Oak Harbor Dawn

September Sunset

The view from Ft. Ebey State Park on the west side of Whidbey Island September 25.

Cascade Mountains

The Cascade Mountains at sunset from the west side of Oak Harbor.

Olympic Peninsula from Whidbey Island

The view from Libbey Beach on the west side of Whidbey Island in March.

September Spiders

It's that time of the year again when the fog hangs on the webs.

Purple Mountain Majesty

The North Cascades from Oak Harbor at dawn.

Maui Lana'i Passenger Ferry

I was on March Point near Anacortes in the middle of August when I caught a Maui Lana'i Passenger Ferry heading north out of the Swinomish Slough. I think the vessel was built by Mavrik Marine out of La Conner. It was a bit disconcerting to see a boat that was crafted for Hawaiian waters in Padilla Bay.

Vancouver Island Dusk

The last remnants of the sunset over Vancouver Island August 25 from the west side of Whidbey Island.

Winter Olympics

The Olympic Mountains in February from Whidbey Island.

Last Sunrise of Summer 2016

The sunrise this morning from the west side of Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island.

Salish Sea Sunset

The August 26 sunset over Vancouver Island from Whidbey Island.

September Full Moon

The moon rising over the North Cascade Mountains on September 15.

Mt. Rainier National Park: Sunrise Point

We had out last view of the mountain from Sunrise Point. The elevation is 6,100 feet (Sunrise is 6,400 feet). 

On a clear day, one is supposed to be able to see several mountains from Sunrise Point. There are people on the near shore of the lake below. (They appear really small!)

Mt. Rainier National Park: Sunrise

This view of Mt. Rainier is from Emmons Vista, a viewpoint a short hike from the Sunrise parking lot.

This is the view driving into the parking lot.

There are many mile of hikes with awesome views.

Mt. Rainier National Park: Mt. Rainier from Highway 410

After a day and a half in low clouds, we got our first glimpse of the mountain from Highway 410 at a pull off north of Cayuse Pass.

Highway 410 Scenic Byway: Palisades

Close to Mt. Rainier National Park is the Palisades viewpoint on Highway 410. These columns were formed when a volcano erupted about nine miles away. The lava flowed here and then was stopped, perhaps by a glacier. The edge of the lava flow cooled much faster than the rest, causing the fractures in the columns.

Mt. Rainier National Park: Box Canyon

The Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River has carved a deep and narrow canyon to the southeast of Mt. Rainier. A small sign noted that the distance to the water was 180 feet. The canyon itself is only a few feet wide.

We got a peek of Mt. Adams to the south from the highway over the Box Canyon.

Mt. Rainier National Park: Martha Falls

This segment of Martha Falls is visible from the road between Paradise and Box Canyon. There are additional segments of the falls above and below. The entire system cannot be seen from one location.

This is an unnamed cascade next to the road.

Mt. Rainier National Park: Picturesque Lakes

On a clear and still day, Reflection Lake located east of Paradise, would give a beautiful reflection of Washington's tallest mountain.

Tipsoo Lake, near Chinook Pass on Highway 410, would give a similar reflected mountain. At an elevation of 5,299 feet, we were in the clouds. I am aching to go back to this area in clear weather!

Mt. Rainier National Park: Paradise

Paradise was enveloped in low clouds. There was no possibility of seeing Mt. Rainier.

Mt. Rainier National Park: Narada Falls

The lower fall is seen entirely from a viewing area a short hike down from the parking lot. The drop of this fall is 168 feet. Note the highway bridge at the top of the photo. The upper drop (see photo below) is twenty feet for a total of 188 feet.

The upper fall and the highway bridge to the viewpoint parking lot.

Mt. Rainier National Park: Pinnacle Peak

We spotted the colorful Pinnacle Peak to the south on our way to the Paradise turnoff. It stands at 6,562 feet. 

Mt. Rainier National Park: Christine Falls

Nearing the turnoff to Paradise after entering the park at the Nisqually Entrance is the Christine Falls Viewpoint. A short hike down from the parking lot frames the lower fall under the highway bridge.

The view from the highway bridge captures the upper fall.

There is even a delightful dripping area at the side of the road.

Night Journey

A ship passes the Olympic Mountains on its way to the Pacific after sunset on August 26.

Evening Flight

I was on the west side of Whidbey Island on August 25.

Oak Harbor Sunrise

Sunrise on August 25.

Flight Training near Mt. Baker

A training flight from NAS Whidbey in June.

Summer Rain

Oak Harbor Under Construction

Construction of the water treatment plant under way in June.

Salish Sea Sunset from Whidbey Island

August 25.