When in doubt-- a rose always works best!

Quiet now...

Beautiful to see, but not good to eat...

The path...

The pond...

Grapes!

The Brusco tugboat dock on the Columbia River in Cathlamet, Washington.

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A beautiful day along the Columbia River...

Take a moment to feel what's around you...

Beautiful bouquets...

First the moss, then the seeds carried by the wind or the birds--- wildflowers and grass growing like beautiful bouquets on the old pilings in the river...

Suddenly--- the afternoon light is different in the wetlands...

The plants are beginning to fall back into the water, The colors of green are a bit more yellow. Fall is coming soon.

The bridge across Olequa Creek-- 1924

13 feet 9 inches...

Gentle giants...

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A portrait of the lady in her home...

Just follow the path...

The Susaki Wing heads upriver to Longview to take on a cargo of logs, bound for the orient...

The end of the line--- The log train tracks, now unused, but still full of memories...

Number 55 in my train series-- Thanks so much for your likes and comments on these since June 22d. I thought it would be appropriate to end with a bit of wistfulness--- The log train tracks, unused, but still full of memories.

In dreams...

Starting to wind down the train series... Union Pacific's # 8364 looks unstoppable as it speeds by...

The main line on a beautiful day in late October...

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Powerful!

Notice that the second locomotive is pointed the opposite direction, but they're just as happy going backwards...

The log train is gone now...

Portions of track have been ripped up now. But we were fortunate enough to see one of the last runs through the clouds just before it started the down the hill to the Weyerhaeuser mill. So long, log train-- I wish I'd thought about getting more pictures while it was still running.

Another Christmas day shot, with a southbound BNSF freight--- that's moss on the trees, not leaves.

It's quiet now...

A southbound Amtrak passenger train lights up the darkness...

A northbound BNSF freight crossing the Cowlitz River late on a winter afternoon...

A northbound UP freight near Castle Rock-- And an important sign!

And by the way, I have no idea what the sign means other than it has to do with rails and turnouts.  But I like the sign!

Addition:  Railroad maintenance vehicles have wheels for the highway and special flanged wheels to go on the tracks.  They are the hy-rail vehicles.  Frogs are part of turnouts and switches.  The sign is a warning to the maintenance vehicles that the "frog" is there.  Thanks to my RR friends!


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A passing Amtrak passenger train on a cold and foggy Christmas day...

Portal to the past-- The Kelso, Washington, train station...

A northbound Union Pacific container train, heavy enough to need 4 locomotives in front, moves toward Winlock on a late fall afternoon...