Reub's journey

09 October 2009

Friday Shoot-Out: Silhouettes

The idea of the My Town Shoot-Out is to post photos of your local community every Friday. This week's assignment was chosen by Carrie from Westport, Washington.

The Cascade Mountains range from northern California all the way to British Columbia; we feel lucky to have easy access to these gorgeous places in northern Oregon and southern Washington. The volcanic High Cascades are where we often go on backpacking trips. There are vast rugged wilderness areas, and every time I go up into them I feel grateful that my legs are strong enough to carry me there.

Before our daughter Jessica went off to Niger to be a Peace Corps volunteer, she and I (plus Eddy--we always take a dog) went on a 4-day, 3-night backpacking trip on the flank of Mt Adams, a volcano just a half day's drive from here. On the second night out we were high above the tree line, nobody else in sight, and violent weather swirling all around us. There were white tufts of mountain goat hair stuck in the stunted bushes, and melted snow running in rivulets at our feet. The wind had just turned icy. Those are the things I think about every time I look at this photo. I wish you could see and feel them too.


By sunset the next day we had hiked to a lower, friendlier altitude. We were just a stone's throw from the Pacific Crest Trail, but we had this cold, clear, little lake all to ourselves. Later, when your days get hard, in your mind you can retreat to places like this.

17 comments:

  1. I really like this post. I have just returned from hiking in Colorado so I can feel what you have written. I love the photos as well because they also tell the story. My word verification is 'pause' and I am glad that I did so here.

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  2. Very nice post. Your photos are exquisite and I agree in retreating to a place like that :)

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  3. Love the lake picture.Your commentary is very wise.

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  4. Oh wow they are both wonderful..to have such a wonderful shot of your lovely daughter..beautiful!! The second one speaks for itself..just perfection!! Sarah

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  5. I really like the lake picture. It sounds a little cold to contemplate a retreat like that for myself, but I'm really glad that it holds a special memory for you. Both photos are really good.

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  6. I love the second shot, so perfectly beautiful!

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  7. the first shot is very cool, but when I saw the second......took my breath away. stunning.

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  8. That photo of the lake and the clear water, and the trees - peaceful!

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  9. what a wonderful memory for all of you. I love the shot of the lake. gorgeous!

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  10. Lovely "soft" silhouettes. Thanks for sharing your special place, it looks like a wonderful retreat to me!
    Exquisite photos.

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  11. Becareful, don't go too near the crater. My sister was worried when we get up to the top.

    I love th elake, the reflection of the trees.

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  12. wow, that photo of the lake is beautiful.
    What a wonderful place to go backpacking, and in great company, too!

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  13. the reflection of the silhouettes is one of the best I have seen this week - Hope Jen catches it. good job.

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  14. WOW.

    This post was really wonderful. :)

    Your lake photo could be a cover shot for National Geographic.

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  15. The lake photo is absolutely stunning!
    That's quite the trip you made with your daughter - I bet it was a great bonding experience. Brrr, though!

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  16. Man, these were both awesome photo's! Great job.

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