Smith Rock State Park: Wolf Tree Trail

We descended down to the Crooked River from the parking lot and turned north on the Wolf Tree Trail.

The rock formations were amazing,

as were the views along the river.

Smith Rock State Park: the Vista

Words almost fail me when I try to describe my awe the first time I saw this vista three years ago. I have been to the Grand Canyon and Yosemite and I feel this place is every bit as awesome as those are.

We had only gaped at the view then as we were visiting all the wonders of Oregon. Now, we were spending the morning hiking through the scenic canyon.

Mt. Jefferson

Mt. Jefferson from the east, the high desert north of Madras, Oregon.

Oregon High Desert

The high desert of central Oregon north of Madras.

Columbia River from Stonehenge Replica

Maryhill and the Highway 97 bridge over the Columbia River. The view to the west at the Stonehenge replica.

And the view to the east.

Stonehenge Replica, Maryhill, Washington

Sam Hill erected this replica, dedicated in 1918, as a memorial to the fourteen  servicemen of Klickitat County who died in WW I.

Overlooking the Columbia River, Hill thought this structure would remind people of the folly of war.

Hill consulted experts in archaeology, astronomy and engineering to duplicate the ancient ruin.

The Beauty of Technology

Can technology and nature combine to form beauty?

You be the judge.

I was in southern central Washington, near Goldendale, for these views.

The Other Side of Washington State

Being a native and life long resident of western Washington, I am always amazed at how the central and eastern parts of the state are so different. Where are the mountains and ocean?

These are scenes along Highway 97 toward Goldendale on a recent road trip. 

Sunflowers

We always have a nice crop of sunflowers below our bird feeders. This is the first time I've seen some with no yellow petals. These two blossoms are on the same stalk.

Farming on Whidbey Island

Sunrise

Sunrise this morning and the earlier dawn. Hopefully this will be the last day of smoke, this time from Oregon forest fires.

Last Smokey Sunrise

August 28, the last smoke filled morning before winds cleared the air.