2014 in pictures

Has a year gone by already since I posted 2013 in pictures? How can this be? Whatevs. Here we go.

January

New Year’s day at Neptune Beach (Oops. You can tell that’s not an Oregon wine, can’t you? My bad.)

Happy Dog contemplates eternity

Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic, Lincoln City

Pictures of people taking pictures of people . . . surfing. Their cameras were much, much bigger and better than mine. See what they were taking pictures of.

February

Surfrider Foundation table — Every February, at the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival, Husband and I pour Barefoot Wine for the Newport Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. It’s the biggest fundraiser of the year: Barefoot donates all proceeds from the Festival to our Chapter. Thank you, Barefoot!

That’s the best one, right there. The Harmony Gewurtztraminer. You should buy a case.

Bare feet in water and sand — Can you tell that’s not Pacific seawater?

I wish the Oregon coast had these. Have you guessed yet where I was?

Manatees! They’re swarming!

Party poopers.

According to this sign, swimming with the manatees is not, in fact, prohibited. However, this would be more than enough deterrent to keep me out of the water, manatees or no.

Hardly any of the almost one hundred manatees we saw were without scars–even the small calves. They all get sliced up by motorboat propellers.

A geo-tagged manatee swims across the source of Blue Spring. Several manatees were trailing these satellite tracking devices.

Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about! Timing is everything. I’m so glad we got to see this big boy. I was hoping for a giant flock of flamingos, but I only saw a pair flying over. (at Merritt Island NWR)

Thanks, mom & dad, for a fabulous vacation!

March

My friend Denise came to visit in March. First I took her to the stupendously gorgeous labyrinth at Good Sam Episcopal Church in Corvallis.

Then we went to the beach.

Then we tasted wine.

Then we played Monopoly. I lost.

April

Easter egg balanced on end — Did you know you can do this on any day of the year–not just the equinoxes?

It’s Easter. So, naturally, we went to the beach. I wore my camouflage boots.

That’s a big f*ing wave.

Volunteering at the annual Oregon Garden Brewfest

This is why we volunteer there.

May

June

Happy Husband and Happy Dog climbed the dune at Cape Kiwanda. I sat on my ass at the Pelican, drank beer and watched the ocean.

It’s entirely possible they’re up on the dune somewhere. Who knows?

Sunday afternoon picnic at Illahe Vineyards.

Otter Rock-n-Roll Youth Surf Contest

July

Happy Dog and I took a day trip to the coast.

We dragged my parents around the top of Cape Perpetua. Looking south, you can see the Spouting Horn . . . um . . . spouting.

Dad tasted some delicious Illahe wines.

Gratuitous plug for Illahe wines.

I hate the thought of wasting even a drop.

Then we dragged mom and dad up Salal Hill on Yaquina Head.

peregrine falcon on hillside — We watched one of the Yaquina Head resident peregrine falcons as it ate something.

Puppy and I took our day trip to Erratic Rock State Park.

There’s a sight you don’t see every day. Unless you live in Astoria and hang out at Buoy Beer Company on the riverfront.

View of Astoria from the top of the Astoria Column — Astoria from the top of the Column

Hydrangea — They grow ’em bigger and bluer in Astoria.

August

Time for our annual camp-out at Airlie Winery.

Man's feet and dog with lake and tents in background — Husband and Puppy enjoy the evening

Technically, this is not what the wind shelter should look like.

Cape Kiwanda — It doesn’t look that windy, does it?

September

Ah, the infamous Tesla test drive in Lincoln City.

Me and Laney at Emerson — Emerson Vineyard hotties on Labor Day weekend

One of our favorite places to take friends: Nana’s Irish Pub in Newport

Man and dog overlooking lighthouse and ocean — Of course, we also like to take them up Salal Hill on Yaquina Head.

People on patio at brewpub — We drag everyone to the Pelican.

October

Woman harvesting grapes — Harvesting the Maréchal Foch at Emerson Vineyards

Emerson’s winemaker, Elliot Johns

Grapes falling into bin — Our grapes getting de-stemmed

Sunset at Nehalem Bay State Park

View south from Ecola State Park

Not-so-Happy Dog wondering, “Why, mommy, why?”

November

Proposal Rock at Neskowin — Evening in Neskowin

It’s November: must be time to climb the dune. Again.

Although it would appear this photo was taken from inside the pot of gold, I’m here to tell you there was neither pot nor gold anywhere in sight.

Waves, rocks, spray, ocean — The Spouting Horn was in fine form at this very high tide.

Thanksgiving: Oregon style

So my brother visited us over Thanksgiving. Our first beach day was a little wet.

Did I say “a little wet?” I meant stupid crazy wet. As in our clothes didn’t dry out the rest of the day wet.

F*ing leash.

Our second beach day was a huge improvement.

And I finally got to see what’s on the other side of the Cape Kiwanda dune! OK, I cheated and only went part of the way up. Still.

Back at Illahe Vineyards

It’s never too cold to drink wine on the patio at Illahe.
(Photo courtesy Illahe Vineyards)

December

Christmas in The Garden

Husband’s arty interpretation of our Christmas tree

Our little guy is growing up.

Nothing says Christmas like hiking in Sedona.

One of my favorite things to do when I travel anywhere is walk the local labyrinths.

Watching Husband play with cactus is pretty entertaining as well.

Thank you, Arizona mom & dad, for a wonderful Christmas trip!

4 thoughts on “2014 in pictures”

Julia Young Lorion says:

February 1, 2015 at 8:14 pm

Fun and beautiful photos! You were on the go in 2014! Good for you!

1. My True North says:
  
  February 1, 2015 at 8:35 pm
  
  When I compress it all into a photo post, it sure seems like it!
  
Teryl says:

February 1, 2015 at 5:00 am

Thanks for sharing! Looks like you had a wonderful year. May this one be just as awesome!

1. My True North says:
  
  February 1, 2015 at 1:19 pm
  
  Thanks for reading, Teryl. Miss you and hope you’re doing well!