As a child when we spent summers visiting relatives in Orofino, Idaho a highlight was to drive up in the evening to Konkolville and view the pretty lights that illuminated from the fountain in front of the Konkol mansion. At this place east of Orofino Mr. Konkol built a lumber mill then later added a steakhouse and motel. The place became Konkolville. I had a nostalgic flashback the other evening at our motel in Astoria, Oregon. Below our room was a fountain that illuminated the night just like the one I remember from my childhood. I enjoyed watching the fountain change throughout the evening as I snapped pictures.
Today we traveled along the northern coast of the Pacific Ocean. The weather started out cloudy and cool, but the sun came out as we headed south along Highway 101. We took time to stop a few places to capture photo images. The day ended with the family gathering at a beach house and celebrating the nineteenth birthday of The Princess. Happy Birthday Princess!
(click the collage for larger views of the pictures) After finding a drive-thru Starbucks in Hood River, shopping and snapping pictures at Multomah Falls, taking a few unforeseen detours in Portland, touring the Freemont district, meeting a helpful man at a Shell station, taking a trip across the bridge into Washington, discovering a beautiful rest area, walking the dogs, returning to Oregon across the bridge at Longview,realizing what a good co-pilot my mom can be, finding our motel, appreciating the Columbia River as it nears the Pacific Ocean, and relaxing and enjoying the views above with JEJ, Mom, and the dogs it is time to rest.
Today JEJ and I loaded up the dogs and met up with my mom along the way as we began our road trip to the Oregon Coast. Obviously we hadn't been past Spokane for quite awhile together traveling I-90 since none of could remember the last time we had even been in Ritzville, let alone the Tri-Cities. Mom and I found a great place to shop in Ritzville. These horses and the wagon are made out of horseshoes!Even though it was very windy, the first part of the Columbia Gorge was beautiful in the late afternoon. Our first leg of the journey ended with a stop in The Dalles. I think the dogs were ready to have a change of landscape by the end of the day.
Ipomoeaindica otherwise known as morning glory has made the first appearance at our house this summer. Last year the seeds never even sprouted. This year we had seen healthy leaves, but were hoping for blossoms.They didn't disappoint us! They are called morning glory for a reason. I had to be out around the outside of the house in my pjs this morning trying to catch good pictures.
I want to make poems that say right out, plainly,
what I mean, that don't go looking for the
laces of elaboration, puffed sleeves. I want to
keep close and use often words like
heavy, heart, joy, soon, and to cherish
the question mark and her bold sister
the dash. I want to write with quiet hands. I
want to write while crossing the fields that are
fresh with daises and everlasting and the
ordinary grass. I want to make poems while thinking of
the bread of heaven and the
cup of astonishment; let them be
songs in which nothing is neglected,
not a hope, not a promise. I want to make poems
that look into the earth and the heavens
and see the unseeable. I want them to honor
both the heart of faith, and the light of the world;
the gladness that says, without any words, everything.
As a child when we spent summers visiting relatives in Orofino, Idaho a highlight was to drive up in the evening to Konkolville and view the pretty lights that illuminated from the fountain in front of the Konkol mansion. At this place east of Orofino Mr. Konkol built a lumber mill then later added a steakhouse and motel. The place became Konkolville. 
I had a nostalgic flashback the other evening at our motel in Astoria, Oregon. Below our room was a fountain that illuminated the night just like the one I remember from my childhood. I enjoyed watching the fountain change throughout the evening as I snapped pictures.
