Throught the mists of time--- It's the late 19th Century, or the early 20th Century, and there's a fire in your little town. The volunteer firemen run like hell to grab the hand-drawn firehose reel. You can see the nozzles parked at the back of the handle. They didn't have fire trucks, but the lucky ones had some equipment-- like this thing to carry the hoses. I snapped this one in a little museum just west of The Dalles, Oregon.

Standing alone...

 

A very sturdy little bridge for cows-- and the occasional human.

 

This old water wagon was the only way they had to irrigate crops high in the hills of Eastern Oregon and Eastern Washington in the early days. Wheat and hay relied on the weather. And yes, that is a cow skull hanging from the wagon.

 

No school today...

This is the old wooden grain elevator in the ghost town of Boyd, Oregon. If you'd been there a hundred years ago, you would have seen a train siding on the right side. It looks a bit like a medieval armament, doesn't it...

 

Here it comes...

 

Tygh Valley

 

Giant wind turbines, giant sky, and what remains of the old house on the Goodnoe Station Road, a few miles north of the Columbia River.

 

Just south of the Columbia River, looking north to Mt. Adams on the left. To the right of Mt. Adams you can see the tip of Mt. Rainier. Big mountains, big sky, big everything!

 

Mine! Mine! It's all Mine!

 

Hidden away on a dirt road, this old shed is now just a shelter for some of the woodland animals--

 

The late-afternoon sun is reflected by the water in the lake onto these trees in a way I've never seen before! The effect is amazing!

 

I love bumblebees!

Another path...

 

Just checking things out...

 

Look up! There's so much to see!

 

Who, me? I think Beauregard would sit in your lap if he could.

 

Oh look! It's Beauregard, the bull, coming to say hello...

 

Abandoned, doors locked, nothing in the window except a spider web--- The Ship Supply Service on the Cathlamet waterfront has sailed away.

 

Like the poet said-- What is so rare as a day in June...?

 

The barn in the Dell-- in all its gothic glory!

 

This is a very important part that keeps things from bouncing out of control. But no one remembers where it goes... Life is funny that way.

 

One of my favorite things...

 

Even the foxglove grows taller in some parts of the path...

 

What a beautiful flower! Not only does she smile, she's waving at me!

 

Fly away home!

 

Here he comes again... It's that Heron who likes to pretend he's a pterodactyl. I think he looks splendid against the golden hour clouds.

 

Let's go!

 

The last roundup...

 

Colorful!

 

Safe in the arms of a fallen tree, 7 separate Foxglove plants light up the forest!

 

Light pink, a bit smaller and more delicate-- this is another Columbine!

 

Columbine!

 

Colors and patterns-- Happy flowers! Life is good!

 

Spring-- Even the simplest plants can be incredibly beautiful!

 

When the cat we call Bunny is not being a ferocious jungle beast in the garden, he's often grabbing a nap in some of the oddest places. We always check the wheels...

 

This is one of our neighbors' cats. He likes to pretend he's a ferocious jungle beast when he's wandering in our backyard.

 

A glorious path on a glorious day!

 

I'm always amazed by the Rhododendrons. We don't have the rhodie flowers very long, but they're always a joy!

 

The amazing Great Blue Heron, looking for a snack in the wetlands!

 

She likes the little bird--- and when she finally gives birth to her foal, she says the bird can be an uncle!

 

Here comes the guardcat! "Who goes there?"

 

I guess that means KEEP OUT!

 

That little shed has the world's most mossy roof!