IslandWood

Truly a “school in the woods.”  These images are of where we live now. We will live here for about 2 more weeks before we head to New York. This weekend, I will help my love, Steven, find a new home in Seattle.  I still don’t technically have a home after August 7, 2008–but I believe I will be living off campus in a home with 3 other people from IslandWood.  For now, this is home number 2 this summer, and I LOVE it.  The light in the space is natural.  I just wish it had a few more rooms!

Cabin Fever

Okay, this would be cabin fever if it ever got warm enough to get a fever! This is the outside of our cabin 11A. We live on the left side.

 

Home Sweet Home

The light is from the sun only!

 

Long Way Up–or Down!  (our sleeping loft)

Doesn’t feel so “lofty” to my feet at 5:30 am.

 

 Wide-Screen

This is couples corner--dubbed by our neighbor Reva. There are 4 more sets of these cabins behind us and to the side.

 

 Labyrinth

This is the path that leads to our main campus. I still wonder if there are monsters in there.

 

Fine Dining

This is the common area for the grad students. It houses a huge kitchen with three mega-fridges, two ovens/stoves, a TV/DVD, computers, comfy seating and huge pantries. There is also a garden, laundry, two bathrooms, recycling, and a compost! For the summer, the summer staff and Steven and I share it.

Land O’ the Ferns a.k.a. “Pleasantville”

Albeit many a month without posting images and with reprimands from family and friends, I finally am posting again! These are images from our new “home” and some surrounding areas we have visited. I will post more photos as I take more of our newest home!

Pretty in Pink

For you latin name nerds this is the Rhododendron macrophyllum. For the rest of us–it’s a Pretty Pink Flower.

 

101B Sadie Lane

This was home for the first 12 days of life in Pleasantville. In the foreground is Steven with his new bike.

Winslow Ravine

Around here ravines abound–deep dark green ones. It’s so green I keep thinking I’ll see monkeys.

Ferry to Pleasantville

Here is the entry way to “Pleasantville”—available only by ferry–unless you want to drive 2 hours out of the way or unless you have your own commuter yacht as pictured.

 

Soaring to Seattle

This is the view from the ferry heading towards Seattle. The seagulls hover on the currents created by the ferry and the wind. Now that’s what I call a “free-ride.”

Geometry Books

This is not only just a stand alone sculpture of geometric genius–it is the Seattle Public Library.

 

Caffe Vita -By Steven Degrush

We were not excited to move to the northwest because of the weather. We were excited to move to the northwest because of the best coffee ever. This is the second recommended shop we have tried. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Cool B&W photographs on display inside too.

Espresso by Steven DeGrush

The creme de la creme.

 

The Emerald City by Steven DeGrush

No this is not Oz—wrong continent. Tom Hanks lived here with Meg Ryan…remember?

 

Mt. Rainier

Take the ferry to the top. Just kidding. This bad boy rises 14,410 ft. from sea level. Wanna see the top? Bring your glacier glasses, crampons, and ice axe. And pray you don’t fall into a crevasse.

 

Olympic National Park

This is one of many views of the valleys/canyons from the Hurricane Ridge vantange point.

 

Steven and Me

Some dude who called himself a “bear”–he was from L.A.–took our picture. Into the sun of course.

Puget Sound by Steven DeGrush

Yet another spectacular view off Hurricane Ridge looking northeast towards Port Angeles.

Forest Thru the Trees

Another view of the Olympic Mountains from the Obstruction Peak trail. And there were plenty of downed trees across the trail to vouch for the name!!

Smart Wool Socks

I was so excited to get so close to this behemoth! I had never seen a real live Mountain Goat! This one came complete with a radio collar. I feel like I should be singing….”the hills are alive—with the sound of music…”

Pretty Purple Flowers–Mt. Angeles Trail, Olympic National Park

I love purple. I have no idea what kind of flowers they are–but they’re purple!

!Welcome! !Bienvenidos!

Hello!  This is my first attempt at sharing not only the stories and images from my ongoing photo-documentary but also a place to share images from my life with people who are far.  My hope is that this site will plant the seeds for thought, dialogue, and understanding–Here’s to a future of love and peace….  ♥Emily

 

Things that make you go Hmmm….

To start I am going to include a few photos from Death Valley and the Grand Canyon….I do LOVE the WEST!!! 

 

ROCK RACE! 

Scientists study the movements of these rocks at the “Race Track,” in Death Valley National Park.  Aided by strong winds and given a hydroplane surface after a storm, some of these rocks have moved up to 1 mile in a year!

 

Care For Some Tea?

Two hours of washboard roads and we thought we’d stop for some tea.  Really– it was just the coolest road sign EVER! 

Tea for more than Two

Just thought you all should see the entirety of Tea Kettle Junction.

 

 

Want to go Barefoot?

So, yea, from a distance I thought, “WOW! This would probably feel GREAT on my feet and toes after a long hike!  Not so much.  Really it was just hard dirt.  

 

Which Planet is This?

This is earth.  No, it isn’t snow.  It is—SALT.  Yes, this salt flat is located at not only one of the lowest elevations in the world, but it also exudes salt.  You can even make little saltballs, though they’re kind of slimy and don’t stick together as well as snowballs.

Over-Arching

I am always amazed at the power of wind and water–forces behind the erosion that create “bridges” such as this.

Road Less Traveled

This makes me feel so free–and want to drive forever.

 

Bliss

This may be my favorite photograph of the Grand Canyon…although my first photos of the Grand Canyon with my Olympus snap n’ shoot were pretty darn good.  Thanks Mom & Dad!

 

Bliss 2

So I know a lot of people are partial to Black & White shots of the canyon—me too!  But, there is so much color in that canyon!!  Here’s to those of us who are full of color!