alone in 7,000 acres of forest

[handmade34]

...except for the wildlife scurrying under the brush, the squirrels following me and the birds scolding me

I am working in Corvallis, Oregon and have found wonderful places to hike. I have been out at the OSU McDonald Forest the past few days. http://www.cof.orst.edu/cf/recreation/visitor_map.php

I have been working some in the Willamette National Forest but not had time to hike there. The McDonald Forest is close to my hotel and easy to get to in the early morning. The hike transverses wetland, old-growth, grasslands, oakwood, evergreen woods, etc...

Stated goals of the forest management:
"Learning, Discovery, Engagement -- Provide diverse opportunities for learning, discovery, and dissemination of new knowledge and technologies related to forest ecosystems, forest management, and forest products/services for forest managers/owners, scientists, teachers, students and the general public." The McDonald-Dunn Forest covers about 11,250 acres of forest and meadow on the western edge of the Willamette Valley and on the eastern foothills of the Coast Range. It lies within a transition area between the Oregon Coast Range and the Willamette Valley...”

The Willamette Valley where the white man "convinced" the native people to pack up and move beyond the mountains to the east (Manifest Destiny at its best :()... this valley is beautiful, agriculturally very productive and a joy to behold.

the sun just starting to shine through the trees



early sun



passed the "cap house" on the way up... Oh we need the CCC again!



at the top



self portrait



back in the thick of it on the way down

[Mira]

1. Oh my. Me and my Shadow. This one is aptly named,

and I must say as I look at them I hope you are all safe and sound. They both look like I want to be there and groove with the solitude, and also like I don't and want to get a bit leery.

Either way. You captured the spirit.
But then, I look outside, in the middle of NC, and my Maples bend and creak from the winds of the hurricane, so I'm a bit in touch with nature myself...

[handmade34]

4. In wildness is the preservation of the world

Thoreau said and I always believed him... he also said "Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes" and I really take that to heart!!

I feel at home nowhere like I do in the woods, mountains, oceans, open field or otherwise...

(I fear we can lose what little wilderness remains with corporations in power and people not willing to fight for public lands and protection of natural resources)

[Celebration]

2. I've been wanting to go to Oregon

Now I feel as if I just took a mini trip!

Good job. Love the self portrait. :thumbsup:

[handmade34]

3. Oregon is a wonderful state

and this area I'm in is a delight... would love to see more diversity though... I would say that a trip to Oregon would be a worthwhile trip.

out at work in the valley




I could live on the wild blackberries that grow EVERYWHERE here