Tag: Landscape

Anniversary Getaway

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We started dating fifteen years ago, after six months of flirting. Two years later we married at 10:10am on 10/10/2010. For our 13th anniversary, Lori, my wonderful wife, planned a four day/three night getaway in a rustic cabin on a working cattle ranch just outside of Tillamook, Oregon. We, Lori, Willis and I, headed south on US101, stopping at the Lilliwaup Store for ice cream at the recommendation of our good friend, Vickie. It was well worth it, great ice cream! We then took a back route through Raymond, Washington, stopping at Fort Columbia State Park before crossing the Astoria-Megler Bridge into Astoria, Oregon. Lori found a great view of the bridge from Fort Columbia and I couldn’t resist taking some photos.

While in Astoria we stopped for lunch at a food truck Lori had discovered, Surf 2 Soul. Lori got a shrimp Po’ Boy, I had stacked chicken mac and cheese (blacked chicken on Cajun spiced mac and cheese). Willis, poor guy, had his regular kibble. We also got peach cobbler that was to die for. The food was plentiful, enough for another meal the next day, and just incredible. Jordan, the owner/chef, was as friendly as could be. Photos courtesy of Lori.

Stuffed, we left Astoria and headed south to Tillamook. Arriving at the cabin just before dusk, we ate a light dinner (still stuffed from lunch) and settled in for the night.

The next morning we awoke to the sound of mooing cattle. I’d seen longhorns before while driving through Texas but never this close. The fence separating us from the cattle was about 15 yards from the cabin! Our only concern for this getaway was Willis’ reaction to the cattle. We quickly found that concern to be unfounded, he couldn’t have cared less about the cattle. And the cattle couldn’t have cared less about him. Several of them were quite photogenic, as you can see below.

Bath Time

There was a beautiful sunset previous evening, but I didn’t have my camera ready. I was hoping for a repeat this evening. It did not let me down and my camera was ready.

Besides being on a cattle ranch, the cabin was on the Trask River. Lori and I spent much of our time relaxing, reading and watching the river flow by while Willis explored as far as his lead would allow. One morning I went down to the river to get photos of the sunrise. The sunrise to the east was not very interesting so I turned my attention to the west and took a few shots.

The morning of day four our getaway came to an end. Lori used her incredible Tetris skills to pack up the car, we said good bye to the rustic cabin, cattle and Trask River and headed home. What a great time I had with these two!

For more information on places mentioned in this post:

Fort Columbia State Park: https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/fort-columbia-state-park , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Columbia_State_Park

Astoria-Megler Bridge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astoria–Megler_Bridge

Surf 2 Soul: https://www.facebook.com/Surf2Souloregon , https://www.yelp.com/biz/surf-2-soul-astoria

Cabin/Campsite: https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/land/oregon-tillamook-trask-river-5x5h1jkm?adults=1&children=0

To see more of my photos visit https://jmacdphoto.com/

#Photography #Cattle #LongHorns #Trask River #Astoria-MeglerBridge

Sierras 2023

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The 14th annual camping trip to the Eastern Sierras with buddies, Al and Paul, was in late September, the 17th to the 22nd. I left Port Ludlow for the two day drive on the 16th. Following an overnight rest stop in Klamath Falls, Oregon, I arrived at the Big Bend Campground early afternoon the 17th. Al and Paul had gotten there couple hours before me and had most of the camp set up. After some catching up and a beer, we finished setting up camp and headed off to the creek. Paul and Al fish, I take photographs. From this first day: the waterfall near the entrance to Big Bend Campground and Al fishing somewhere along the creek.

We spent the next day along the creek, as well. I started above the waterfall, getting photos of the waterfall and the creek just below, then stopped at various places along the road with access to the creek. Found an odd mushroom and flowering thistle along the way.

On Tuesday, at Al’s urging, we went to May Lake in Yosemite. May Lake is near the center of the park. You take a narrow gravel road, off the main route through the park, for several miles, ending in a parking area. From the parking area it’s a mile and a quarter hike up the mountain to the lake. There’s a great view of Half Dome along the way.

It started raining as we were driving back to the campsite. Since the rain was not conducive for cooking dinner over a campfire, we decided it was time to go to Mono Cone for a dinner of burgers, fries and ice cream. By the time we got back to the campsite the storm was raging, loud thunder echoing through the ravine, lightning and heavy rain. With no chance of a campfire, we called it an early night.

Wednesday found us going to Tioga Lake and Ellery Lake. Both lakes are between our campsite and Yosemite. We’ve visited Tioga Lake pretty much every year, this was our first stop at Ellery Lake. That’s Paul fishing at Tioga Lake. The other photo is Ellery Lake.

