COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE EXPEDITION

 One of the most beautiful areas I have ever visited (not including the lovely Ozark Mountains where I live), is the Columbia River Gorge, between the states of Oregon and Washington, in the Pacific Northwest.  It is not surprising that the area has been designated by the Department of the Interior as a National Scenic Area.  I took this photograph from the Women's Forum State Park, near Portland, Oregon.  The dome-roofed building seen on the distant bluff on the right, is called the Vista House at Crown Point State Scenic View Point.  The Vista House (which was built soon after the scenic highway was dedicated in 1916) gives the visitor a 30-mile panoramic view of the Columbia River Gorge, from 733 feet above sea level.   It is truly a majestic experience, and there is no charge to visit the Vista House! 

 There are 11 waterfalls along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway.  The highest waterfall along the drive is 620-foot-tall Moltnomah Falls, shown in this photograph.  There is a (free!)  Interpretive Center at the base of the falls, that has displays of the biology, geology and history of the area.  Also located at the base, is a historic and picturesque restaurant, which gives you great views of the waterfall, as you dine.  On one of my visits to dine there, it happened to be my birthday, and celebrating life in such a gorgeous location, made it a memorable birthday, indeed.

 The Columbia River Gorge intersects with parts of the Historic Oregon Trail, with appropriate historical markers placed along the route, such as this one.  My husband and I actually climbed to the top of Beacon Rock, mentioned in the marker, and seen in the distant horizon of this photograph.  Although it is quite steep, no technical climbing equipment was needed for our ascent, as steps were constructed decades ago, to provide access to the summit of this strategic location along the river. 

 The section of the Columbia River shown in this photograph serves as the boundary line between northern Oregon(left side)  and southern Washington (right side).

 The bridge shown in this photograph is located in the town of Cascade Locks, Oregon.  If you walk across this bridge, you can say, "I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail between Oregon and Washington" because the bridge is the "the link" that connects those two sections  of the 2,650 mile pedestrian "path" between Mexico and Canada, that has been designated as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.   Of course, I had to do that, and now have the hiking medallion on my walking stick as "proof"!!

 I took the Columbia Gorge Stern wheeler cruise on my last visit, and was able to observe examples of age-old fishing techniques, still being practiced.  However, such practices are not allowed for the general public.  Rather, there are various treaties that allow Native Americans to fish in waters, that are off limits to non-Native Americans.

 The snow-covered mountain shown in this photograph, is Mt. Hood.  Even though the photo was taken in June, there is still considerable snow that has not melted. 

 Long before I was ever able to visit this area in person, I had seen a television program about this being the "mecca" for wind surfing; so I was delighted to see so many windsurfers out enjoying their sport, on my last visit to the section of the Columbia River Gorge, that is near the town of Hood River, Oregon.

 There is such a prevalence of windsurfers here, that they have formed the Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association, with a very helpful website, located at www.gorgewindsurfing.org .

 In addition to windsurfing, one can still enjoy good "old-fashioned sailing", with rentals and instruction available from www.hoodriverwaterplay.com  .   Years ago, I took a two-day sailing certification course from the Annapolis Sailing School ( www.annapolissailing.com ).  Alas, however, my little Annapolis Sailing Certificate was not sufficient for my brother-in-law to trust me alone at the helm of his 42-foot sail boat Cirrus, on our sailing adventures along the New England coast area! 

 With the cold waters from snow melt running into the Columbia River Gorge, it is not surprising that all the participants were wearing full wetsuits, even on a hot day in June!

 This photograph shows a "long shot" of a kite boarder, with his kite seen hundreds of feet above him, near the mountaintop.

 As with windsurfers, the town of Hood River is also a mecca for kite boarding. ( But, lest you think that you have to be a "macho man" to find activities of interest in Hood River, you will see by going to www.hoodriver.org there are NUMEROUS shops, restaurants, orchards, and wineries to keep you entertained, without having to put on a wet suit! )

 Since the kite boarder is actually "flying" at some points of his/her experience, it is not unusual for a kite boarder to start in Oregon, but end up a few minutes later in Washington!

 Because kite boarding involves a greater degree of risk, there are actually strict rules that govern where kite boarders can practice their sport.  These rules, as well as numerous other types of helpful information, can be found at www.NWKite.com  .

 An ever-present risk for kite boarders is that the lines connecting YOUR harness to you, get crossed with the lines of ANOTHER kite boarder, or structure, such as a bridge.  This photograph illustrates just such a mishap.

 However, while spending the day watching the kite boarders, and listening to them talk about the experience afterwards, it was clear that this sport was what put the "wind in their sails", when it came to adrenalin-seeking activities.  They craved the feel of the wind tugging them upward, followed by the rush of skipping across the water.

