Tiptoeing into the Cascades

I am at the westerly edge of the Cascades for a few days.  I decided to head into the foothills to see how far I could get.  I knew it wouldn't be far.  I won't be able to get to Crater Lake until late June because of all the snow that is up there.

Approaching the foothills, I could see that even they had snow on them.

The area is part of a National Forest.  I was amazed at how green and lush everything was.

My way in and up followed streams until I had to turn around because of the snow.  The area abounds with rushing streams and waterfalls.

Sooo nice!

The Central Oregon Coast

This set does not do justice.  The area is beautiful and, with more time, better light, and more energy to get to the shots I can visualize, I would do better.  I have the time but getting onto the beach at the times of great light, well, that's harder.  So, here is a sampling.

First, Puff, the Magic Dragon, asleep in the sand.

Next, the Newport Bridge.

Kite flying on the beach...

Driftwood

Windblown surf

The colors of the coast.

Finally, stormy weather at the shore.

Home

I am in Newport, Oregon, my home-to-be.  I have started the documentation of 6 continuous months in state for residency requirements.  So far, the sky is kind of overcast, so it is not good for photography but watch this space - more to come!

Wowzers

I almost don't know where to start.  In a busy day of photography I might shoot 120 of my 240 shot capacity.  Yesterday, I shot 221.  First, I drove to Gooseneck State Park, an overlook of multiple bends on the San Juan River.  (Don't forget to click on the photos for the full sized shots)

After that, I took a gravel road with switchbacks up a bluff to a higher altitude

where I had some nice, snow-covered vistas.  I am sure those of you in the northeast must be envious of the pretty snow here.

I then drove to Natural Bridges National Monument.  I tried my hand at black and white, using as my subject a worn cedar tree trunk.

I am more familiar with color, which I returned to for the bridges.

After that, it was back to Monument Valley.  First, the mid-afternoon shots.

Then, sunset.

 

  

  

  

And my final shot for this post...

Goulding's Monument Valley Camp Park

Wow.
Check out the view that I have!

 

  

 

Travelin' Man

February was... not busy.  I mostly just hung out.  Mid-month, I took a ride on some minor roads to get a look at Cookes Peak.  I had seen it from about 30 miles away.  Now, I got a look from 3 or 4 miles.

At the end of the month it was time to leave Elephant Butte Lake and head for Monument Valley.  The Lake said goodbye with a dawn showing some impressive "God Rays".

Monument Valley in Arizona is a location that has been used so many times for movie scenes that it is iconic.  Getting there, I traveled from southern New Mexico to northern New Mexico, into Arizona just a few miles from Colorado, north into Utah, then south into Arizona again, finishing at my campsite in Utah. 

Approaching the Valley, the skyline was impressive.

Next post, light cooperating, I will show you the view from my campsite.  Meanwhile, I leave you with this...