“Dear Lord, help me to remember that you gave me life. Teach me to slow down, to be still and enjoy the pleasures You created for me–to be aware of the beauty that surrounds me: the marvel of mountains, the calmness of lakes, the fragility of a flower petal. I need to remember all these things come from You. ”
Another backpacking trip with Bob into the Elkhorn Mountains, This spectacular alpine setting is only an hour’s drive from La Grande. Alluring hikes to wildflower basins and granite peaks abound. We have often seen mountain goats. Angell Basin is just one of many places to explore.
“All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small…”
The. ever wondrous time of a sunrise in the Grande Ronde Valley
Bob, my hiking partner of nearly twenty years and I backpacked to the high alpine country above Anthony Lake and Hoffer Lake. The basin where we camped receives little use because the approach is steep and obscure. Two tarns and meadow wildflowers amidst granite boulders add to the beauty.
After setting up camp, we hiked up formitable gulley. Terrain and balance challenged us, but the top was rewarding: mountain goats and great views!
The huckleberries are thick this year. I find it so relaxing simply focused on the berries with nothing else to interrupt my thinking–other than Leif slurping up some berries! (And the Indian paintbrush are gorgeous as well)
Rarely does one see a sunset rainbow–the timing of late evening sun, clouds, rain, and color all have to come together for a very brief time. Last night, it all happened!
My hiking partner, Bob, and I camped off the road the travels around the backside of Anthony Lake. The view looked over Chicken Hill and the source. of the. Grande Ronde River. The location was tranquil.
I pitched my tent toward the northwest, where I had hoped to photographed it lighted up with the neowise comet above it. Unfortunately, the moon was too bright for the comet to show up well, although it was visible through my binoculars.
However, the placement was absolutely perfect for the sunset. The colors developed first along the horizon. Then beautiful pink clouds formed to the northeast. And, finally, the moon was perfect for this time of evening. This sunset was one of the best I have ever enjoyed.
The Comet NEOWISE has certainly lifted our eyes and our spirits. I have been out twice so far to see it. I am profoundly stirred as I think of how it moves in our solar system, amidst the vast dimensions and silence of space, known only–and filled–by Creator God.
(PS I took this image with my iPhone 11Pro, half firmly against the roof of my car for four second, looking towards Mt Emily in the Grande Ronde Valley.)
Comet NEOWISE watching at Morgan Lake Oregon. I took the sunset pictures. Son Michael, who is a better photographer but not as prolific, took the very cool comet pictures. Be sure your screen is at maximum brightness for the Comet NEOWISE images.
