Photos: Oregon: Scenery

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Multnomah Falls

June 12, 2009

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

Note: "Multnomah Falls is a waterfall on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, located east of Troutdale, between Corbett and Dodson, along the Historic Columbia River Highway. The falls drops in two major steps, split into an upper falls of 542 feet (165 m) and a lower falls of 69 feet (21 m), with a gradual 9 foot (3 m) drop in elevation between the two, so the total height of the waterfall is conventionally given as 620 feet (189 m). Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in the State of Oregon." (Source: Wikipedia)

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Mount Bachelor

June 16, 2009

Central Oregon

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Dawn at Heceta Head Lighthouse

June 18, 2009 (4:52 AM)
(sunrise today was 5:31 AM)

Central Oregon coast

Note: The brochure about Heceta Head Lighthouse that was given to us at the Oregon Visitors Center in Florence, Oregon states that this lighthouse, which was built in 1894, has the "most picturesque view on the Oregon coast".

That same brochure called "The most photographed lighthouse in Oregon" states the following: "Heceta Hea is named for Bruno de Heceta, a Portuguese sailing for the Royal Spanish Navy who first noted the head and surrounding shallow water in 1775 while unsuccessfully trying to reach Sitka, Alaska."

Photo note: This was one of the few pictures that I made before the rain started and the fog quickly rolled in, which virtually obscured the lighthouse. Although I was by myself while SiowFong, Lydia, and MayLee were still sleeping at Overleaf Lodge in Yachats, Oregon, I enjoyed the cool, fresh ocean breeze and the sounds of the surf lapping against the shore.

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Bridge at Cook's Chasm that is just north of Heceta Head Lighthouse

June 18, 2009 (6:10 AM)

Central Oregon coast

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Paulina Lake

June 16, 2009

Central Oregon

Photos: Oregon: Lydia and Mommie and Daddy

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Mom and Lydia are peeking through the entrance to a tepee.

High Desert Museum

Bend, Oregon





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SiowFong is carrying Lydia.

June 16, 2009

High Desert Museum

Bend, Oregon


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Lydia is using her plastic shovel and bucket to play in the sand while her dad observes her actions.

June 17, 2009

Overleaf Lodge

Yachats, Oregon



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Lydia loves to play with sand, and her mom made sure to pack the sand shovel, some plastic toys, and a bucket for this activity.

June 18, 2009

Overleaf Lodge

Yachats, Oregon





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All of today's activities, including walking up and down on this sloped trail between the beach and the parking lot, made Lydia tired, so her dad is carrying her back to the minivan while Lydia is sitting on her father's photo waistpack.

June 18, 2009

Seal Rock State Park

Waldsport, Oregon

Photos: Oregon: Chess

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After breakfast (which is included in the price of the lodging), Lydia played with the chess set.

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Lydia clustered the chess pieces on one corner of the chess board.

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Lydia, Tiger, and the various birds of the chess set

Note: All of these pictures were taken on June 18, 2009 in the lobby of the Overleaf Lodge in Yachats, Oregon.

Photos: Oregon: Bear

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Lydia is sitting atop a bear statue that is made of carved wood in the foyer of the hotel.

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Bear rider Lydia

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Auntie MayLee and Lydia are looking towards the hotel desk where SiowFong is paying the hotel bill.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on June 18, 2009 at the Overleaf Lodge in Yachats, Oregon.

Photos: Oregon: Lydia and Auntie MayLee

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Auntie MayLee and Lydia are searching for plump, red strawberries.

June 13, 2009

Rasmussen Berry Farm

Hood River, Oregon

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Auntie MayLee is making sure that Lydia does not fall while Lydia gingerly walks atop a log.

June 13, 2009

Lost Lake

Near Hood River, Oregon

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Auntie MayLee is holding Lydia's hand as they walk uphill from the beach towards the parking lot.

June 18, 2009

Seal Rock State Park

Waldsport, Oregon

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Lydia and Auntie MayLee are descending on the trail that leads from the parking lot to the beach.

June 18, 2009

Seal Rock State Park

Waldsport, Oregon

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Auntie MayLee and Lydia are inside a tepee.

June 16, 2009

High Desert Museum

Bend, Oregon

Photos: Oregon: Watching Sea Otter Thomas

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A sea otter, whom Lydia named Thomas, is scampering along the shore.

Note: "This aquatic member of the weasel family is found along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean in North America and Asia. The sea otter spends most of its time in the water but, in some locations, comes ashore to sleep or rest. Sea otters have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water." (1)

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Swimming is a sea otter's passion.

Note: "These aquatic otters do more than sleep while floating on their backs. They are often seen with a clam or mussel and a rock that has been deftly snared from the ocean floor. Otters will place the rock on their chests, and repeatedly smash the shellfish against it until it breaks open to reveal the tasty meal inside. They also dine on such aquatic creatures as sea urchins, crabs, squid, octopuses, and fish." (2)

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The sea otter exhibit attracted not only SiowFong, Lydia, and Auntie MayLee but also some other visitors to the aquarium.

