The Dalles and Hood River
The Pacific Northwest is a palette of contrasting forces. Tremendous upheaval created a mountain range which became a barrier to the moisture laden clouds that blow eastward and slam into the Cascade Mountains. The Cascades are a subsequent obstruction to forests making any attempt to grow in their rain shadow. A part of this blockade, Mt. Hood, stood silhouetted against blue skies and blushed in alpine glow, soft rosy pinks defying the fiery volcanic origins.
The brisk chill of dawn thawed and warmed into a balmy morning, suitable for strolling amongst the pines and maples of the Mosier Tunnels. The vibrant gold of maple leaves were splashed against a bold backdrop of deep forest greens, the contrast created a memorable autumn display.
Historically, humongous floods scoured the Columbia River Gorge, tearing away countless tons of soil and vegetation, plucking apart basaltic cliffs and disgorging the entire plunder somewhere out to sea, far beyond the mouth of the Columbia River. Today gentle waterfalls, silver ribbons of water, now trickle towards the river, obeying the dictates of gravity.
In the late afternoon Mt. Hood is once again sighted, enveloped in a rosy glow, this time reminiscence of the apples laid out for our taste buds’ perusal. Apples and pears are part of the fruitful bounty harvested from the Hood River Valley. We enjoyed the evening and these succulent fruits, as sweet and crisp as a chill fall morning.
The Pacific Northwest is a palette of contrasting forces. Tremendous upheaval created a mountain range which became a barrier to the moisture laden clouds that blow eastward and slam into the Cascade Mountains. The Cascades are a subsequent obstruction to forests making any attempt to grow in their rain shadow. A part of this blockade, Mt. Hood, stood silhouetted against blue skies and blushed in alpine glow, soft rosy pinks defying the fiery volcanic origins.
The brisk chill of dawn thawed and warmed into a balmy morning, suitable for strolling amongst the pines and maples of the Mosier Tunnels. The vibrant gold of maple leaves were splashed against a bold backdrop of deep forest greens, the contrast created a memorable autumn display.
Historically, humongous floods scoured the Columbia River Gorge, tearing away countless tons of soil and vegetation, plucking apart basaltic cliffs and disgorging the entire plunder somewhere out to sea, far beyond the mouth of the Columbia River. Today gentle waterfalls, silver ribbons of water, now trickle towards the river, obeying the dictates of gravity.
In the late afternoon Mt. Hood is once again sighted, enveloped in a rosy glow, this time reminiscence of the apples laid out for our taste buds’ perusal. Apples and pears are part of the fruitful bounty harvested from the Hood River Valley. We enjoyed the evening and these succulent fruits, as sweet and crisp as a chill fall morning.
