A totally unexpected treat this weekend! We left home on a rather rainy Friday afternoon and within an hour, the rain had unexpectedly turned to snow. Silver Falls State Park is located in the foothills of the Cascades with just enough altitude to bring us a little bit of winter beauty! There is absolutely nothing like camping in the snow!! It’s a real treat for us Portlanders, as snowy days are a rare event around here!

Near the bird watching area behind the campground...beautiful!

Near the bird watching area behind the campground…beautiful!

Out enjoying the scenery...

Out enjoying the scenery…

Cooper's not sure what to think at first...

Cooper’s not sure what to think at first…

Campsite in the snow

Campsite in the snow

Walk near the creek, sheltered from the snow....

Walk near the creek, sheltered from the snow….

The sun gets low early!

The sun gets low early!

A warm dinner to enjoy around the campfire...everything tastes a little better when you're camping!

A warm dinner to enjoy around the campfire…everything tastes a little better when you’re camping!

It's cold but beautiful outside!

It’s cold but beautiful outside!

Cooper enjoying the fire from a safe distance...

Cooper enjoying the fire from a safe distance…

Relaxation at its finest!

Relaxation at its finest!

Well, 'ello Ms. Pattmore! Enjoying a three hour marathon of Dowton Abbey!

Well, ‘ello Ms. Patmore! Enjoying a three hour marathon of Downton Abbey!

Coffee in bed on a chilly morning! He's not a morning dog!

Coffee in bed on a chilly morning! He’s not a morning dog!

Self portrait of the "Mr. Clean" look :)

Self portrait of the “Mr. Clean” look 🙂

We hated to leave for home after such a pretty weekend, but the drive back through the valley was just as beautiful. We awoke to a frozen fog that morning and I made Todd pull over several times so I could snap a few photos from the car window!

Frozen Fog

Frozen Fog

Through the valley

Through the valley

Nature's artwork!

Nature’s artwork!