Path of (almost!) Totality

As you may know, the recent solar eclipse passed straight through the middle of Oregon.  For months, I'd been hearing nothing but predictions about the millions of people who would be traveling to our state for the big event.  The media broadcast dire warnings about overcrowded freeways, campgrounds and hotels, and also food and gas shortages etc, etc.......I was so sick of hearing about the stupid eclipse I couldn't wait until it was over so life could return to normal.

My office-mates and I model our eclipse glasses

Afraid of being caught in the traffic nightmares, most folks in the Portland Metro area planned to take the day off work.  The path of totality was about 40 miles to the south, so the expectation was that a huge amount of people would wake up and travel that direction Monday morning.

August 21st, the day of the big eclipse, I got up per normal and went to work.  Not having the required protective glasses, I planned to just peek out the window when time came to see if things went dark.  All the gloom and doom about traffic nightmares, and my commute was surprisingly easy.  There was hardly anyone on the roads, and the light rail train nearly empty.  Upon arrival at work, my friend Hollie asked if I'd join her outside to watch the eclipse.  She happened to have an extra pair of eclipse glasses.  Our office was a ghost town that day, so I decided why not?

Huge crowd in Waterfront Park

Hollie decided to walk 4 blocks to the Willamette River and stand on the Hawthorne Bridge, the closest open area to our office.  The eclipse was supposed to start around 9:06 am so we planned to head down shortly thereafter.  We invited Jake, one of our summer interns to join us (we were nearly the only three people at work that day).

In downtown Portland, the west bank of the Willamette River is lined by Waterfront Park, a wonderful green oasis in this dense urban environment.  As we ascended the Hawthorne Bridge's ramp, I was amazed to see a huge crowd already gathered in the park.  One local radio station had set up a sound system and was broadcasting lovely classical music.

Lots of people on the Hawthorne Bridge

The three of us donned our special glasses, looked up at the sun, and were astounded to see the eclipse already underway.  The moon had begun to move over the sun, taking a small "bite" out of it.  As things progressed, the sun began to look more and more like a pac-man.  Jake tried to use his cell phone to take a photo through his glasses.

Totally unprepared for the day (and not planning to watch the eclipse) I hadn't even brought a camera with me, and had only my cell phone to document this event.  Doh!

More crowd scenes from Waterfront Park

In between peeps of the rapidly shrinking sun through our glasses, we entertained ourselves watching the crowds.  It was quite a mix in the park - office people sneaking a break from their jobs, families, street people, even one parks bureau employee who sat on a nearby gas meter to watch the show. 

Around 10:15, the light started to dim.  It seemed like an overcast day, but the sky was still clear.  Very eerie!  We noticed the street lights had illuminated, and passing vehicles had turned their headlights on.  A cold wind began to blow across the bridge.  It was kind of spooky. 

The streetlights came on!

We gazed in wonder at the sky, totally amazed by what was happening.  The moon now nearly covered the sun, it's light just a mere sliver.  Although not in the path of totality, the eclipse in Portland was supposed to have 99.3% coverage.

After about two very short minutes, the moon began to move again, and the surrounding sky started lightening up.  Some of the crowd in the park below applauded.  And then as if there had been a signal, everyone began heading out of the park.

Mt Hood silhouetted on the darkened skyline

As Hollie, Jake and I walked back to our building, I noticed funny crescent-shaped shadows on the sidewalk.  It wasn't until later, seeing photographs on Facebook, that I realized those shadows were the eclipsing sun filtered through the trees.  Very cool phenomenon.  Wish I would've thought to take a photo!

Although I initially pooh-poohed the whole eclipse thing, in the end I'm very glad to have taken the time to experience it.  What a mesmerizing, unique, awesome natural event!  Now I understand why it's such a big deal.  Since the next total eclipse in the US passes right over Cincinnati, where one of my brothers lives, I may just have to go check it out.

Thanks Hollie for getting me out of the office!

