Palouse Falls descent - now THAT'S crazy

Amazing photographs in the Oregonian today. I hope they don't mind if I show them here. First one is by Eric Boomer, showing Tyler Bradt kayaking straight down in freefall over the 186-foot Plouse Falls.

The second one is by Ross William Hamilton--an incredible photo of Washington's beauty. I wish we could have explored Washington more fully while we were here. We're constantly amazed by the stunning natural wonders of the neighboring states.

By the way, Bradt made it out alive with only a sore wrist. Video of his drop is here.

Source: OregonLive

Nature in our Nature - Ecopsychology and Mental Health

The Oregonian has a story today about the field of ecopsychology and how our mental health is affected by our proximity to nature (or lack thereof). Starting with the study of hospital patients who healed faster when placed in a room with a view of trees (as opposed to patients who looked at a brick wall), and ending with a hopeful idea of teaching the benefits of being in nature, instead of haranguing people to save the planet from certain doom (not an effective strategy)--it's good stuff. But it's not easy to find on their Website (nothing is). So here you go.

Source: Story by Joe Rojas-Burke. Photo by Rob Finch, The Oregonian.

Hedge Creek Falls, California

It's all happening in Dunsmuir!

Mt. Shasta as seen through a windshield full of bugs

Driving to California this week.

Memorial Day, Contra Costa County

I'm visiting my parents and don't have all my camera equipment at the moment. Here's a photo from The Crosses of Lafayette site. Lafayette is a smallish suburb in the San Francisco Bay Area consisting mainly of upper middle-class citizens who I believe have become increasingly more liberal in political thought over the years. From this quiet place, a war memorial sprang up on a hillside above the BART train station. It's grown as the death toll in Iraq has grown. Perhaps neighboring town, Orinda can start their own memorial for Afghanistan. And so on, and so on...

Starvation Creek Tree

Columbia River Gorge - Latourell Falls

Spring Continues

Columbia River Gorge - Horsetail and Ponytail Falls

Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Go Crazy

If you're in the Portland area, head east along the Historic Highway and be amazed at the amount of water spilling everywhere. Must be quite a snow-melt this year.

Latourell Falls


Ponytail Falls

Portland Chinese Garden

Just a peek. It's a traditional Chinese garden covering one small, square block in downtown Portland. We didn't have enough $$$ to visit that day, but I'll be back. It's lovely in there.

Made in Oregon

The downtown Portland "Made in Oregon" sign is going through some changes. Its building's new owner, University of Oregon, wants to change the wording to "University of Oregon." City preservationists are saying, "Nay! Never!". Stay tuned...

The sign at night in all its glory.

Sheep

So pastoral.

Lily Meadow - Camas, WA

Potholes Falls, Camas, WA

Ten minutes from our house.