{"id":3771,"date":"2015-10-21T01:31:54","date_gmt":"2015-10-21T00:31:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/?p=3771"},"modified":"2025-10-16T14:46:38","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T13:46:38","slug":"rediscovering-america-oregon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/?p=3771","title":{"rendered":"Rediscovering America:  Oregon"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The last four years have been given us amazing travel opportunities. \u00a0The world is full of interesting things to see; wonderful people to meet and get to know; and\u00a0of course this all translates to great video and photo opportunities.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"DSC03504_tonemapped2 copy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/8605848116\/in\/album-72157633126979295\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/8605848116_e8eb89f605_z.jpg?resize=640%2C261&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"DSC03504_tonemapped2 copy\" width=\"640\" height=\"261\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>Not only have we been able\u00a0to experience the vast deserts, wilderness and wildlife of Namibia, but also\u00a0pretty much the opposite in Chennai, India &#8211; with four times the inhabitants of all of Namibia, full of color, sound, smells &#8211; and sometimes chaos. \u00a0And of course lots of nearby destinations: \u00a0South Africa, Madagascar, Zimbabwe; Malaysia, Australia, Nepal and of course India itself. <a title=\"Durga Procession\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/15480490236\/in\/album-72157648429835782\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/15480490236_2074d9b06b_z.jpg?resize=640%2C409&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Durga Procession\" width=\"640\" height=\"409\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>But it&#8217;s always good to come home. \u00a0Coming home is mostly about seeing family and friends.\u00a0 But it&#8217;s also a period of rediscovery of our own country. \u00a0Not only all of the cultural aspects we have forgotten about or missed out on, but also some amazing natural beauty. \u00a0Often it is being away that helps us to &#8220;re-see&#8221; things we&#8217;d have otherwise taken for granted.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Sunset\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21793766498\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21793766498_e6c84f803c_z.jpg?resize=640%2C425&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Sunset\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>We spent nearly a month in Oregon. People sometimes talk about the Oregon rain, but in a way Oregon is a kind of sampler of many of the things America has to offer: deserts, mountains, coastline, rain forests, volcanoes, gorges, white water&#8230;the list goes on. We didn&#8217;t even begin to touch on all the variety Oregon has to offer, but what follows are a few snapshots of a few simple day- and weekend trips we took.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\u00a0 <strong>Coyote Creek<\/strong>\u00a0 Coyote Creek is just a simple creek, one of several that feeds in to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nwp.usace.army.mil\/Locations\/WillametteValley\/FernRidge.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Fern Ridge Reservoir<\/a>, about 12 miles west of Eugene. \u00a0For a few dollars you can <a href=\"http:\/\/www.oregonpaddlesports.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">rent a kayak<\/a>\u00a0or two like we did, get up before dawn, and drop in near where the creek goes under the railroad bridge, on the southeast end of the lake. <a title=\"Sunrise\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21793762318\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21793762318_339e5afc92_z.jpg?resize=640%2C425&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Sunrise\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Hitting the creek early made for some good photo ops as the sun rose and highlighted the mist rising of the creek.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Reflections\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21981610605\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21981610605_ab4ca6c50d_z.jpg?resize=640%2C425&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Reflections\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We saw a family of raccoons washing a snack before bed. \u00a0And having missed breakfast we were happy to help ourselves to the abundant berries growing along the banks!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC_0844.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3777\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC_0844.jpg?resize=600%2C400&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"DSC_0844\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC_0844.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC_0844.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC_0844.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC_0844.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Berries\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21360463283\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21360463283_e1e8e7f8b6_z.jpg?resize=640%2C425&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Berries\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>We paddled as far south as we could until fallen trees eventually forced us to turn back. \u00a0We saw some sort of birds constantly flitting in and out from underneath the railroad bridge and decided to go in for a closer look. \u00a0It turned out to be swallows &#8211; loads of young swallows who appeared to be just learning how to fly! \u00a0In between flights they would hang out at their nests, and the adults would stop by and encourage them to fly again. <a title=\"Learning to Fly\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21794694779\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21794694779_73eab03052_z.jpg?resize=640%2C425&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Learning to Fly\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>We followed the creek a bit to the north, as it gradually merged with the lake. The channel continued for about another half mile and we could tell all sorts of waterbirds called the area home. We didn&#8217;t get any really noteworthy shots of the waterbirds. But we managed to sneak up really close to some birdwatchers before being noticed!