As I write this post, I am in a small cabin at the summit of Willamette Pass in central Oregon State (USA) 5,000 ft. above sea level and surrounded by the Deschutes National Forest. Nearby, the cold sparkling water of Crescent Creek flows by our camp.
Once again, my sister Diana, & brother-in-law, Les host me and their daughter Marie at camp and take us out in their boat (with all the gear) to guide us on the search for Kokanee trout in Odell Lake.
Marie & I had our lines in the water at 7:00 and when we all decided to head in at 10:30, we had brought in 26 nice sized fish. In our family, fishing is a team sport; it required Les navigating the boat to happy fishing grounds, and dear Diana netting 26 unhappy fish.
Marie and I went right to work cleaning and packaging our harvest!
In the afternoon Daisy took me on a nice (though hot) walk through the forest. The trees are Lodgepole Pine, and several varieties of Spruce. I knew Blue Spruce (Daisy is walking by one) and with the help of Picture This, I learned there are Engelmann spruce and White spruce here also. Maybe others. The two little ones (Center above) are White spruce behind Lodgepole pine. This forests is a jumble of old, young, seedlings and dead trees in meadows of grass and underbrush. These majestic stands of evergreens provide quiet and calm for the human spirit at the same time they supply food and shelter for other living creatures.
Lindy Low LeCoq 
Beautiful forest views all around, Lindy! The creek view and the view from the boat were wonderful. All this beauty and you still had time to get some food, too. Excellent post!
Beautiful woods and water! After our devastating floods, I am now getting back to the off-leash dog park on the Guadalupe River, and I (and Junior) can breathe properly again. It will be long time for any kind of “normal” to return to the Texas Hill Country, but this tiny victory–a morning walk along the river with my dog–is precious. Please keep those who lost everything, including whole families, in your thoughts.
Oh, Jill I’m so sorry for you and your neighbors. The visuals from the area are heartbreaking.
That you are now able to have one small return to almost normal is a good start. My heart goes out to you, and all who have been affected by the flood.💕🐾