It's all about the views………..

 Labor Day weekend found us at Jeff and Jen's beautiful home on the Columbia River.     Sitting high on a bluff overlooking the river, we watched and heard  the planes take off from PDX, the sailboats and jet boats and the huge transport ships sail the river.  

Decorated in exquisite detail, the home is comfortable and inviting.    The large windows , both up and down, bring in the river views.

 The kitchen lights are just one of the many touches that Jen is noted for.

I liked these "dinner plate sized" hibiscus….. and that is faux grass !!

On Sunday, we drove east along the Columbia Gorge , watched the kite surfers, did wine tasting in Hood River (lots of wine tasting) and 

 then spent the night at Skamania Lodge.   It reminded me of the national park lodges.    The food and service were excellent and there were plenty of activities to keep a family busy.    The golf course looked challenging with it's narrow pine-lined fairways.    Maybe next time.     We would like to go back and hike the trails as well……no altitude to deal with !      

It was a short visit but filled to the brim.    Thanks for a wonderful visit.     We flew back to Denver on Tuesday and had another couple of days filled with shopping and more shopping and catching up with Becca and Lizzie.    Jenna is using her many creative talents at the "Little Black Chair", a shop specializing in Annie Sloan Chalk paints.   Check it out if you need to transform a mundane piece of furniture.

We spent several hours at the Denver Botanic Gardens to see the magnificent display of the  Chihuly exhibit.      Photos do NOT do it justice.   

I left the buildings and people in this shot to show you the size and scope of this piece as we entered the Gardens.

The pieces were all organic and whimsical and in  brilliant color on this cloudless day.

Of course, nature continued her daily work……..

More texture in the Japanese gardens with this stone path…..it appears to undulate due to the shading but was flat…. volunteers and staff placed the smooth stones.

…..on gossamer wings……..

Later , the Gardens will be open at night with the sculptures lighted……The exhibit remains until November.    ( I didn't 'enhance' any of the pics….I might have cropped a couple but otherwise they are all straight from the camera )

We enjoyed the beautiful drive home thru the mountains …. altho it is 5 hrs of driving, it never gets boring and the stop midway at a  Costco is a nice treat.