Weekends

Many weekends have been dedicated to painting the bathroom. It took longer than anticipated because much time was wasted on bad color choices. The first color was white with just the slightest hint of light blue. So I thought. After spending one early afternoon painting a couple of walls, I returned that evening to admire my work. OMG! At night under the glare of the ceiling light the walls took on the most hideous, sickly green/blue that I'd ever seen (or, at least, that I'd ever seen up close, in our house). I don't remember what Benjamin Moore called this color: Ice or Clouds or Dream or something like that. I renamed it Psychiatric Ward Blue. I said to Chris, 'Who would ever use a color like this?!" The next week I found out. At the allergist, waiting for the doctor in one of those tiny windowless rooms, there it was on the walls. Pysch Ward Blue. Or, at least, it's weaker but still ugly cousin. Ugh.

The next choice was not offensive in the least, but was almost a dead-on match to the existing wall color. Funny, it didn't look like that on that little paper chip at the paint store. Third choice was the charm. Ahhhh.... Peaceful White. That was the ticket.

Smudge helps me paint

Smudge on her favorite perch; might be time to get her nails clipped. Ow!

I've been wanting to ride longer climbs in preparation for the French Alps. Yesterday I drove to the base of Larch Mountain Road. Larch Mountain is about 20 minutes down the highway from Portland, in the Columbia River Gorge. I've never ridden Larch Mountain before. There are no views. The road is entirely ensconced in trees (or, the occasional clearcut field). But it's a nice ride and a good workout. 14.5 miles, 3,200 feet of climbing. Oh, then a great, long downhill. It was overcast most of the ride up but sunny all the way down.

Proof that I made it.

Back at car, at Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint.  View of Columbia River Gorge with Vista House in the distance. Very hazy.