Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Travelog 4

Western Wear--
On our way to Hood River we took a side trip to Smith Rock. One of my big regrets lately, and I have a few, is my inability to do some serious hiking that I so loved. I was envious of the hikers getting into their gear and heading up the many switchbacks on these rocks. And if I just closed my eyes, I felt like I was amid canyon walls in Utah. Another magnificent aspect of this natural stone outcropping is they pop out of almost nowhere in the land, stick jaggerly out of the earth and then are gone just as fast. The next thing you realize is that you are back on a highway with Ponderosa pines and Western Whites towering over the roadway that you can almost roll down the window and touch just about all the way to the Columbia River.
It was indeed some side trip.
I'm still in wonder.
Now, if I only had a cowboy hat! 

18 comments:

  1. North west of USA is fantastic to see , and I think everyone would like to become a "cow-boy" among such landscapes!

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  2. Hmm, just popped up out of nowhere, you say. Would make me wonder what huge geologic forces might be going on even at that very moment under my feet. :-0

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  3. Rumor has it (a 'rumor' you started) there's a cowboy hat in the mail winging it's way to Maine.
    I knew you wouldn't be able to resist.
    I can so see you in cowboy hats and boots....as long as you don't start roping....

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  4. I never was a hiker, but looking at this place I can easily understand your point!

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  5. Stark terrain; I would love to hike out there.

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  6. Beautiful photo of this place and you describe it magically.

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  7. Just beautiful! One of these days I'm going to visit that area of the country.

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  8. Beautiful country, that American West. I love the contrasts between some western states & New England. Lucky you!

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  9. Looks like a great place to explore.

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  10. Very nice, pardner!


    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>

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  11. I've hiked portions of the Appalachian Trail, but never so far north as Maine. That's a dream of mine.

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  12. Beautiful spot! I'll have to add this to an Oregon trip.

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