Hello new readers and viewers! Some of you may have found this site after meeting me at the Travel and Words conference. It was great meeting you!I am in the process of transitioning this site from a photography-only site to a travel writing and photography site. I'm also getting help from McKenzie Tobeck (the social media presenter at the conference) of Summit Social Media with focusing my brand. So you might see some changes – and snafus – to this site over the coming weeks.

Over the summer I have been photographing flowers all over Oregon. Here's a sneak peak.

I planned a trip to Philadelphia without realizing that it could coincide with a parade should the Philadelphia Eagles beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.

As Eagle's fans will not soon forget, the Eagles flew that day. Fortunately for my travel plans -- I needed to pick my brother up on Wednesday from the 30th Street Amtrak station which is close to the parade route -- the parade wasn't until the next day.

Although it would have been fun to say 'I was there that day,' we avoided the crowds and opted to go downtown the day after the parade. Here's how it looked.

The statue of Benjamin Franklin perched on the side of the American Philosophical Society's Library Hall was still dressed in an Eagles' cap and flag.

Green and white ticker tape remnants along the foot of the Philadelphia Museum of Art's steps.

A view from the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art looking back upon the trampled grounds along the parade route on Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

By 1 p.m. on Friday much of the trash had been picked up. This overflowing box of cups, cans and bottles was one of the few remaining piles of litter waiting to be picked up by sanitation workers.

Once again Rocky fans were able to pose under the ROCKY statue at the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Rasma, Augusts' wife of 53 years, gives her input on something related to the event. Rasma and their son Gundars manage Augusts’ art career including the business and marketing. ​

OSU Beaver Sam Rouleau, 21,  sets the ball as Lanesha Reagan, 11, sprints up from the baseline to spike the ball in the second set against the UC Buffalos in Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, Ore on November 12. The Beavers won in five sets. 25-23, 23-25, 25-17, 18-25, 15-13.

Justine Spann, 5, dinks the ball as Lila Toner, 2, and Kory Cheshire, 14 try to block it. The point went to the Buffalos.

Sam Rouleau, 21, and her teammates sign mini volleyballs and scorecards for fans in the Gill Coliseum entryway after their victory. The next Beaver home game is the Civil War on November, 25 at noon.

Patrons sit outside Starbucks at the corner of Madison Ave. and SW Third St. in Corvallis, Ore. on Veteran's Day morning with the historic Whiteside Theater in the background. The Whiteside Theatre was constructed in 1922.

Semi-retired Gerry Rouff sits among Browsers' Bookstore's 80,000 books. Gerry has spent 40 years in the bookselling industry, starting with selling rare books. He is currently paid staff at Browsers' Bookstore at 121 NW Fourth St. in Corvallis, Ore. Browsers' Bookstore has another location in Albany, Ore.

Oren Graham, 2, interacts with "Cassie" the lab on his walk downtown with his family on Veterans Day. Cassie was made by bronze artist Sue McNeil Jacobson in 2003.

LBCC's second annual Harvest Festival was held on October 28 in the Commons Cafe. The event was sponsored by the Student Life and Leadership office and featured activities provided by student clubs. Activities included cookie decorating (above), putt-putt, face painting, tug-of-war, and giant chess.

Taylor Gastorf makes a move on the giant chess board provided by the Chess Club. Sherry Sullen donated the chess game to the club.

Face painting by Eliya Dunmire decorates festivalgoers.

Protesters gathered on the riverfront in Corvallis on October 22 to show their support for the Standing Rock Sioux's protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Stand in Solidarity with Standing Rock rally was organized by students from Eena Haws, Oregon State University's Native American Longhouse.

Plummie Wright from the Klamath Tribe (left) and James Williams from the Siletz Tribe (right) closed the rally with drumming and song.

One of the many signs brought to the Stand in Solidarity with Standing Rock rally. Eena Haws hosted sign making events and provided sign making supplies. 

Sarah Booth is the pantry instructional assistant for Linn-Benton Community College's Culinary Arts program. Read an interview with her that appeared in The Commuter.