Oregon: Painted Hills Overlook Trail

Our next "wonder" of Oregon was the Painted Hills, part of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

The iron red paleosols indicate a warm and moist environment. Rainfall would have been between 31 and 53 inches a year (current is 12).

The yellow and tan soils indicate a dryer environment, with rainfall between 23 and 47 inches a year.

The black spots are caused by manganese concentrations, thought to be the product of a specific plant.

Oregon: Smith Rock Plein Air

I found out I was not the only one trying to capture the beauty of Smith Rock State Park.

 My sister and I took a short hike from the northern most parking lot toward a cliff overlooking the Crooked River valley.

Beautiful.

Oregon: Smith Rock State Park

My sister and I were struck by the beauty of Smith Rock, our next "wonder" of Oregon. The setting of Crooked River meandering beside the towering rocks was breath taking.

The park is a favorite of bicyclists, hikers, and climbers. Having been to Sedona, I was surprised Oregon had a scene every bit as beautiful, including red rocks.

Oregon: Peter Ogden Park

On our way to the next "wonder" of Oregon we stopped at Peter Skene Ogden Park. He had explored central Oregon for the Hudson Bay Company in 1825 and discovered Crooked River at the end of that year.

I was standing on a highway bridge over Crooked River Canyon. It had been built in 1926 but was now closed, having been replaced by a more modern one. I love how the Sisters and Broken Top were just visible over the railroad bridge.

Oregon: Mt. Jefferson and the Sisters

As we drove through Central Oregon we frequently caught glimpses of Mt. Jefferson

and the Sisters.

Oregon: Mt. Hood

Our first view of Mt. Hood (our second "wonder" of Oregon) was from Panorama Point County Park just south of Hood River. The hill is about a mile off Highway 35.

Our next stop was at the USFS Hood River Ranger Station for this view from the parking lot. Mt. Hood is 11,235 feet and received its name in 1792, when a member of Captain George Vancouver's discover expedition honored a British admiral, Samuel Hood.

We had several more glimpses of the mountain as we continued south on Highway 35.

Oregon: Mitchell Point Overlook

Our last stop along the Columbia River Gorge was at Mitchell Point, viewing Washington across the river. It was windy and I know some places along the gorge are favorites for wind surfing. I was also struck by the number of contrails. Central Oregon is under a well traversed flight corridor. We usually saw two jets overhead, frequently flying in opposite directions.
Before I-84 was built, there were beautiful tunnels at this point. They were destroyed for the new highway. Not much is known about Mitchell other than that he was a trapper who lived in the area.
One can hike to the top of Mitchell Point for stunning views of the gorge.

Oregon: Multnomah Falls

Our next stop along the scenic highway at the Columbia River Gorge was Multnomah Falls. The water drops 620 feet. The falls are fed by springs on Larch Mountain with melting snow increasing the flow in early spring. The bridge was built in 1914. Multnomah is believed to be a Chinook Indian word meaning "downriver."

Even though I've lived in the Pacific Northwest all my life, I'd never seen Multnomah Falls. We arrived shortly after lunch and the parking lot was full with cars lining the side of the road. We were fortunate to see a car pulling out a bit up the road. We hiked up to the bridge to get a closer look at the upper part of the falls. It was certainly worth the time and effort to get a close up look.

Oregon: Columbia River Gorge

We drove on the scenic byway along the Columbia River Gorge, one of the seven wonders of Oregon. Our first stop was at the Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint. This was the view looking east. Our next stop was at the Vista House at Crown Point, shown on the right.

Vista House was completed in 1918 as a tribute to Oregon's pioneers. It was begun shortly after construction on the scenic highway, the first in the United States, was started. It offers wonderful views to the east

and the west. It was a hazy day so our view was a bit limited.

Mt. Rainier from Oak Harbor

Mt. Rainier catching the late afternoon sun, from Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island. I was at Flintstone Park for this view.

Rhododendron

Barn With Personality

Some barns remind me of faces, like this one - Mr. Magoo with ear phones.

San Juan Calm

The San Juan Islands at twilight from Joseph Whidbey State Park on Whidbey Island.

Whidbey Island Beaches

Whidbey Island has so many beaches with wonderful views for walking, like this one called West Beach. The Olympic Mountains are in the distance.

Dogwood

Late Spring Mt. Baker

What a difference six months makes. This photo taken yesterday shows a snow pack usually seen in late summer, not before summer even begins. Compare the snow pack with the photo posted yesterday from December.

Mt. Baker

It has been in the 80s this week but I like to remember Mt. Baker in mid-winter with a fresh coat of snow. This view is from Oak Harbor.

Clouds

I can't imagine the wind currents that create clouds like these.

Winter Olympics from Oak Harbor

A fisherman heads out of Oak Harbor Bay on an early December morning. The Olympics had just received a new coat of snow.

Light and Shadows

I pass by this plant on my walk every day. I love how the sun played with the leaves.

Distorted Sun

The humidity distorted the sun during this sunset last week from Whidbey Island. The second photo was a few minutes earlier.

Spanish Lavender

Salish Sea Sunset

These photos are of a recent sunset from Whidbey Island.

Olympic Mountains from Whidbey Island

The Olympic Mountains with a new coat of snow at the end of December, 2014. This view is from Libbey Park, a county park on the west side of Whidbey Island.

Dutch Boy at the Golden Hour

Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island.