Iller Creek Conservatory/Rocks of Sharon Hike

My husband and I are always finding new places to explore. This morning we went on a hike in Spokane Valley through the conservatory to a location known as the Rocks of Sharon. There are huge rocks jutting out from the hilltop, and the view from the top is beautiful. You can see all the way to the Cascades, even on a day like today where the horizon was a bit hazy. I'm not sure you'll see it in my pictures, though; it was early (for me) and I left my fully packed and prepared DSLR on the kitchen table. These are all iPhone photos. Next time I will have a better camera to go with the telephoto zoom lens I actually did bring in my camelback. Also, we did see wildlife on our hike. Tim scared a moose that was hiding 15 yards away, we tried (and failed) to get a picture of a porcupine, and two deer stood on the side of the road as we exited the park. And we still aren't sure how the two cars got up there. There was no possible way for them to be driven to their respective gravesites, may they Rust In Pieces. I think a helicopter may have been involved.

Word of the Day: Garnish

And FINALLY we have another feasible word of the day: garnish. I do believe everyone knows the meaning of this word, but I shall provide the Webster definition anyway. Garnish, a verb, means "decorate, embellish; to add decorative or savory touches to (food or drink)." It could also mean "to equip with accessories; furnish" or "to take (as a debtor's wages) by legal authority," but we shall pursue the first definition instead. As you may know from previous posts, I am a Psych fan. As a Psych fan I have grown accustomed to searching out pineapples in different locations. This shot glass was found in Galveston, Texas. Notice the pineapple garnish on the pina colada. I also like the use of the tiny umbrella. Umbrellas make every drink better.

Animals

Animals are fun to photograph, but you have to snap a lot of pictures if you're gonna get any good ones. Most animals move fast, so a good shot may pass you by if you wait for even a quarter of a second. I'm not sure if I've shared these before because I lose track, and I'm too lazy to check. I hope you don't mind. Per my husband's request I have made the watermarks a little less obvious. They are smaller and in the corner so the shot isn't ruined. He didn't like the way the watermark covered important parts of the images.

May Flowers

Today I went outside during a rain break and took some pictures. Some are of flowers, but all are of plants. I have little to expand upon, so I will leave you with the lyrics to "Come On Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners. That song has played on the radio the last two days in a row, and it is now stuck in your head as well as mine.

Poor old Johnny Ray

Sounded sad upon the radio

But he moved a million hearts in mono

Our mothers cried

Sang along

Who'd blame them

You've grown, so grown

Now I must say more than ever come on Eileen

Too-ra-loo-ra, too-ra-loo-rye aye

And we can sing just like our fathers

Come on Eileen

Oh, I swear what he means

At this moment you mean everything

You in that dress

My thoughts I confess

Verge on dirty

Oh, come on Eileen

These people round here

Wear beaten down eyes sunk

In smoke dried faces

They're so resigned to what their fate is

But not us, no never

No not us, no never

We are far too young and clever

Too-ra-loo-ra, too-ra-loo-rye aye

And you'll hum this tune forever...

...Come on Eileen too-rye-aye

ETC

Those lyrics make absolutely no sense. But it's still a fun song. Thanks, English dudes.