Pacific City, Oregon- Day 1

From the mountains to the sea, we packed up fcamp and headed to the Pacific ocean, via Hood River and Erath Winery (home of my most favorite Pinot, ever!)


Haystack Rock is 1 mile from shore and 800 feet high- it looks so much closer!


There is a giant sand dune, similar to Jockey's Ridge in the Outer Banks.


The geology is just so fascinating!


In the ocean water is so blue (and super cold!)


It's beautiful in every direction!


We hiked around the rock formations and took it all in.


Everything is so different than anywhere I've ever lived!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Portland!!

Holy cow, I love, LOVE, Portland! Everyone I've met in the past 15 years has told me I'd love it- and they were right. This place has everything!


It has Emily- who I didn't see for so many years, and now we are having lunch in her neighborhood!


There is Charley- who is the best tour guide ever! We hiked a 6.5 mike trail around Multnomah Falls, with Wrigs, of course. Then we celebrated his birthday at a brewery. Win-win-win!


There is s great breakfast joint that even has a dog menu! I met Alan there, who I hadn't seen since grad school (2005!) He and his wife live in Portland and love it (who doesn't?!)


And then there is Mt. Hood! You can see the snowy cap from everywhere and it's so gorgeous. We drove up to Timberline and walked to the ski slopes. Snow in May, with scorching hot sun. Interesting!


And don't forget the amazing mountain lakes and trails! The Cascades are beautiful.



Charley took us to (breathtaking) Timothy Lake and set up camp.


It's kind of fun when it gets cold at night- I can resurrect all those warm duds I keep in the back of my closet!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Judicata 5k

Once again, Team Rookery represents!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve, Florida

The Education Team took a trip to Ponte Vedra Beach to visit the GTM Reserve. It's just north of St. Augustine and south of Jacksonville, on the Atlantic Coast.


We assisted with a 4th grade field trip out in the marsh. They let the students fly a drone to capture images of their research project that is not reachable on foot.


Many hours in a tiny car, staying in a dorm with bunk beds, kayaking around downtown St. Augustine, and enjoying local fare- it was a great bonding experience for the team!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Back to the Future car

Who knew I'd ever sit in the driver's seat of a De Lorean?


Even though the unpainted stainless steel body is ugly, the car was pretty amazing.


Some Leadership Collier colleagues and I participated in the iSTEM competition for the local school kids.


We posed for a pic with the Superintendent (also LC alumni!)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Girls night

Sometimes you just gotta put on a dress and go out somewhere fancy!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Tortoises

Just a day in the lives of Otis & Rosie. Nom nom nom!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad