August Challenge: the Portland Heritage Tree Quest

Last day of August!  I’ve just got time for one last challenge post before closing the book. This one has lots  of trees, but I featured the skeleton of a dying Sycamore maple out of respect.  The post as a whole though might interest both tree and quest fans, because it’s the first stage of … Continue reading "August Challenge: the Portland Heritage Tree Quest"

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Challenge of the Month: September, 2019

Just a reminder that there are still a few days left in August, so there’s time left to share with us that favorite tree you’ve been procrastinating on.  For those impatient types or folks that like to think ahead a bit though (we’re looking at you, Suzanne), here’s the challenge for September. This month’s theme … Continue reading "Challenge of the Month: September, 2019"

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August challenge: the trees of Irvington

We’re staying this week in Irvington, one of Portland’s inner east side neighborhoods.  It feels a bit like living in an Arboretum, with a great diversity of mature trees – there must be fifty different species here, often grouped in short rows along parking strips, each block featuring a different tree than the one before. … Continue reading "August challenge: the trees of Irvington"

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August challenge: the Kalaloch Tree of Life

The Sitka Spruce is a pretty amazing tree.  Previously we had a look at the largest known Sitka Spruce in the world, soaring nearly two hundred feet into the sky.  Today’s featured image is a much smaller example, but nearly as remarkable.  The Kalaloch Tree of Life ekes out its precarious existence on the wild … Continue reading "August challenge: the Kalaloch Tree of Life"

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Yosemite National Park Glacier Point Road Rehab

Are you a cyclist who would like to see more options for cycling in the lovely Yosemite? If so, consider giving your input and opinion during the comment period (and/or attending one of the upcoming meetings!) because in 2021 Glacier Point Road in YNP will be closed (estimated 2 years maybe!) for rehabilitation.  What about … Continue reading "Yosemite National Park Glacier Point Road Rehab"

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Sequoia sempervirens

Also known as the California redwood. Several grow in our yard. The Ogre snuggled up to one them this morning. From Wikipedia: Sequoia sempervirens is the sole living species of the genus Sequoia in the cypress family Cupressaceae (formerly treated in Taxodiaceae). Common names include coast redwood, coastal redwood and California redwood. It is an … Continue reading "Sequoia sempervirens"

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August Challenge: Eucalyptus camaldulensis

I live about a kilometre from the Murray River – Australia’s most iconic river. Combined with the Darling River, they drain 1/3 of Australia. The Murray-Darling Basin is Australia’s main food bowl and the centre of considerable controversy over its management. Growing along that iconic river are the river red gums. These trees can grow … Continue reading "August Challenge: Eucalyptus camaldulensis"

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Bikes on White Mountain

At 14,252 feet in elevation, White Mountain Peak in the White Mountains is the third highest summit in California. A long, rough, unpaved road (requiring four-wheel drive and high clearance) leads up from the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest visitor center several thousand feet to the University of California’s Barcroft Research Station at 12,470 feet. Normally … Continue reading "Bikes on White Mountain"

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