Terwilliger Hot Springs/my heart of sulphur...

It's about a three hour drive in from Portland to this end of the Willamette National Forest, but the drive along the McKinley River is one of the best I've seen in Oregon. Hands down. SO worth the drive. The fee is six dollars, and the springs are clothing optional. Photography is not allowed, of course, unless permission is granted from your potentially naked soaking neighbors. I obviously didn't include any strangers in my snaps. Bringing plenty of water is advised as the hike in is no big deal, but soaking for a while can make you a little woozy.

I was so pleased to be there while some snow remained on the path. It was really beautiful. I was also pleased to see that people seem to take care of this place- no trash lying around on the way in or near the springs. 

Cougar Reservoir 

they're back there….

We made it.

at this moment, random greg, was trying to make me smile buy saying he had a small penis. 

path out.

feets

a very satisfied Dust.

driving out...

standard issue

new year headless self portrait.

new years prayer, er...

when i go to collect memories and best of’s for this fading year,
all the amazing music i’ve heard, the places i’ve taken breaths, the moments that have stolen them… all that comes are the faces of people who were next to me, the colors of the sand, the rocks, the leaves….the piercing cold of rivers, the pressure in my ears, my dirty hands and feet, dog-eared pages and underlined instants, the absolute rumble of giggles from huge hearts and tiny hands, smoke drenched everything. salt stains. crying with loved ones & strangers, especially the strangers, and letting tears fall, while scribbling notes in the dark because i don’t really have a choice. the high pitch ringing, glances and squeezes that say way more than i’ll ever be able to, laughing at my own voice crack, burns and scars and torn fingernails and way more love than i ever expected… i guess that’s the only list i have. and endless amounts of gratitude for all of it.