Maryhill State Park

The park is along the Columbia near Goldendale, WA. It is near the Maryhill Museum and the Goldendale Observatory. 

Twin Sisters

Southwest of where the Snake and Columbia Rivers converge are two basalt pillars. While they are evidence of flooding erosion, there is also a legend associated with them involving a coyote and sisters. 

The views of the Columbia River from the top of the hill (not the pillars) are great. This one is to the west.

This view is to the east, to the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers. Yes, that's my car down there.

Morning Olympics

A December morning view from Oak Harbor.

The Mountain is Out

I walked the beach trail along Oak Harbor Bay this morning and was happy to see Mt. Rainier. Yes, those are whitecaps. The wind was chilly! And yes, that is an eagle on the channel marker. 

Umatilla Rock

Umatilla Rock is downstream from Dry Falls in the Grand Coulee. It is more evidence of the great flood that came through here thousands of years ago. One can hike around it but we were pressed for time so skipped the hike.

Dry Falls State Park

Near the end of the last ice age, an ice dam broke in what is now Montana releasing the lake captured behind it. The resulting flood scoured eastern Washington, creating the scab lands and coulees. It poured over what is now called Dry Falls, creating falls larger than Niagara.

We drove down to the bottom of the coulee, through the camping area to see the cliffs from the bottom.

The visitor center at the top of the cliff is very informative. It is certainly worth checking out this very unusual geological feature of Washington State.

Friday the 13th Moon