Sunday, January 25, 2015

7 Wonders - Mt Hood (by Ryan Bahler)

If you have been following Amanda's blog, then you know that she wished that I would visit one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon once a month after she passed. She asked that once I reached a destination I would reflect on special verses and pray. She knows how I work, how I process and that I am closest to God when I'm out on adventures in nature. A few of the many things I am thankful for.

For the third adventure I decided to place one of Amanda's Memorial Rocks somewhere on Mt hood, which is one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. I called up Amanda's brother, and asked if he would like to join. He was thrilled even though we would be Snowboarding in the rain, high winds and low visibility. We both made the best of the conditions and had a great time. I've been snow boarding for a combined 8 years and do okay on the mountain, but never have I boarded in these conditions.

After several runs, a couple jumps and sticking a board-slide on a rail, we decided to go on the other side of the mountain and try the Shooting Star Ridge. This is where we saw the only clearing in the day. It was beautiful! We wedged one of Amanda's Memorial Rocks in a tree about 40 yards above the "Shooting Star Ridge, Memorial Bowl and Twilight Bowl" sign. Amanda loves trees always painted them when she felt crafty and loved what they symbolize. In short the tree is the imagery of Jesus Christ and His bride is very strong throughout the Song of Songs. The bride describes Him in glowing terms as a fruitful tree, and He in turn describes His bride, the church, similarly.

After placing the rock, reflecting on and reviewing bible verses Glen and I had a great prayer, shed some tears and hugged it out like men. We Love You Amanda! We look forward to revisiting this spot on a bluebird day and board down Memorial Bowl when it opens. I imagine how beautiful it will be...

Below you will see pictures and blurbs of the adventure:

Glen and I making the best of the weather with our cheesy smiles

Yes it was raining, and the higher we went the faster winds were blowing and visibility got to a mere 10ft

Love this pic!

After getting soaked for 4 hours of snowboarding, we found the perfect spot

Love having this guy as my brother-in-law

Glen and I wedged the Memorial Rock in a tree.

Amanda loves trees and what they symbolize.

The imagery of Jesus Christ and His bride is very strong throughout the Song of Songs. The bride describes Him in glowing terms as a fruitful tree, and He in turn describes His bride, the church, similarly.

Best place and a great moment as I pause and reflect

Glen and I had a great prayer, shed some tears and hugged it out like men. We Love You Amanda!

Thanks for coming brother!

Another one of Amanda's Memorial Rocks was placed near the pointing red arrow

It is placed in a tree about 40 yards above the "Shooting Star Ridge, Memorial Bowl and Twilight Bowl" sign. See pictured below.

Thank you all for your love and support!

Thank you Lord for the Holy Spirit that fills my heart and soul!

Thank you Amanda for this gift. Loving you always!

Amanda My Beautiful,

I am yours and you are mine. How could it be this way? As we became one we grew strong through The Lord. Sometimes we stumbled and fell, but we always got back up through His grace, love, forgiveness and wisdom. We traveled and explored the land and trails, rivers and lakes, our pictures alone tell the tales. We learned to love and how to fill up on His Word, that bound us by what He taught. It is clear how you stood that way; my heart and soul survive through this time because who you were every day. So strong and kind, smart and cute, beautiful and faithful, and a child of God. I will always proclaim my love for you and how I feel this every day.

I love you,

Ryan

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

#amandanbahler

#amandanbahlerblogspot

#traveloregon

#7wondersoforegon

#sevenwondersoforegon

#mthood

#mthoodskiresort

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

7 Wonders - The Columbia River Gorge (by Ryan Bahler)

If you have been reading the blog then you know that Amanda wished that I would visit one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon once a month after she passed. She asked that once I reached a destination I would reflect on special verses and pray. She knows how I work, how I process and that I am closest to God out on adventures in nature. One of many things I am thankful for!

A couple weeks ago I decided the Columbia River Gorge was the next on the list of the 7 Wonders of Oregon for me to explore per Amanda's wishes. I am blessed with good friends who want to do such extreme adventures! A couple of us thought the Oneonta Falls would be the perfect place. Now I need to give you a little info on this place. There is no trail...the river is the trail, and even though you can do it any time of the year, most don't dare to do it in the middle of December.

We attempted the trip two weeks ago with warm clothes and waders, but we soon found out that the water was too high and that we would have to swim! So, we had to turn around, re-plan and try again.

Last weekend we came up with a good plan and borrowed some gear from some friends. I wore a Dry Suit and my friend Keith wore a wet suit. We also decided to wear GoPro's (video to come later). We started walking up the river to the log jam. The log jam is probably the most dangerous part where several large logs are stacked and shove up against each other creating a natural dam. This is where you have to be careful because they are slippery and one fall can result in an injury or worse. This is where we decided it was a good time to stop and pray for a safe and amazing adventure.

