"I started photographing my domestic world and writing not just about what I had made,
but why I made it, examining the thoughts that accompany creativity and the act of making."
Jane Brocket from The Gentle Art of Domesticity p. 189 UK edition

Monday, September 2, 2013

Across the Plains to Oregon




My oldest sister, Carolyn and I were able to visit Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Overland Park, Kansas, on our way back to Oregon.  My childhood friend who is now known by some as Father Tom, is a member of the parish.  He is the one I have mentioned doing some proof-reading for in his translation project over the last two years.  He has completed translating the New Testament and the Service Book of the Orthodox Church as well.  While the Greek he translated is still Greek to me, I am appreciating reading his translation which often presents a fresh way of considering the meaning of Scripture.




Grain silos are the lighthouses of the vast western prairies of the USA.  I was both surprised and delighted to see not only amber waves of grain, but wonderful waves of sunflowers, too.





Rolling along the prairie in our mini-van, I found myself envisioning what it might have been like for the pioneers who rode horses or rolled along in prairie schooners to explore and develop the magnificent, vast, prairie land; and when we stopped at a Lewis and Clarke overlook of the Missouri River and I saw the sign warning of poisonous snakes, I was reminded of just how perilous pioneering can be...even now!





One of my objectives in driving to Nebraska and back was to see Mt. Rushmore up close and personal!  My friend, Fran, had warned me before I left Oregon that I might be disappointed when I saw the sculpted presidential faces because they might seem smaller than the zoomed in photos I had seen before I arrived.  While I understand what she meant, I was none-the-less impressed by the massive size of the sculptures which are located a bit south of Rapid City, South Dakota.  The park literature stated that there are mountain goats within the park and we were very excited to see two on the way out of the park.  In defense of our poor quality photo of them, please note that to get this shot we obeyed the sign which stated "No Parking or Standing or Stopping at any Time" :)


One of the sobering stops we made along the way was in Garryowen, Montana, where the Battle of the Little Big Horn began at Sitting Bull's Camp.  The Custer Battlefield Museum had an extensive collection of books for sale, but this one caught my eye as being one that will help me think through and better appreciate the heritage, present, and future of Native Americans.






Our last stop was a delightful visit with fellow blogger-friend, Betsy Queen in Spokane, Washington.
Betsy, her husband, Dennis, and their sweet pet, Cloe, graciously welcomed us into their beautiful home.  Betsy's current charity project is stitching mittens and hats for children in Spokane who need them. Among the groups she stitches with is a group that meets at a great store, Paradise Fibers.  I had heard of Paradise Fibers before, so especially enjoyed going to visit the store with Betsy.




Then before we knew it we were driving over the high prairie land of Washington, and down along the mighty Columbia River, until we arrived home near Mt. Hood in Boring, Oregon, where we are recovering from and enjoying the memory of driving over 4000 miles round trip.  After sorting through nearly three weeks worth of mail, unpacking, and doing laundry, I am almost ready to sort through my button collection for buttons to sew onto my crocheted cane coat, and crochet more rows on my shawl, and crochet a baby cocoon for my newest granddaughter, Rosie, who is due to arrive at the end of October!

What are you almost ready to do :)

Gracie xx


30 comments:

  1. Loved joining you on this trip Gracie ♥ Just had a quick trip to see one of my boys ☺

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  2. What a nice trip you had! That project of Father Tom's sounds really interesting; I don't know any Greek myself but I think translation is interesting. My son is currently reading a kids' novel about Lewis and Clark from the point of view of a dog on the journey. The fiber shop looks wonderful, I can imagine you loved it. :)

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  3. I'm so glad you and your sister made it home safely! Has she decided to move up here? Did you go into the Mt. Rushmore park? I can't believe it when people say they aren't impressed with it.. I was totally blown away by it and loved it immensely!! You sure did make tracks! I look forward to seeing you and the girls next month! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  4. Wonderful road trip you have been on. I would love to visit mount Rushmore.

    Good to have you back!

    Helenxx

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  5. Wow Gracie. I'm amazed how much you have done this summer. I'm so glad you made home safe and is now enjoying the quiet surrounds of home. I'm sure you and your sister had a great time together. Can't wait to see you girls next month.

