We just returned from a visit to Portland Oregon. Our son is the coffee bean roaster at Upper Left Roasters.

This was our second visit and I can attest that there is never a dull moment in that part of the country!

 

 

 

 

We saw some mind boggling wildlife. In Astoria we saw at least 300 sea lions who park themselves on the boat slips and won’t be budged. Noisy barking creatures. Who needs Sea World?

One evening we sat in Portland with a few hundred people to watch thousands of migrating swifts careen around in the air before going inside a large chimney for the night. They go in like a spinning tornado. They do this during the month of September and unlike the sea lions will move along. Now I understand the name chimney swift.  In this not so good picture they look like smoke coming out but they were headed in.

We also watched the lunar eclipse.

Of course fiber was a part of this trip. Unfortunately this fiber arts center was closed but I did get to stand next to a Sasquatch sized crocheted person.

The Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival was held while I was there. I was able to spend it with a former East Coast spinner friend which was fantastic. My favorite part of any festival is the animals. We saw lots of animals including Pygora goat kids which are what young goats are called. The cutest little things.

A highlight was a goat obstacle course in which goats and their handlers go through various challenges. Goats being goats they were not too into it and the most fun was watching them balk and the handlers trying to get them to cooperate. The funniest I think was the woman who just picked up her 5 month old Pygora goat and weaved around poles carrying it.

One of my favorite acquisitions were these mohair locks. Mohair comes from angora goats. These locks were in a couple piles of glowing colors. Mohair has a nice sheen to it which, as with all fibers that have sheen, shows through the dye. I got to pick through the piles to take home just the colors I wanted.

We saw the coast and the mountains. Here is the beautiful Cannon Beach. I found the giant boulders fascinating because they dramatically rest on the sand in different groupings.

 

 

 

 

Then another day to Mount Hood! This was my view from the historic Timberline Lodge where I enjoyed sitting and knitting and reading about spinning as Steve and our son hiked. I had found that the hike- or maybe it is called a walk by some-from the parking lot up to the building was enough for me.

Next time a little more on Portland and yes a new feline friend!