes, both girls enjoyed the hike today....

#Thankful for #Newbornscreening {#video} by Alena

Here is Alena telling us what she is thankful for this 2012 Thanksgiving Holiday.  We took the video at our hike at Tryon Creek :)

Alena would really love to hear from you :)  Thank you!

#Family #Hike and #Fun at the Oregon Coast

Fun at the beach...

Finally a well deserved long weekend get away for us.  This past week was so busy, and we were all due for a break.  The girlies did not have school on Friday so it was the perfect time to go to the beach for a long weekend.  We generally go to the Northern Coast, but this time we went to Pacific City which is on the central Oregon coast.  Ahhh,  it is so relaxing just to be at the beach.  The air, the sounds, it is so rejuvenating even with the rain....  We have had unseasonably dry weather and it actually started to rain for the first time in months on Friday our first full day at the beach.  Rest assured, we still had a ton of fun...

Beach fun - October 2012 in Pacific City

On Saturday we went for a nice long hike out to Cape Lookout.  It is a cape that reaches 2 miles out into the Pacific Ocean.  It is a beautiful hike through the mystical forest, and along the steep cliff {yes, we did "white knuckle" the girlies along those passages}. The sound of winding roaring through the woods, and the ocean crashing against the beach...it is really, really mystical and you just know for a fact that faeries live there.  The girlies referred to the puddles we saw along the hike as "fairy swimming pools". Take a look at this cute snail - it seems like she is seeking shelter underneath the mushroom....

It was beautiful - both kids did a great job as it is 2.4 miles out to the cape, and another 2.4 miles {uphill} back to the trail head.  Our kids are good hikers, Mia Rose did start to fuss before we reached the cape but did a great job on the way back.  She really deserved the piggy back ride for the last 10 minutes of the hike :).

Family hike to Cape Lookout

The large plate of french fries and root beer for each girl at the Pelican Pub was well deserved :)
After lunch the girls and I have our energy back to climb to the top of the dune and play in the sand Let me just say it was sandy, but so much fun....

Having fun in the sand...

Before heading back home on Sunday we walked on a stormy out on the beach...oh yes, our batteries are now recharged...

It is windy out...can you tell?

Outdoor summer fun...

is spending time outdoors.  Today I am participating again in Kate's "Fun Fridays" Blog Party and the topic is "favorite sumer outing".

Well, for us I cannot limit what our one most favorite summer outing is. All of us love to be outdoors

Hiking in the Columbia Gorge

and I really cannot limit it to one single activity.

Urban Hike

We actually love to be outdoors year round, regardless of weather and where ever we are :)

Sightseeing in Nuremberg

Swimming at the Lake of Constance

 When we are here in Oregon Camping is usually one of the highlights of our summer, this one thing that we did not do a lot of this summer.  Besides that we love to go to the beach - the Oregon Coast is just a little over an hour away -

Fun at the Oregon Coast

 go up to the mountain, go on hikes,

Mini hike on Larch Mountain

go swimming,

Swimming at the pool in Portland

 but it also includes trips to the Oregon Zoo,

At the Oregon Zoo

 trips to downtown Portland,

Downtown Portland

and - course how could I forget - plenty of trips to the playground....

On the playground

I just love summer :)  How about you?  If you are here from Kate's Blog I say a special "Thank you for visiting" and I hope to see you again :)

Blueberry picking fun

You know that the middle of August has atrrived in Portland when the grass turns brown {yes, it is true it does not rain all the time in Portland -  psssst please do not share our secret :)}, and it is time to go blueberry picking.  All of us just love Oregon blueberries and we pick enough to last us way into the winter.  We usually head over to Sauvie Island, but this year we were ready to give a different location a try.  I get email notifications from Tri-County Farm about various farms in the greater Portland area with produce. The email mentioned Klock Farms in Corbett. Corbett is a town on the way to the Columbia River Gorge. It actually lies above it, and also above Portland. It is a scenic drive, and closer to our house than Sauvie Island.

The blueberry picking was fantastic.  We got assigned a row for picking  and had 14 lbs.of sweet, juicy blueberries  in less than an hour.  

This is a fantastic farm to pick as there are also picnic benches in the shade. Perfect for an outdoor lunch! Take a look...

The farm is located on the way up to Larch Mountain.  I have known about it for a long time but - this is so hard to believe - have never made it up there. For some reason we always forgot about it. Not so yesterday, finally..so worth it. Yes, it be even better to come up and be prepared for a hike and not just for the short stroll to the viewing site. Well, we were so unprepared - in our flip flops - for a hike so all we could do was go on the brief walk to take in the view. It was beautiful - even so brief, but still enough to fill our lungs with  mountain air, and minds with the calmness of the woods.

View from Larch Mountain

Next time we will be better prepared and hike before we pick our blueberries :)