Our final day was spent along the creek. The first photo is Paul demonstrating how to cross the creek, followed by the same shot without Paul. The rest of the photos are scenes along the creek.

Friday, the 22nd, we broke down the camp, said “Goodbye until next year” and I started the two day drive home. Another trip to the Sierras with good friends was over.

For more information on places mentioned in this post:

Yosemite: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yosemite_National_Park , https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm

May Lake: https://www.nps.gov/places/000/may-lake-trailhead.htm

Tioga Lake: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tioga_Lake

Ellery Lake: https://www.yosemitehikes.com/tioga-road/highlights-ellery-lake.h

Big Bend Campground: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20608 , https://www.monocounty.org/listing/big-bend-campground/1327/

Lee Vining: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Vining,_California , https://www.facebook.com/p/Mono-Cone-100063668375027/

Previous blogs from Sierras trips: https://jmacdphoto.com/eastern-sierras-2021/ , https://jmacdphoto.com/bodie-california-a-ghost-town/ , https://jmacdphoto.com/wildlife-photography-the-bear/

To see more of my photos visit https://jmacdphoto.com/

#Photography #LandscapePhotography #Sierras #EasternSierras #Yosemite #MayLake #TiogaLake #ElleryLake #LeeViningCreek

Deception Pass

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Deception Pass is a waterway between Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands in Puget Sound. It’s also Washington’s most visited state park with campgrounds, hiking trails, beaches, picnic grounds and more. It also has a bridge with spectacular views. Lori and I have taken the ferry to Whidbey Island, driving over the bridge to get to Bellingham to visit our granddaughter Aly, camp in British Columbia and see the tulip fields in Skagit Valley. Each time we’ve said “we need to stop here sometime.” I recently went that direction for an appointment and took some time to get a few photos. 

I caught a pre-dawn ferry from Port Townsend to Coupeville on Whidbey Island, so I got to see the sun rise while on the water. This is Mt. Rainier in silhouette, the sun still below the horizon.

Below are views from the Deception Pass Bridge, still getting some color from the rising sun. That’s Mt. Baker in the distance.

From the other side of the Deception Pass Bridge.

For more information on Deception Pass, as well as other Washington State Parks, visit parks.state.wa.us

To see more of Deception Pass and other places visit https://jmacdphoto.com/gallery-places/

Start at my home page, https://jmacdphoto.com/ , to visit all of my photography web site.

Lighthouses

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Like many folks I have a fascination with lighthouses and have had the opportunity to visit several in the last few years. Here are some of my lighthouse photographs.

The Pensacola Lighthouse is on the naval air station in Pensacola Florida. Ian was finishing training then heading to LA for his next assignment. I flew in there to help him on the long cross-country drive. While he was finishing his final day I wandered around the base, visited the Naval Air Museum and, of course, the lighthouse. The climb up the stairs was long and steep but worth the effort.

  • Pensacola Lighthouse, FL
  • Pensacola Lighthouse, FL

The Dungeness Spit Lighthouse is at the end of a six mile spit in Sequim Washington. A year ago, Lori and I hiked to the lighthouse with our friends Karl and Holly. The stairs weren’t as bad as the Pensacola Lighthouse’s but still tough after the hike getting there. I have to admit, we weren’t ready for a twelve mile trip, but are glad we did it.

  • Dungeness Spit Lighthouse, Sequim, WA
  • Dungeness Spit Lighthouse, Sequim, WA

The Cape Flattery Lighthouse is on an island off Cape Flattery. Lori and I drove out there on a day of adventure. A bit 0f trivia, Cape Flattery is the furthest western point on the contiguous US. It’s a short, beautiful hike to that point and is definitely worth it. The lighthouse is one of many great views from the point.

  • Cape Flattery Lighthouse, WA
  • Cape Flattery Lighthouse, WA

Lori and I went to Vashon Island for a day of adventure on our anniversary. Getting there involved a ferry ride, which we enjoy but this ferry loaded the vehicles on backwards. Interesting. We loved the whole island; the town, the parks and the lighthouse. It was a great way to celebrate our anniversary!

  • Vashon Island Lighthouse, WA
  • Vashon Island Lighthouse, WA

Fort Worden is on the outskirts of Port Townsend, WA. Port Townsend is an artsy community near us that Lori and I love to visit. The lighthouse is not open to the public but, as you can see, the gulls spend a lot of time hanging out on it.

To see more of my lighthouse photographs and other things visit https://jmacdphoto.com/gallery-things/