Not At Home Anymore
There is probably no phrase in the English language more terrifying than “why don’t you take a look at my vacation photos?” So if you shut down your computer and run screaming to a facility, I understand.
So why don’t you take a look at my vacation photos? I swear, there are only a million! Anyway, here’s the deal. My family hadn’t gone on a serious vacation since the Covid pandemic hit, so this year we went to Washington and Oregon. And one day, I hiked to the top of a little mountain. And it damn near wrecked me.
In my defense, this is what the trail was like. 2,800 feet up, mostly at a steep grade uphill.
Until this point, most of the way up was in spruce and pine forests, but once you got to the top there were amazing views of the Columbia River gorge.
This is my son, who is large and an adult, but I won’t burden with the unfortunate label of large adult son, taking in the view.
Volcanoes!
We were in the Cascades, and one of the crazy things for a Non-Westerner to realize is that you’re in the middle of a volcanic region.
On the trails you’re constantly seeing volcanic rock (basalt?) which was once filled with gas bubbles when it was formed out of lava.
From the top of the mountain you can see dormant (but dangerous) Mount Hood.
And as a relatively recent example of how violent these things can turn, Mount Saint Helens, which once looked like Mount Hood but blew up its upper level 43 years ago.
But Never Mind Geology
Whatever happens with volcanoes will happen in a year, or dozen, or hundred, or thousand. But now, right now, there are wildflowers! Incredible expanses of wildflowers, everywhere the sun shines.
…looks like a good trip & great weather
…having dutifully slogged up a munro or two while visiting family over the years…sometimes in notably less clement conditions
…I commend you on your obvious wisdom in going with sun & flowers rather than opting for rain, fog, mud…& of course, midges
…lovely pictures, too…I would consider subscribing to a newsletter…but I don’t know if I can commit to a slideshow?
I used to be friends with a guy that was a serious mountain climber. One time he put together a slide show and invited a group of us over to watch it. IT WAS 15 HOURS LONG! He expected us to return multiple evenings until we’d seen it all. He had literally traveled the world and was a fine photographer but damn, that’s an unedited Nat Geo special. So I’m happy to look at your mere dozen photos, lol. And it seems like you had a great time. The wildflowers are beautiful but I would also be a little uncomfortable with the idea of volcanic activity. And no way could I do a hike that steep anymore. Not with my one bad knee. Good for you.
Did I mention this was part 1 of 500?
😂
Glad you had a good time in the PNW. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful place with endless hiking trails and waterways to explore. I hope you got to experience some of our great beer culture too.
I had a can of a Portland beer that was a prize winning IPA and I liked it, but I have to admit I’m terrible and telling the differences between one brewer and another.
i miss hills and mountains….course whenever i have them again it usually doesnt take long for me to start bitching and moaning about having to climb them again either tho…
anyways…some very nice views you got up there
How are the logistics to take a train or bus to the Alps or Pyrenees? Now that bike racing is in full swing, I always see shots of fans lining mountain passes, and I’m curious how many are locals and how many are outsiders. I assume they don’t all drive there.
fairly straight forward actually…i mean…i’d have to take a preliminary train ride to one of the bigger train hubs towards the randstad
but from there its a pretty much a straight forward trip to most major cities in europe
and from most major cities its generally not hard to get the rest of the way by bus…unless its proper out in the sticks…in which case you’d most likely rent a car once you get off the train
in the case of the dutch tho…. we are infamous across europe for driving everywhere with our caravans
…everywhere feels like home if you can take it with you
…simples?
pretty much tho the dutch…and far as i know the english too take their food with them too
and thats where i draw the line…… what good is being abroad if you arent going to eat the local food?
-see Americans at any international McDs.
I never got that when I played tourist. As long as it wasn’t too strange for me, I gave the local food a shot.
come to think of it…the strayans have a much better name for caravans
wobble boxes
that..is one fantastically accurate description
Fun! Thanks for sharing!
Lovely images! Glad your vacation was good!!