Seeing the many ways that the rivers of the Columbia Gorge area provide recreation, happiness, entertainment, irrigation, transportation, and livelihood, I was reminded of John 7:37 that says "If a person believes in me, Rivers of Living Water will flow out of his heart."   Now THAT is a river that will sustain you FOREVER, and give you MILES OF SMILES!  Tricia

"BREAKING DAWN" ON FORKS EXPEDITION

 It was just "breaking dawn",  when I crossed the famous Narrows Bridge that would connect me to the mysterious Olympic Peninsula area of  northwest Washington State.  (Civil engineer history buffs may recall this is the location of the famous "Galloping Gertie" bridge that was destroyed by "evil forces", i.e., laws of physics, several decades ago).

 Although I had read that there were wonderful parks and hiking areas beneath the bridge, along the shore line, I had to forgo exploring them, in order to meet my goal of circumnavigating the entire Olympic Peninsula in just one day.

 I had to settle for using the telephoto lens of my camera, rather than my feet, to give me some photographs of the area known as Gig Harbor.  Maybe on my next visit, I can take the Gig Harbor boat tours offered by my friends at Destiny Harbor Tours  ( www.DestinyMarine.com )

  As I mentioned, it was just "Breaking Dawn" when I started this expedition, so the Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitor Center was still "asleep".  However, some displays and visitor literature were outside, and available to folks at times when the building was closed.

 Circumnavigating the Olympic Peninsula via U.S. Highway 101 will take you through the (now-famous) town of Forks, Washington.

 Even if you have not been an avid reader of the Twilight series of books, or a viewer of the Twilight movie series, once you are in downtown Forks, you begin to see that they are making the most of their newly-found intrigue.  The Native to Twilight store carried handmade and local items that support and represent the talented First Nations artists of the area.  Twilight fans will recall that Jacob relates First Nations Quileute legends to Bella early in the series.

 The silhouettes represented on this "Dazzled by Twilight" storefront are instantly recognizes as Bella in the center, Jacob on the left, and Edward on the right.   It was along this main thoroughfare in Forks, that I  drove under a banner stretched above the highway proclaiming "Stephenie Meyer Day".  I made a note to google that name later and found out that Stephenie Meyer, a devout Mormon, is the author of the Twilight Saga.  As a result, September 13 has been dubbed "Twilight Day" in her honor, in recognition of the September 13 birthday of Bella, the series heroine.

 And what's a scary campfire story about vampires and werewolves, if you have no wood to fuel the fire all night long, to scare away those wild creatures hidden in the darkness??  Twilight Firewood concession has solved this problem!

 Long before Forks was famous as the setting for the Twilight Saga, its main "claim to fame" was the Forks Timber Museum.

 The grounds of the museum have picnic tables, and gigantic logs that are reminders of the ancient forests that surround the little community of fewer than 4,000 residents.

 Since I had been driving for quite a distance, I was on the lookout for a restroom when I went through Forks.  This structure on the grounds of the Timber Museum caught my eye as a possible "out house".  Closer examination, however, revealed it was made from a single, hollowed out tree trunk!  It was there as another reminder of the logging history of the area.

 Still on the hunt for a restroom, I pulled into a health care facility, knowing they could be of assistance in this area.  In all my years of working in the health care field in Arkansas, I had never seen a toilet like the toilet at this place.  It had more options on it than I had time to try out or read, so I just took a photograph of it for further study!  I learned later that the physician in the Twilight Saga (who has a mysterious history as a kind of "vegetarian" vampire) is said to have worked at this health care facility.  So maybe his influence can account for the somewhat complicated-looking toilet!

 I saw this same group of women walking together at several different locations along my Olympic Peninsula expedition, and it is a reminder to say to any male readers of this blog, that the Forks Chamber of Commerce has recognized their draw to the female tourist, by incorporating a link on their website ( www.forkswa.com ) that is to help the male companions of these female Twilight series fans, find activities to do while their significant others are busy touring locations mentioned in the saga's books and movies!  In fact, it was a road trip to Forks, Washington, that my female cousins took a few years back, that was the first I had ever heard of the little town of Forks!

Part of the popularity of the Twilight Series is the lure of forbidden romance in the relationships that its heroine Bella encounters.  When I saw this couple silhouetted on the beach, I was reminded of the Twilight figures I had seen silhouetted on the storefront in Forks, and imagined it was Bella and Edward----or is that Jacob??!!

