Sentinel

Fog in the gorge highlighting one of my favorite scenes along Hwy 14 between Stevenson and Bingen. A lone tree, clinging to a rock outcropping, and standing guard over the hillside. How this little tree hangs on and manages to sustain itself I don't know. It always amazes me.

Back to the Gorge

Winter is my favorite time to drive into the gorge, because the weather varies so much from day to day. It's always a new scene.  Today's image is the companion shot to last week's post, On the Way to White Salmon. Both images taken from the same park/boat ramp just west of Cook, Washington; this one is looking west toward Cascade Locks and last week's is looking east toward White Salmon. For another winter view at this location click here. I almost didn't post today's photo, because I really object to the gray cloud reflection in the lower right. It really was a very overcast day, except for a few moments of bright sun on the nearby hills. The little house on the right is part of what appears to be a small family compound. I imagine the little homes like this one, dotting the banks on the Washington side, have been in the family for many generations.

Linking to Weekend Reflections.

Sunbreak

Dramatic clouds and sun in the gorge. I was on the Washington side, so this view is looking at Oregon which has the more dramatic landscape in the gorge. And this photo was taken close to Stevenson, which is often where the weather shifts as the river bends.

Clouds and Mist

 Another of my stops in the gorge, this time at Viento State Park. I love driving through the gorge in the winter months because it's often so misty like this.  Last year we stopped at a Starbucks for a cup of tea, and they had just switched their tea brands.  The new green tea was called Emporor's Clouds and Mist, and we thought that was the greatest name, because it was a cloudy and misty day, just like this one.  So somehow Clouds and Mist has stuck with me as a description of the gorge.