<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Photographers\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21793474880\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21793474880_fbae8201a3_z.jpg?resize=640%2C425&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Photographers\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230;and then we loaded up and headed back to the house. \u00a0It was still early in the day so we had breakfast, and headed out to&#8230;.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Waldo Lake \u00a0<\/strong>Waldo Lake is a 10-mile long lake that is entirely spring-fed, off-limits to motorized boats, and surrounded by dense forest. \u00a0It is amazingly clear and clean, and we went there because I wanted someplace I could safely swim. \u00a0An amazing experience to swim in this lake &#8211; I had forgotten my goggles (but not my wetsuit &#8211; an absolute must!) but it didn&#8217;t matter &#8211; the water is so clean you can just open your eyes while you swim and it looks like you are soaring 80 feet above the lake bottom!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC_1016.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3780\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC_1016.jpg?resize=600%2C408&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"DSC_1016\" width=\"600\" height=\"408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC_1016.jpg?resize=600%2C408&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC_1016.jpg?resize=300%2C204&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC_1016.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC_1016.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The north end of the lake looked like it had been the site of a forest fire sometime in the last couple of years, and it looked like an interesting place to snap photos, so we went to check it out.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Lake Waldo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21794810239\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21794810239_ec9edc6699_z.jpg?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Lake Waldo\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>It turns out that this forest fire took place in 1996! \u00a0This is what a forest looks like after 20 years of recovery. <a title=\"Reflecting Shore\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21981725425\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21981725425_2431fbcbd2_z.jpg?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Reflecting Shore\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><a title=\"New life\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21358962364\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21358962364_e13c0ddcc9_z.jpg?resize=640%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"New life\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Despite the mostly lifeless trees, we still spotted some wildlife &#8211; such as this American marten.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Marten\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21360560243\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21360560243_7fd6887d51_z.jpg?resize=446%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Marten\" width=\"446\" height=\"640\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>&#8230;and despite the fact that the extremely low nutrient level (the reason it is so clear!) means there is very little life in the lake itself. But these dragonflies that landed on our kayak were working on creating more&#8230; <a title=\"Dragonflies\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21794817179\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21794817179_b31a7a62bf_z.jpg?resize=640%2C441&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Dragonflies\" width=\"640\" height=\"441\" \/><\/a> \u00a0 It was a great trip, and I hope to be able to visit Waldo Lake again!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\u00a0<script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><strong>McKenzie Bike Trail \u00a0<\/strong>We also took a couple of trips to one of my favorite places in Oregon &#8211; the McKenzie River. \u00a0One of the things you can do at the McKenzie River is rent a mountain bike and ride it down the <a href=\"http:\/\/mckenzierivertrail.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">McKenzie River Trail.<\/a>\u00a0 For a reasonable fee, the folks at the <a href=\"http:\/\/mckenzierivertrail.com\/shuttle-service\" target=\"_blank\">McKenzie River Mountain Resort<\/a>\u00a0will rent you a bike and drive you to the top of the 26-mile trail, or approximately to the halfway point. \u00a0Even though it&#8217;s generally downhill, I definitely recommend not attempting the full 26 miles if you don&#8217;t ride trails quite often.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Fern\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21360484023\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21360484023_7a3340983e_z.jpg?resize=640%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Fern\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><a title=\"McKenzie River\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21793498000\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21793498000_2c3f7cfa63_z.jpg?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"McKenzie River\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The trail, rated among America&#8217;s top biking trails, generally runs along the river, sometimes with a treacherous drop-off. It&#8217;s not limited to cyclists so watch out for hikers, and bring plenty of water!<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Reflection\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21793775758\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21793775758_a1afc2da43_z.jpg?resize=480%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Reflection\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>Some people try and ride the trail as quickly as they can but I recommend taking it slow and stopping for photo-ops along the way. \u00a0If you&#8217;re interested in seeing what a ride down this trail (albeit pretty slowly) looks like, you can check out the video below.  https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xgdvkCnBCl8?rel=0<\/p>\n<p>After we finished our ride, we were pretty sore&#8230;and hungry! \u00a0Neither of us are big meat eaters&#8230;but for some strange reason, the entire bike ride, I kept thinking about barbecued cheeseburgers. \u00a0At one point I could have even sworn I could smell somebody grilling them. \u00a0So naturally when we were done, all I wanted was a burger. \u00a0So we checked out Yelp and read reports on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.takodasrainbow.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Takoda&#8217;s Restaurant.