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A sea otter at rest

Note: "Sea otters love to float at the water's surface, lying on their backs in a posture of serene repose. They sleep this way, often gathered in groups. These charismatic animals often float in forests of kelp, or giant seaweed, in which they entangle themselves to provide anchorage in the swirling sea."(3)

Footnotes (1), (2), and (3): Source: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/sea-otter.html

Note: All of these photos were taken on June 18, 2009 at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, Oregon.

Photos: Oregon: Sea Life at Oregon Coast Aquarium

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Oregon Coast Aquarium Foto Fun Strips Booth

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Starfish and sea anemones

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A fish with a colorful pattern

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A jellyfish

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A sea anemone

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Is this a sea urchin, sea anemone, or something else?

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A fish with an interesting shape

Note: All of these pictures were taken on June 18, 2009 at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, Oregon.

Photos: Oregon: Oregon Coast Aquarium

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A volunteer at the aquarium describes some facts about starfish, which are living in this expansive, but shallow tank.

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Lydia, her mom, and her auntie MayLee are looking at an animal in an exhibit that is surrounded by a glass wall.

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Tunnel of sea life

SiowFong, Lydia, and Auntie MayLee are observing the fish and other sea creatures that are swimming in this massive aquarium whose perimeter forms the wall and ceiling of this corridor.

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Lydia touches a starfish.

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With her curiosity satisfied, Lydia looks content in her mother's arms.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on June 18, 2009 at the Oregon Coast Aquarium that is located at 2820 Se Ferry Slip Road in Newport, OR 97365.

Photos: Oregon: Beach Scenes

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Beach comber Lydia

Seal Rock State Park

Waldsport, Oregon

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June 17, 2009

Overleaf Lodge

Yachats, Oregon

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June 18, 2009

Overleaf Lodge

Yachats, Oregon

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Lydia, Auntie MayLee, and SiowFong are smiling for this picture.

June 18, 2009

Overleaf Lodge

Yachats, Oregon

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Lydia is exploring a part of the rocky coastline.

June 18, 2009

Overleaf Lodge

Yachats, Oregon

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Lydia, Auntie MayLee, and dad are on the trail from the parking lot to the beach.

Seal Rock State Park

Waldsport, Oregon

Photos: Oregon: Family Photos

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Lydia, Auntie MayLee, mom, and dad are sitting on a fence in the foreground with the Three Sisters in the background.

June 17, 2009

Field Across from Sisters Community Church

Sisters, Oregon

Photo note: Even at 10:03 AM, the summer sun is high enough in the sky such that it is casting some unwanted shadows on our faces.

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Dad, Auntie MayLee, Mom, and Lydia are sitting on a piece of large driftwood on the beach.

June 18, 2009

Seal Rock State Park

Waldport, Oregon

Photo note: An overcast day is lovely for portrait photography.

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A bench made of logs at this lookout not only gave us rest but also provided a lovely spot for another family picture.

June 17, 2009

Overlook at the head of the Metolius River

Forest Road 14 between US 20 / OR 126 and Camp Sherman in Central Oregon

Note: Since SiowFong's mom (Ma Wee) and all of SiowFong's siblings, nieces, and nephews reside in Australia, Malaysia, or Singapore, we are thankful whenever any of them make the very long journey to the United States to visit with us. Of all of SiowFong's relatives, none have been to America more than Auntie MayLee, who plans to return each June for a few weeks. We have greatly enjoyed her time with us this year and in past years and are looking forward to being with her again in future years.

Photos: Oregon: Scenes Outside Our Hotels

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Two patches of iridescence in the skies reflect in a pool of water at the beach near sunset

June 17, 2009

Overleaf Lodge

Yachats, Oregon

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Auntie MayLee, Lydia, and SiowFong take a morning walk after breakfast on this overcast day.

June 18, 2009

Overleaf Lodge

Yachats, Oregon

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Early morning image of the Columbia River

June 13, 2009

Vagabond Lodge

Hood River, Oregon

Note: "If you've got a banker's tastes but a teller's vacation budget, you can take advantage of the Vagabond Lodge's proximity to the Columbia Gorge Hotel and enjoy the latter's gardens and restaurant without breaking the bank..." (Frommer's Review)

Photo note: SiowFong enjoys taking landscape pictures that show layers of mountains, and she made this one around 6:30 AM today.

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The surf crashes onto the rocky beach that is next to Overleaf Lodge.

June 17, 2009

Overleaf Lodge

Yachats, Oregon

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The skies near sunset tonight

June 17, 2009

Overleaf Lodge

Yachats, Oregon