Powell Butte

Before I begin my latest adventure tale, I'd like to say "thank you" to all my readers.  Thank you for visiting, commenting, and following my blog, either on Google Friend Connect, or my newly-established Facebook page.  Thanks to the folks who are frequent commenters, especially Kim at Snug Harbor Bay (who comments almost every time) and Hendrik at Hiking in Finland, who has featured some of my posts in his "Week in Review" compilations.

I'd love getting to know more of my readers, so if you're a regular visitor, please consider following my blog through Google Friend Connect, or "liking" Linda's Lens on Facebook (links on the right sidebar).  You'll receive a notification every time I update the blog.  And I really enjoy hearing from my readers, so please don't hesitate to leave a comment. 

Bright flowers along the path

Now on to today's story...... this is from two weekends ago.  After my amazing ski trip up to Illumination Saddle, I woke up the next day tired and sore.  Although skiing was in my plans for the day, it became quickly apparent this was not gonna happen. 

Poor Bear had to stay leashed

My dog Bear, however, had tons of energy.  While I was up on the mountain, he'd been napping in his doghouse.  Since today's ski trip was off, I decided to take my pup for a hike somewhere with the sole aim being to tire him out. 

Spring color

I'm still missing some of the Portland area trails in my quest to visit all of the hikes in Sullivan's "100 Hikes" book.  Not wanting to drive too far, I consulted my book for a new place to visit in the metro area.  I landed on Powell Butte Nature Park.  This park is located in far southeast Portland.  It occupies an old volcanic cone that sits high above the surrounding neighborhoods.  The Portland Water Bureau has a huge reservoir buried underneath this butte.  Not wanting any development over a critical water supply, PWB turned the hillside into a park.

Remnants of a pioneer orchard

It was a rare sunny, warm spring day.  Wishing to beat the heat, I decided to get an early start.  Upon arriving at the park, I realized being an early bird had other benefits - like getting a parking spot in a small, crowded lot.  As I was soon to discover, Powell Butte is a popular place on sunny weekend days.

Cool gnarled trees

Unfortunately for Bear, the park had very strict leash rules.  There was to be no romping and playing for my doggie.  But Bear was so happy to be somewhere new, he didn't care.  There were interesting things to smell, other dogs and people to meet, and abundant bushes to pee on.

Path through a lush forest

The park had many trail choices for hikers.  I first headed straight for the summit, where an old pioneer orchard still stands.  The families who originally settled here in the 1800s planted walnut, apple and pear trees.  The gnarled branches of the old trees are especially scenic.  The south and west side of the summit loop trail provided nice views into Portland.  The Cascade peaks of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens were visible to the north and east.  There was a picnic table on top, and this looked to be a great spot for a scenic lunch.

The dogwood trees were blooming

At the next junction, I chose the woodsy Mt. Hood trail, which dived into a lush forest of Douglas fir, bigleaf maple, and red cedar.  I felt as if I was entering the gorge or the forests near Mt. Hood, instead of a park within Portland city limits.  Temps were already heating up, and the cool shade of the trees was most welcome.  The path was even muddy and wet in many places.  The Mt. Hood trail was so nice, I extended my hike to include the next forested loop (the Cedar Grove trail, I think).

 

Lovely dogwood flower

Emerging from the pleasant wooded loops, the next path took visitors back into a broad meadow.  And, to my delight, this meadow was inhabited by several wild dogwood trees in full bloom.  I absolutely love dogwood flowers.  Out came the camera to capture some low-hanging blossoms.

 

Faint Mt St. Helens view

Three hours later, I returned to my car with a tired dog, and a few nice images in my camera.  By now it was near noon, and the place was hopping with people and dogs.  A car waited patiently for me to leave so it could take my parking spot.

I was glad to get outside and check out a new park with my pup.  Especially on a rare sunny spring day.  It's always fun to discover another pocket of wilderness so close to home!