The foxgloves were in full bloom about 5 weeks ago, but I saved this for now-- We could all use a bit of beauty.

 

There may not be so many gigantic landscapes on the wet side of the mountains, but what we DO have is forests!

 

Practically everyone has seen a variation of this view--- looking east from a point close to the west end of the Columbia River Gorge. Vista House sits high atop Crown Point. It was completed in 1918 as a memorial to Oregon pioneers and as a rest stop for travelers on the on the winding historic Columbia River Highway. So many of my favorite subjects are on the east side (the dry side) of the mountains, but there are almost as many back home on the wet side.

 

East meets West--- This is where the dry side of the mountains meets the wet side as the Columbia River Gorge cuts through the Cascade Mountain Range. There are more trees, waterfalls, and clouds. And the change is quite noticeable, very quickly. Near the town of Hood River the wind is almost always blowing and windsurfers come from all over to take advantage. We are looking west in this shot. One last shot of the Gorge tomorrow...

 

Sharing today with Mersad's Through My Lens

And one last look at the ranch in Tygh Valley... I spent a couple of great summers here in the late '50s, so I always try to get a picture or two if we're in the area.

 

One last look at the old yellow house near Dufur, Oregon...

 

Bye! We hope you'll come back to see us one day...

 

Rust, lichen. and moss at the center of things...

 

The thirsty grass huddles next to the stream...

 

One of my favorite subjects: Deer! The ones on the dry side have long ears!

 

One of my favorite subjects: More Autumn colors on the dry side. Note the Pine Trees. Native Pines are very rare on the wet side of the cascades, where we live. Evergreen conifers on the wet side are mostly Firs, Cedars, Hemlocks, and Spruce trees. Pines and Junipers prefer the drier climate.

 

Sharing today with Mersad's Through My Lens

One of my favorite subjects: Fall colors on the dry side of the mountains. Fall tapestry!

 

One of my favorite subjects: The watergate! This valve controlled the flow of water from the White River into the very first hydroelectric powerplant in Oregon--over 110 years ago.

 

One of my favorite subjects: surprising inanimate objects! Gee mom, it followed me home! Can I keep it?

 

One of my favorite subjects: This structure is all that's left of a larger building in the ghost town of Friend, Oregon, and I have taken many pictures of it. I don't know what it was-- perhaps a vault. But it's all that's left. Mt. Hood towers to the west.

 

One of my favorite subjects--- what's inside old, abandoned buildings. More stories to tell...

 

One of my favorite subjects: Rusty old farm equipment with old wood and old nails. The water wagon doesn't roll anymore.

 

One of my favorite subjects: Capturing a small bit of history. One day they simply gave up.

 

Sharing today with Mersad's Through My Lens

One of my favorite subjects: the basalt layers and columns near the Columbia! My brain tends to see faces in things, and I see a lot of them in this image!

 

One of my favorite subjects: the amazing landscapes along the Columbia River. This one is across the river from The Dalles, Oregon, looking east, mostly along the Washington side. The blackened hills are the result of a wildfire.

 

One of my favorite subjects: country roads, like this simple dirt road to the ghost town of Friend, Oregon. Mt. Hood is towering in the background.

 

One of my favorite subjects: amazing things. It's impossible that this barn still stands. It seems the approaching storm would easily knock it down...

 

One of my favorite subjects: Wondering what's beyond the curve...

 

One of my favorite subjects: Contrasts! New life growing on old rust...

 

One of my favorite subjects: Farmlands after harvest!

 

One of my favorite subjects: Trees! "It's alright, Loretta, I'm just resting my limbs..."

 

One of my favorite subjects: Critters! Even when they have nothing to do but stand around and watch the old buildings lean and fall apart...

 

One of my favorite subjects: The old house and windmill-- with the wind turbines on the hilltop. Somehow the freshly plowed field connects them...

 

One of my favorite subjects: The view through the wavy glass in an old schoolhouse window. The kids from a long time ago must have wished they could be outside instead of listening to Mrs. Grundy drone on. But in later decades they appreciated what she had to say...

 

One of my favorite subjects: Sometimes a simple fence is all I need...

 

One of my favorite subjects: geology on display along the Columbia River! The Bridge, the railroad tunnel (far left just above the water), the man fishing with his bright blue boat, and the incredible basalt cliffs!