Columbia Gorge Scenic Byway – Historic Columbia River Highway

Portland, Oregon.

Probably one of the most traveled scenic byways in the United States, this highway was constructed in 1913 and features 70 miles (112 km) of scenic wonders. Waterfalls and overlooks of the gorge entice many millions of tourists every year. Head out of Portland on I-84 and take the exit to Troutdale at exit 17. Pick up the Scenic Byway on U.S. Highway 30.

Cellpic Sunday – 11 April 2021

Buckeye, Arizona.

It wasn’t our first hike on this section of the Verrado Trails, but with a cloudy sky and cool temperatures, it was more pleasant than if it was under the typically hot Arizona sun. The hike is a giant loop clocking in at about 2.5 hours and 5.5 miles (8.8 km).

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – You Pick It!

These beautiful United States.

This week it’s Ann-Christine’s turn to challenge us, and she has given us unusual leeway in the topic “You Pick It!” That’s a pretty broad topic stated simply, “So, this week it’s all up to you – choose your subject and share whatever it is about it that you find interesting.” You can read her entire challenge post here.

Mount Rainier National Park – Ice on Top and Fire Inside

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington.

Rising some 14,410 feet (4,392 m) above sea level, this active volcano is “the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning five major rivers…” according to the National Park Service’s website. Our visit to the park on a beautiful October day afforded me an entire collection of views of the still-active volcano. Probably my favorite view of the mountain is from the Reflections Lakes scenic area. There are a couple of lakes here, and the parking area provides an interesting view of the mountain, but take a short walk to the east where there is a smaller lake that is part of the group known as Reflections Lakes. I found it to have a better reflection of the mountain. That is the viewpoint in my opening image.

Cellpic Sunday – 4 April 2021

Peoria, Arizona.

I always enjoy the views of the saguaro cacti on our hikes in Arizona. As I have commented many times over the years, this species of succulent is found only in the wettest desert in the world, the Sonoran Desert, mostly in Arizona and northernmost Mexico.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Geometry

This week, Patti Moed asks us to think geometrically. She writes, “The world is full of shapes. Circles, squares, ovals, triangles, and even some of your favorites from geometry class like parallelograms. For this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, we are focusing on geometry—shapes that are visually interesting and form a pattern or rhythm.” You can read her entire challenge post here.

Barrett-Jackson 2021 – Better Late Than Never

Scottsdale, Arizona.

Delayed by the pandemic, Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale came and went in late March 2021. Since my first visit in 2012, I have never missed this gathering of classic and modern automotive technology. I don’t have the finances to support buying at the auction, let alone having a place to store all of the beautiful vehicles that I come to see. No matter, I’m like a kid in a candy store with no money in my pocket when I get there. I can look, but I mustn’t touch.

Cellpic Sunday – 28 March 2021

Peoria, Arizona.

It’s about an hour’s drive from our house in Buckeye to Lake Pleasant. It’s a long way to go for a typical hike, but it’s such a beautiful location, I usually try to hike the Pipeline Canyon Trail at least once a year. That’s two-miles out, two miles back, and we get to cross a canyon on a floating bridge in the process.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – A Change of Scenery

This week, the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge features a guest host. Beth, of Wandering Dawgs Blog, asks us to share images that fit the theme “Change of Scenery.”  She writes about getting out and finding a change of scenery, and goes on to note, “If you are unable to get out right now, we’d love for you to browse through your archives to feature images from places you have visited in the past when you needed a change of scenery.” You can read her entire challenge post here.

Yakima Scenic Byway – State Highway 821

Yakima Valley, Washington.

There are several scenic highways connecting parts of the beautiful Yakima Valley. For this post, my camera is focused on a 25-mile (40 km) stretch of highway paralleling the Yakima River. That highway is known as State Route 821. The road winds through the valley right along the river’s edge when the valley floor is wide enough, and high on the valley when the level plain narrows to the point of having no more room for anything more than the river itself and the railroad track that was placed there first. In the opening image, both levels of the roadway are visible from this scenic pullout. In the distance on the valley floor, you can spot the highway near the water level.