This road near Olequa was originally the first Northern Pacific right of way as the railroad built its route from Portland to Seattle. It, along with a bridge across the Cowlitz River, dates from 1871. A station was built in Olequa, but early travelers had to switch to stagecoaches there if they were headed north. There was a store and a hotel —and a surprising number of people living in the area —including a long-time Native American village near Olequa. The Northern Pacific moved its route later, including a new bridge. The old bridge was at the end of this road, where you can see a fallen branch. The flood of 1906 wiped out what was left of the original bridge, leaving only a single concrete pier. As for the town of Olequa, there's little to show that it ever existed.

 

Absolutely no AI, no additions or subtractions! This guy with the green hair was discovered peeking at us through the trees. It's completely natural, and downright scary!

 

The magical, hidden-away barn...

 

Winter means bare trees and shrubs? Not in this part of the world. A heavy batch of lichen and moss is a reminder of winter beauty!

 

"Hey, silly people! Go away, or we will sneer in your general direction!"

The light is different on a sunny day in the middle of Winter. It's not the same as Summer, but it can be beautiful! This is in the hills of Eastern Washington State.

 

Night is falling in the Columbia River Gorge as this train heads west.

 

Where did the time go...?

 

Barge traffic is surprisingly active on the Columbia River. Two of these four barges are for grain (wheat or barley). The one in the back on the far side is for petroleum products, and the other is loaded with containers. This array of four barges is being pushed by a tugboat with a high wheelhouse that allows the pilot to see over the barges. It's headed into the locks that will take the whole thing through The Dalles Dam.

 

The late-afternoon sunlight is perfect for just a few minutes at the wetlands-- peaceful beauty!

 

I think it's broken...

 

Late in the afternoon, a final beam of sunlight highlights a whisp of fog over Silver Lake, and highlights some Cormorants on a rock stretching their wings. I love to see them do that!

 

There's just something about trains at night, passing under lights...

 

The little house on the edge of the woods...

 

Sunshine up above, but cold temperatures and fog are keeping things a bit muted near the wetlands. But it's beautiful!

Here's a well-built, very sturdy little bridge on the dry side of the mountains, wide enough for one cow, and not more than five feet long. Nobody has used it for a decade or two, and nature has taken over. I think it's beautiful!

 

A gathering of the ladies... Elk ladies, that is.

 

Night train...

 

Amazing winter beauty right along the Westside Highway!

 

Even in the winter, there's still so much to love in the wetlands!

 

It's just a small farm in the Toledo Highlands.

 

Oh look! There's a bigger one coming in! Surfing the Northern Oregon coast in January? Year-round, it's the waves that matter.

 

Another ship-- this one headed to the Port of Longview, about 60 miles up the Columbia River. It will be loaded with logs for the Orient.

 

Out past the old wood pilings that are all that remain of Astoria's fish canneries, a ship is headed out to sea and faraway places with strange sounding names.

 

You keep going, and you hope that you will get to the other side.

 

When everything gets too crazy, too much to deal with, a walk on the beach usually makes things better.

 

Lots of rain for a couple of days has made the little roadside waterfalls sing!

 

It's like fire in the sky!

 

Marvin the Mallard found it easier to swim in the clouds rather than fly through them.

 

Wetlands magic!

 

I hope he finds his way home before it gets dark...

 

The mountain got a full coat of snow!

 

"'Tis the moon I see..."

 

Wake up! It's a shiny new year! It's gotta be better than the old one! ♥ Happy New Year, to all!

 

Years come and go. The land is still part of us.

 

Come in, sit by the fire! Dinner's almost ready... Life in the Oregon Territory before Washington became a state.

 

Between the clouds and short days, sunlight can be scarce in late December- Look how just a little sunlight lights up these trees and the fallen leaves!

 

Redmen Hall, the biggest building in the tiny town of Skamokawa, Washington. It was built in 1895 as a surprisingly large schoolhouse. The town of about 400 people is on the Columbia River.

 

A strange and wonderful cloud! Do you suppose it's a stealth cloud, invisible to radar?

 

Silver Lake in the fading light just a few days ago... This is from the hills to the west.

 

Just leafless branches on a tree next to the river, but all the little raindrops make it very festive for Christmas! It works! Take a moment this Christmas to look for the love and beauty all around us.

 

It's Christmas Eve-- Peace on Earth, peace in our hearts. ♥

Goodnight...

 

It's Winter!

 

Lots of wet in the wetlands--- The clouds are beautiful!