<\/a>\u00a0 Supposedly they had a nice outside terrace and good food. \u00a0My verdict: \u00a0if you do this bike ride YOU NEED TO GO TO TAKODA&#8217;S AFTERWARD. \u00a0Yes, it was that good&#8230;. \u00a0If you&#8217;re in a hurry, you can go into the shop at the gas station next door and buy what they call &#8220;chicken on a stick.&#8221; \u00a0People were raving about it online and we had to try that as well. \u00a0MUST EAT!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\u00a0 <strong>McKenzie River Rafting<\/strong>\u00a0 &#8230;let&#8217;s not forget about river rafting! \u00a0We had a fun, refreshing and generally wet trip down the McKenzie River with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.highcountryexpeditions.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">High Country Expeditions.<\/a>\u00a0 With an excellent guide who made sure we were safe and who told us about the local area, we managed for the most part to stay inside the raft. <a title=\"White Water\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21981701565\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21981701565_e155d5ce6f_z.jpg?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"White Water\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"White Water\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21794793639\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21794793639_7a622a5753_z.jpg?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"White Water\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>As in the case of the bike ride, I brought along a GoPro camera and made a short video of the trip!  https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lWON5mhWHSE?rel=0 <strong>Proxy Falls \u00a0<\/strong>Last but not least, if you do make a trip up to the McKenzie, it&#8217;s worth stopping by some of the local trails and\/or waterfalls. \u00a0We visited <a href=\"http:\/\/www.waterfallsnorthwest.com\/nws\/falls.php?num=4265\" target=\"_blank\">Proxy Falls<\/a> &#8211; a couple of spectacular sets of falls on a total of about 1 mile worth of trail &#8211; definitely worth seeing! <a title=\"McKenzie Trail\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21793870978\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21793870978_08c4132ce0_z.jpg?resize=640%2C425&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"McKenzie Trail\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>On the hike we were wearing Vibram FiveFingers (&#8220;toe shoes&#8221;). But the paths were so smooth, sandy and warm that I felt inspired to walk barefoot. As we clambered down to the base of the falls, the paths turned rocky but by then I had gotten so many odd stares by hikers in giant steel-toed hiking boots I decided to just go with it. It was fine until I stepped in the water, which was icy cold!<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Forest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21793869198\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21793869198_d8e0bfbc35_z.jpg?resize=640%2C425&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Forest\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><a title=\"Triple Falls\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21794799719\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21794799719_3b90a1274e_z.jpg?resize=640%2C425&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Triple Falls\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>It is difficult to convey the magnitude of these falls using photographs. There were several photographers there with tripods just clicking away. if you look carefully in the photo below you can see someone standing below the falls, which gives an idea.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Waterfall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21794803159\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21794803159_ae1255d753_z.jpg?resize=425%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Waterfall\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><a title=\"Waterfall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21955536696\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21955536696_d0682b6a3e_z.jpg?resize=425%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Waterfall\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>We had a great time hiking below, and climbing along the edges of these falls, keeping cool in the Oregon forest. \u00a0The short video clip below tries to convey again the scale and grandeur of Proxy Falls. \u00a0But it&#8217;s best seen in person!<\/p>\n<p> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1HNstptD934?rel=0<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;so that pretty much covers our &#8220;summer vacation&#8221; &#8211; getting to know our home state and country again after years spent living abroad. \u00a0After our 3 weeks in Oregon, it was time to head back to the East Coast, where we&#8217;ll spend about half a year boning up on our French language abilities. \u00a0And then we&#8217;ll be off to Madagascar, where we&#8217;ll be sure to have lots to share!!<\/p>\n<p>To see other photos from our &#8220;summer vacation&#8221; in Oregon, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/\" target=\"_blank\">this set on Flickr.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Waterfall Selfie\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/21794797769\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/21794797769_45080d1057_z.jpg?resize=480%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Waterfall Selfie\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The last four years have been given us amazing travel opportunities. \u00a0The world is full of interesting things to see; wonderful people to meet and get to know; and\u00a0of course this all translates to great video and photo opportunities. Not only have we been able\u00a0to experience the vast deserts, wilderness and wildlife of Namibia, but [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[923],"tags":[1741,1750,1751,1558,1742,1746,1745,341,921,1744,1747,1749,1743,1748],"class_list":["post-3771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-home-leave-2","tag-coyote-creek","tag-eugene","tag-fern-ridge","tag-hiking","tag-kayak","tag-mckenzie","tag-mountain-bike-trail","tag-nature","tag-oregon","tag-proxy-falls","tag-rafting","tag-takodas","tag-waldo-lake","tag-white-water"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3771"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3771\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6697,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3771\/revisions\/6697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}