 Upon returning to my home in the Bible Belt, I came across this Multnomah  publication at a local Christian book store.  Since I had just been in Forks, I picked it up.  The back cover states that Touched by a Vampire investigates the themes of the Twilight Saga from a Biblical perspective, and that it is written for Twilight fans, parents, teachers, and youth workers. The overview of the series that it provided was very helpful to me, since I had not read the books.  Also, the discussion guide it included for small group use, raised some interesting questions.  It started me thinking:  Maybe the evil, blood sucking vampires could represent rampant greed, affluence, and consumerism!  It also made me recall one of my First Place 4 Health ( www.FirstPlace4Health.com ) memory verses from Ephesians 6:12-13 that says "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you  may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."    So before you go out into this dark world, remember to put on the full armor of God, as well as the "amour" of God!  That way, you will be able to have "miles of smiles" on whatever expedition you take!  Tricia

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

 I have had the good fortune to have visited many U.S. National Parks over the years, but this fall was my first opportunity to see Olympic National Park, which is in the state of Washington, and occupies almost a million acres of the Olympic peninsula. 

 The Olympic National Park Visitor Center is in the town of Port Angeles, Washington. This amphitheater made of split logs provides a great setting for outdoor classes/lectures conducted by park rangers and volunteers.

 It also provides a scenic spot for a picnic, that overlooks the vast body of water on the horizon, that is a part of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. 

 Even if the Visitor Center is closed, there is an excellent map mounted on the exterior wall that can be helpful in planning your exploration of the park.  And you need not look for a "short cut" route through the mountains, to get to the western edge of the peninsula.  Any access roads into the interior, end  in fewer than twenty miles into the park.  This policy of no roads passing through the interior, is to preserve the wilderness. 

 I would recommend timing your visit so that the Visitor Center will be open, because it helps you develop an appreciation for the wilderness you will be seeing, through its museum displays, that relate the history of the Northwest Coast Indians.

 Likewise, the exhibits will introduce you to the wildlife of the park.

 This large, wall-mounted topographical map helped me visualize the terrain I would be driving through, as well as the terrain I would be seeing on the distant vistas.

 This "slice" of Olympic timber, was appropriately called an "EpiLOG", and had been expertly dated from its beginning in the year 1359, up through the year it was harvested in the early 1900's.

 The Visitor Center also has animal mounts representing some of those creatures found within the park boundaries. 

 I have found the gift shops in national parks to provide more than souvenirs of your visit, as they can provide a preview of all the magnificent scenery you are about to experience.  An instructor at a photography workshop I went to advised us students to ALWAYS check out the post cards for sale at a new area you are visiting.  He said it will give you some clues as to what the most scenic locations will be along your journey.  This is also the place you can use the unique (free!) National Park date stamp for the place you are visiting.  You usually have to ask a clerk for it, as it is sometimes kept under the counter to keep the ink pad from drying out.  I like to stamp several blank sheets of paper with the date and location, that I can later put with photographs I have taken, or in my travel journal.  This is also the place where you can get that little brass souvenir medallion to add to your hiking stick.

 The most accessible mountain area is Hurricane Ridge at 5,242 feet.  To get there, you take this paved road for 17 miles from the Visitor Center in Port Angeles .

 Other areas in the park take you along the famous Highway 101, with sections of it being designated as a part of the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway.

 In addition to taking you by the Pacific Coast, Highway 101 also passes along the southern shore of Lake Crescent.  This photo is a reminder to say that sailing is one of the water recreation sports available there, as well as canoeing and kayaking.

 There are a very limited number of spots along Lake Crescent where you can pull over to do photography, so I was not at all disturbed by the frequent delays along that stretch, for road repairs.  It gave me an opportunity to take some photographs!

 Lake Crescent is surrounded by high mountains with expansive forests of Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, western hemlock and western red cedar.

 This is one of the places along your scenic drive where you can pull off to park to do a little hiking and exploring of the ecosystems of the park.  The placards there describe the areas you are seeing, as well as some of their history.

 This path leads down to the cliffs one must navigate to get to the water below.

 At the bottom, you are rewarded with some closeup views of "sea stacks"---those irregularly shaped islands that result from eons of wave and wind erosion. 

 Of course, with this much water around, it is not surprising that there are light houses to explore, which is always fun for the people who are fascinated by these historic beacons for navigation.  Just as the light from their tower has been the salvation of many a sailor, so Psalm 27:1 reminds us "The LORD is my light and my salvation---whom shall I fear?"

 The national parks of the United States of America truly are a national treasure.  Did you know that 264 of our 397 national parks NEVER charge an entry fee?  Although the entry fees are never prohibitive, during Veterans Day weekend of November 10 - 12, 2012,  entry fees for ALL national parks are waived.  So start planning your visit now!  Just log on to www.nps.gov/olym for in depth information about Olympic National Park and the  resources available to you.  Visiting  this national treasure will give you miles of smiles!  Tricia