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  6. Welcome back! I'm so glad that you had such a good and interesting time. I had to laugh that you found yourself in a yarn shop. When I saw the pic I had a little chuckle! Thanks for making us stop for a moment and think about our heritage. You are right about the poisonous snakes sign. It's sometimes too easy, I fear, to romantices

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  7. Sorry iPad played up and wouldn't let me correct. Just wanted to finish hoping the settling back in goes ok. Joan

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  8. Gracie, what a fantastic trip with so many wonderful memorizes. I love all of your pictures, and I am fascinated with the ones of Mount Rushmore, I have not seen it in person, but I think it is amazing that the faces are carved out of the side of a mountain, whether they are smaller in person or not, it is an amazing feat. Love that you got to spend time with Betsy and see her wonderful yarn store, I am a bit zealous she has access to all that yarn. But the mist important thing is you are home safe and sound.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  9. What a fabulous trip Gracie!!! Oh the memories!!!! I hope you kept a journal along the way!!
    xo Kris

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  10. Beautiful pictures Gracie. I only wish our visit had been longer. It was a joy to have you and Carolyn visit our home. I wish our slumber party had lasted longer. I've been on that drive and stopped at those exact places more times than I can remember so it was nice to relive those moments with you through the photos. Mt. Rushmore is one of my very favorite places to visit. Especially the night lighting show. Very patriotic and moving. I'm glad you're home, safe and sound in your cozy nest.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  11. So interesting to read about your trip, Gracie! Thank you!
    My husband is going to visit The USA next month, we have never been to America before...he looks forward to visiting there!

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  12. What a wonderful and varied trip you had Gracie - your pics are so good - I am blown away by that beautiful church. Your lovely posts are always so educational, thank you!
    Joy xo

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  13. Another great trip you have had, and some great photos.

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  14. I love your road trips, I always feel like I was kind of on it when I journey through the photos. Thanks for catching up with my blog, You must have lots to do now you are back. Want to see a baby cocoon, never seen one before. Jo x

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  15. Oh Gracie what an amazing trip and experience. I would so love to have done that. The fibre store looks brilliant I could while away a few hours there methinks.
    I am getting ready to go to an Open Evening at the Community Centre tomorrow evening (Thursday) new classes start next week and I am going to be holding monthly card making workshops - if we get any customers!!! Hugs Anne x

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  16. Great photos Gracie! I had never seen a photo of Mt Rushmore from that angle before. Now I really want to see it! My forefathers (and mothers) were much braver folks than I--it was scary just seeing the sign about the poisonous snakes...ick!
    Was just in Boring this weekend delivering prunes from our garden. Mt Hood definitely needs some snow:)
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  17. Have thoroughly enjoyed sharing your trip with you via your photo's Gracie! It looks like you have had a great time :) I am particularly in awe of that yarn store - it looked fab, also being a huge fan of the film "North by Northwest", I would love to see Mt.Rushmore up close, I am very jealous of you :)
    Hope you take time to relax now.....oh, and have some time to finish your shawl ;)

    Hugs and best wishes

    Sarah x

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  18. What an amazing tour...and such lovely photos. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  19. Wow Paradise Fibers looks amazing! Like a little treasure trove of goodness :)

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  20. Hi Gracie,
    Those fields of sunflowers look amazing. It must have been so hard for those first settlers arriving in the priaries. I glad you didn't meet any posionous snakes! It have been amazing to visit Mt. Rushmore too.
    Sarah x

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  21. What a wonderful journey! I've never seen Mount Rushmore and your photos of it show how massive it is. I just enjoyed the whole journey with you and I hope the book you picked up gives you a good understanding of the plight of today's Native Americans. Enjoy your time back home in Oregon, which by the way is not boring to me. I think you have one of the most beautiful coastlines anywhere. I found your blog from Betsy's blog ;-)

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  22. What a glorious post! Having grown up in a rather boring Baptist setting, I always find Orthodox churches beautifully rich and colourful.

    Very ominous sign about the snakes! Mt. Rushmore looks fantastic to me - I think my favourite shot is the first one, with the presidents floating over the road.

    Paradise Fibers seems very aptly named. :)

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  23. What an amazing trip! I love the sense of wide open spaces I get from your photos. I would be nervous of the snakes though! Lesley x

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  24. Gracie, Your trip was similar to mine to Ohio although we mostly stayed farther south. But we logged over 5,000 miles. And then I added the almost 2,000 to Oregon and back. Whew! I'm glad to be home now.

    Paradise Fibers is going to have to be a destination for me sometime!

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  25. All told, what a marvellous trip! And so many miles ... it's exhausting even to think about but all your posts suggest it was the best fun!

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  26. Wonderful pictures of your fascinating trip, Gracie! You and your sister must have a LOT of stamina for all that travelling....you certainly covered a lot of miles! Enjoy relaxing at home, and what a lot of lovely memories you now have to look back on.
    Helen x

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  27. They are all so wonderful pictures!! Thanks for sharing !!:)

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  28. Hi Gracie, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/

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  29. Hello Gracie, What a incredibly wonderful road trip you and your sister shared together.. I loved seeing all your most wonderful photos of our great and most beautiful country.. I especially love seeing photos of Washington and Oregon. Such beautiful states. The fiber shop photos are great... Thanks for sharing. Hugs Judy

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  30. 4000 miles, wow! What an amazing trip. I've never visited the pacific northwest but would love to one day. Such incredible scenery and history you have there. I hope you are enjoying settling back in to life at home. x

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