A cold October sunrise at Lake Crescent looking East
Autumn leaves embrace an old growth tree in Gifford National Forest.
This is a special place for me, as I always reflect about the Press expedition who named this portion of the Elwha River "Goblin's Gates," because some of the rock formations looked like Goblin's faces. I've read, that since that time, 1890, some of the faces have fallen into the river. In the winter of 1889-1890. During the fall of 1889, the year Washington became a state, the Seattle Press newspaper called for "hardy citizens . . . to acquire fame by unveiling the mystery which wraps the land encircled by the snow capped Olympic range." This call was answered by James Christie, who volunteered to organize an expedition if the Press would finance it. The Press Party consisted of six men (one of them left the expedition early; five completed the trip) whom the Press described as having "an abundance of grit and manly vim," four dogs, two mules, and 1500 pounds of supplies. This group entered the Olympics in December 1889, one of the harshest and snowiest winters in the Peninsula's history.
After my friend had shown me this pond on a cold January morning, I thought of Henry David Thoreau. He published a book in 1854 called, " Life In The Woods," that describes Walden's Pond. Thoreau describes Walden Pond in his writings.
A little wayside creek on the way to the Lewis River in Southwest Washington.
~Autumn Window~ Vine Maples overlook the Lower Lewis Falls. I walked past this view several times looking for a better view of the Falls. For some reason I glanced to my left and liked the way the branches and leaves framed the waterfalls.
I'm always drawn to these little hidden places, that hold untamed wilderness rewards for those who take the time to discover and explore. Although a very small creek, I find this little gem a place of wonder. In another month this area will probably be wearing a blanket of snow.
Mother Nature created these unusual rock formations and textures on the banks of McDonald River in Glacier National Park.
This is Two Medicine Lake with Mount Sinopah as a backdrop. It was a blustery October morning with a strong wind that was whipping up the lake.
Fall Creek Falls plummets sixty feet into the South Fork of the Snake River.
Lake Crescent is 624 feet deep. It's also known for its brilliant blue waters and amazing clarity (Olympic National Park) As a child I remember driving around lake Crescent's twisty road with my Mom & Dad, secretly hoping we wouldn't drive off the road into the lake. Having picnic's and camping were part of my earliest recollections. I can recall my Mom telling me to wait for an hour before I could go swimming. I spent my 20th Birthday at this same spot, diving off the dock into it's frigid waters, surfacing, whilst hollering how cold it was to my friends. The scene before me was mesmerizing as it had not changed since my childhood. The morning I shot this photo it was a quiet morning with no one around but myself. It was a time to reflect about my childhood memories, and the great times spent here . "Each year I return, it's like visiting an old friend."
A small island in the middle of a small creek deep in the Columbia River Gorge..
Vincent Creek Falls plunges down several hundred feet below the Steel bridge in Mason County. This picturesque waterfall was taken from the steel bridge in Mason County. Read the link below. ~Hiker Falls Dramitic Rescue~ http://so.co.mason.wa.us/index.php?aid=646
Latourell Falls is unique among the best-known Columbia Gorge waterfalls, in the way that it drops straight down from an overhanging basalt cliff.
As summer ends Maple leaves fall to the earth to start another cycle. The days become shorter and colder. This is how the trees "know" to begin getting ready for winter. This is my favorite time of year when the ground wears another blanket of color. Soon to be followed by a covering of snow.
This little creek has no name, is passed by unnoticed on the side of a small gravel road on the way to the Lewis River.
If you’ve never rested on a log or rock deep in the wilderness miles from civilization and simply watched the slow moving water flow past you, you’re missing out on one of life's great pleasures.
Spirit Falls is a scramble down a steep moss covered talus slope. It's not an easy go as there really isn't a trail or signs to follow. As I made my way down to the river I could hear the roar of the falls. It's only 33' high, but it's a monster. Two kayakers have drowned going over the falls. It's a beautifully dangerous area.
