December 27, 2003
A Drive Through Western Oregon
Some days I just have to get out of the city.
My Italian friend Giorgio inspired me. He visited us for Christmas (in Boise) and desperately wanted to drive in the countryside. “I need to see the American West,” he said. “This is all so exotic to me.”
Venice, Rome, and little Italian hill towns are old hat to him. 300-foot tall Evergreen spires are like trees on another world.
So we drove through the high desert and up into the mountains. “It looks like Lord of the Rings here” he said. I could see what he meant. The region around Boise looks a lot like Rohan.
Today I took a drive from my own city of Portland to the Pacific. I left the lush Willamette Valley behind, climbed into snow in the Coast Range mountains, and hit the beach as the sun came out. I tried to see my countryside through the eyes of a foreigner. I’ve lived in Western Oregon for almost 30 years, so it’s hard. But the beauty of this place still astonishes all the same.
All photos copyright Michael J. Totten
Haystack Rock cool, do they still have the sand castle contests. Took part of one many years ago, Seals at play was our entry. Took judges choice, what a blast.
Posted by: wayne at December 28, 2003 01:38 AMAs a transplanted midwesterner slumming on the east coast, my eyes are foreign enough. Those are some beautiful shots.
I particularly like the shot of the trestle. Is it still used? Where is it? I have an amateur interest in western railraod history -- looks pretty cool.
Posted by: harry at December 28, 2003 08:02 AMHarry,
I don't know if the tressle is still used. It is about 20 miles west of Forest Grove, 5 miles north of Hwy 26.
Posted by: Michael J. Totten at December 28, 2003 10:24 AMthose beautifully snow-capped pines make a transplanted californian's heart teeter a bit, i have to confess. living in the bay has many advantages, but enjoying four seasons isn't one of them.
Posted by: harm d. at December 28, 2003 01:06 PMHard D,
I have to drive into the mountains to enjoy the fourth season. We don't really get Winter in Portland. We get three months of late Fall followed by three months of early Spring. It's been five years since snow has accumulated around my house.
Posted by: Michael J. Totten at December 28, 2003 01:11 PMBeautiful country. Spent last October in Netarts Bay. Still trying to get down to Bandon Dunes and a return trip to Bend.
Posted by: Bird Dog at December 28, 2003 02:43 PMThose are great shots Mike. The only thing is that it just gives me one more part of the county to visit. It's going to take a lifetime to see it all.
Posted by: Scott at December 28, 2003 07:45 PMNice shots. What sort of camera were these taken with?
Posted by: Graham at December 28, 2003 10:06 PMGraham,
It's a two-year old digital camera. Nothing special. Everything on the market today is surely better.
Posted by: Michael J. Totten at December 28, 2003 11:24 PMIt's been five years since snow has accumulated around my house.
Sheesh, Michael, what have you said?? There's three inches of the white stuff now at my house, and rising rapidly... (I'm at Taylor's Ferry and SW 52nd)
Posted by: Brian Swisher at December 29, 2003 08:36 AMYes, I just happen to have snow around my house today for the first time in five years. Bad timing on posting the above, eh? It must have started snowing an hour after I posted it.
Posted by: Michael J. Totten at December 29, 2003 09:01 AMHa! I'm just glad it's not raining for once. :)
Posted by: karrie at December 29, 2003 01:08 PMNice stuff Michael.
AISB 'taint the camera--it's the eye.
Posted by: Stephen at December 30, 2003 03:59 PM
