crepuscular rays

Rain and Sun

A sunny and desolate beach. A barren coast with muddy waters. The cold rush of the ocean breeze. Sparse farmsteads dotting the treeless plains around. A distant angry thunderstorm rushing to dump water.

I don't know what attracted my friend and I turn turn our car down the rocky road to this beach. Perhaps it was last spit of land before the frigid Arctic. Perhaps it was the confluence of a vast glacial-carved river valley with the windswept beach. Perhaps it was the only bit of sunlight surrounded by choppy weather.

The Kia struggled to navigate the maze of boulders before it finally gave up. I stood and looked out, gazing forlorn at the vast emptiness of the landscape around. The ominous clouds were primed to dump rain, leaving us but a few minutes to soak in the last bit of light. In the distance, a small clearing lit up a portion of the dark hillside. Whether it was rain or sun, I don't remember.

I was a few photos in, when the breeze became colder, and the first drops made their appearance. I ambled to the car, already turned around by my friend. We waved goodbye to the lonely land.

There was nothing else around, save the car and the open road. Adventures await.

Garossandur
Iceland

 

Remnants of a Fire

The rain beat a gentle tattoo on the roof of the house, reminding me that stranglehold of the winter storms hadn't truly melted away by the middle of spring. And with that, I was expecting a dreary hike in the mountains under gloomy grey skies, visibility marred by low-flying clouds and the characteristic misty drizzle of the Pacific North West. But that was not to be.

An atmospheric sky meandered high above, it's fast moving clouds dragging fleeting patches of shadow and light along the bright waters of the Columbia River. In the distance, crepuscular rays beamed down onto the rolling landscape, an endless series of mountain ranges stretching to the horizon. Tiny wildflowers were starting to embrace the warmth of the spring sun, braving freezing winds and occasional cloudy skies.

The bright and cheery scene was, however, marred by the blackened slopes on the southern side of the gorge, remnants of one of the most damaging wildfires in the Pacific Northwest - the Eagle creek Fire. It will take decades before the south side heals back its lush self.

It was a with a heavy heart I visited the Columbia River Gorge, and despite the giant scar, she was still beautiful.

Dog Mountain
WA USA