Once we crossed the log jam we swam up river for about 30 yards until we could touch bottom. From there we were able to walk up river until about 30 yards from the water fall. I must tell you

this place is gorgeous! The entire canyon is filled with Gods beautiful creations of plant life, color, and the pure amazement that we were walking and swimming up river through a canyon to get to a water fall...Wow!

Please excuse the bad pictures. The color and contrast are beyond amazing and all I could carry was an iPhone with a waterproof case, which doesn't even come close to justify Oneonta's beauty.

Below you will see pictures and blurbs of the adventure:

I want to thank Dana Turell and Travel Oregon (http://traveloregon.com). They were so kind to send me a very nice backpack with patches of all 7 wonders. It is so thoughtful, amazing and I will be using it for each of the 7 wonders.

The Log Jam

The Oneonta Gorge Canyon

Water Dropping down from the edges of the canyon

Climbing around for fun

We have reached our destination

Posing for the camera

Very beautiful, powerful and loud waterfall. We had to yell to hear each other.

It's time to jump in. Thanks for the good idea Keith!

Time to place one of Amanda's rocks, reflect and pray

Looking for a spot

Posing next to the waterfall and feeling its power

I think I see a spot over here that's perfect

How about here

In it goes and emotions are soaring

Here your rock stays my love

Perfect

Thank you Keith for being an amazing and adventurous friend

Thank you all for your love and support!

Thank you Lord for the Holy Spirit that fills my heart and soul!

Thank you Amanda for this gift. Loving you always!

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

I Almost Forgot

I almost forgot to mention one of my favorite moments. After seeing Oneonta Falls, Keith and I were feeling inspired to do more, so we drove to Horsetail Falls which is right off of the Historic Columbia River Highway. If you are wondering, yes we went swimming! Then we got back to the car and drove to Multnomah Falls which is off Highway 84 and is a major tourist attraction. Here we thought we would attempt swimming as well, but come to find out they have signs all over saying "no foot traffic beyond this point" and "you could be fined for crossing the fence". After many looks from people who probably haven't seen men in wet suits walking and exploring waterfalls in the middle of December, we decided it was best to walk back to the entry and just swim in the river. People were intrigued by our action and soon there were 20 people watching, taking pictures and asking questions.

My favorite part was a little girl who came up to us with curious eyes and a slight stutter and asked "Is this what you guys do for work"? We chuckle, wishing it was our work, and asked her if she was an Oregonian which she replied by nodding yes. Then I said "Well, part of being an Oregonian is you have the opportunity to explore amazing places in our state. All you have to do is start collecting the gear you need and you can go on adventures, explore and have fun just like us". We left seeing a big smile of wonder and glow from the little girl. Her curiosity was very cute and I hope we inspired her, because she inspired me as well. My heart is still swelling with joy seeing her curious eyes and big smile.

7 Wonders of Oregon

http://traveloregon.com/7wonders/

Oneonta Gorge and Falls info

http://www.nwhiker.com/CGNSAHike53.html

Better Pictures of Oneonta Falls

https://www.google.com/search?q=oneonta+falls+oregon

#traveloregon

#7wondersoforegon

#sevenwondersoforegon

#amandanbahler

#amandanbahlerblogspot

#oneontafalls

#columbiarivergorge

Sunday, October 19, 2014

7 Wonders - Smith Rock (by Ryan Bahler)

One of Amanda's wishes was for me to visit one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon once a month. She asked that I would visit, reflect on specific verses, and pray. When I became aware of her wish, I was touched and honored. I still am to this day, because i'm realizing all her hidden messages in what this adventure means to us, to her and most of all, our Lord.

If you wonder what those messages are, then I ask you to ask me some time, in person or by a phone call, and I would gladly share. I say this because there is an abundant amount of words and emotion that go into sharing the meanings behind this gift. I'm sure you understand.

Before I left I went to Lane Forrest Products to collect 8 rock tablets and had them engraved at Laser Image. It took a while but I finally found the perfect rocks, design, and words to put on the stones. Seven of the stones will go to the 7 Wonders of Oregon, then the last stone will go to mine and Amanda's favorite camping spot at Blue River where I will spread her ashes.

Yesterday I climbed Smith Rock up Misery Ridge with the puppies. It was an amazing, emotional and blessed adventure. I felt like I was visiting her as I found a resting place for one of the Memorial Rocks.

Thank you Corey and Justin for coming and supporting me on this adventure! Thank you all for your love and support! Thank you Amanda for this gift! Thank you Lord for all that you are!

Below you will see pictures and blurbs of the trip:

Smith Rock

You can visit Amanda's Memorial Rock at the end of Misery Ridge Trail. Closest to MonkeyFace under the ledge.