Bald Hill Evening Walk

IMG_6686

Heather and I went on a walk up Bald Hill this evening.  The sun was shining, it was the perfect temperature for a walk, the grass was green, and the trees were just leafing out.  Perfection!

IMG_6687

The old Bald Hill Farm.  The Greenbelt Land Trust is trying to buy the property so that it does not get developed.  This is a double-edged sword.  While it is good for the town to have a greenbelt, it is also bad for the town in that the greenbelt almost completely encircles Corvallis, effectively limiting all future growth and expansion.  At least current home owners know that their property values will always increase?

IMG_6688 IMG_6689

Many flowers were blooming along the trail through the wet meadows and fields owned by the farm.

IMG_6690 IMG_6691 IMG_6692

IMG_6695

Heather enjoyed a bench while I took photos of flowers.

IMG_6697 STA_6699-STG_6705

On top of Bald Hill looking toward Marys Peak.  Not a cloud in the sky today!


IMG_6711

On top of Bald Hill.

IMG_6712

Looking out toward Corvallis.

IMG_6714

These are special trees.  I have never seen larger madrones anywhere.  The trunks of this cluster of madrone trees each span 5-8 feet making them some of the largest on the west coast.

IMG_6715

They reach toward the sky in the midst of a grove of relatively young douglas fir trees.

IMG_6716

Heather standing next to one of the smaller trees for size comparison.

IMG_6717

The old barn on the north shoulder of Bald Hill.

IMG_6719

Such a great grass field to roll around in!

IMG_6720

The sun has set.

IMG_6724Heather looking out toward Corvallis and the nearly full moon.


IMG_6734The full moon and Corvallis behind us.


IMG_6737 IMG_6738

Goodnight Wednesday!

Nature walk with Heather and my mom at the ranch

IMG_6619Heather and I joined my mom for a hike on the trails at my parents’ ranch.  The woods were all abloom with wildflowers.


IMG_6621 IMG_6622 IMG_6623 IMG_6624 IMG_6625IMG_6627 IMG_6628 IMG_6629

The creek that runs through one part of the property.

IMG_6630 IMG_6631 IMG_6632

Spring has sprung in the forest.

IMG_6633 IMG_6634

An old stand of vine maple.  The leaves were incredibly soft.

IMG_6638 IMG_6639

It felt like we were walking through a jungle.

IMG_6640 IMG_6641 IMG_6642 IMG_6643 IMG_6644 IMG_6645 IMG_6646 IMG_6647 IMG_6648 IMG_6649 IMG_6650
IMG_6653 IMG_6654Heather found a little newt out on the back part of the property.

IMG_6655IMG_6658IMG_6660 IMG_6661

Goddard said hello from the pasture.  We searched for morel mushrooms and found a few.
IMG_6663

Some of the ladies came by to say hello as well.

IMG_6665IMG_6615 IMG_6616 IMG_6617