Waterfalls! Waterfalls!

Carol Freshley July 31, 2016

There are eight different waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and five of them are easily accessible from Interstate 84. No surprise, then, that the fearsome six photographers were all about checking out the waterfalls first when we started our 4 days of capturing magnificent images together. The memories we created were far better than any of the images you are about to see. We hope that you enjoy the photos anyway!

Yes!!  I would raise my arms too if I were not toting a camera and tripod! — Yes!! I would raise my arms too if I were not toting a camera and tripod!

Top of Multnomah Falls.  Ann, our superb hiker, gives us a very different perspective of the falls! — Top of Multnomah Falls. Ann, our superb hiker, gives us a very different perspective of the falls!

Taken while on the hike from Lower to Upper Horsetail.  Last time we were at Horsetail Falls (2013) it was raining so hard that getting up to the upper fall was not even considered.  So glad we got to do it this time.  Karen said she … — Taken while on the hike from Lower to Upper Horsetail. Last time we were at Horsetail Falls (2013) it was raining so hard that getting up to the upper fall was not even considered. So glad we got to do it this time. Karen said she wanted to send photos that not everyone else took. She nailed it here.

This is from the walk behind area at Upper Horsetail Falls.  He gives a hint of the interesting ceiling. — This is from the walk behind area at Upper Horsetail Falls. He gives a hint of the interesting ceiling.

Detail from the ceiling of the 'walk behind' area of Upper Horsetail Falls.

Only Greg and Ann could hike the difficult and treacherous path to Fairy Falls.  They returned with proof they had made it.  Neither took a tripod (understandable), so long shots were not possible. — Only Greg and Ann could hike the difficult and treacherous path to Fairy Falls. They returned with proof they had made it. Neither took a tripod (understandable), so long shots were not possible.

Top half of Multnomah taken from the bridge.

We had had plan!  We would arrive at Multnomah Falls VERY early and get some great photos in before the hordes of folks arrived to look in awe (just like us) at what Mother Nature can give us.  Well, Mother Nature sometimes laughs at the p… — We had had plan! We would arrive at Multnomah Falls VERY early and get some great photos in before the hordes of folks arrived to look in awe (just like us) at what Mother Nature can give us. Well, Mother Nature sometimes laughs at the plans that photographers make! Fogged in with a light drizzle that even intensified into a good rain! We took a few shots and then retreated to the lodge for a tasty and hearty breakfast.

From the parking lot.  Too close to the freeway barrier and the truckers were sounding their horns warning me to 'GET BACK'.  I moved when I got my photo but got pretty wet in the effort.  LOL — From the parking lot. Too close to the freeway barrier and the truckers were sounding their horns warning me to 'GET BACK'. I moved when I got my photo but got pretty wet in the effort. LOL

There are so many opportunities to capture images, sometimes with more emotion than the waterfalls. They come up along the paths and the creeks leading away from the falls. For us desert rats, these places are a wonderland!

On his way!!  I think this was taken on their hike to Fairy Falls.  If not, well . . . . any hike to a waterfall counts as there was plenty of that going on. — On his way!! I think this was taken on their hike to Fairy Falls. If not, well . . . . any hike to a waterfall counts as there was plenty of that going on.

If green is your favorite color, this blog entry is your cup of tea.  Green tea!! — If green is your favorite color, this blog entry is your cup of tea. Green tea!!

"Come on Carol.  We have to catch up with Ann!"  This is on the way up a steep trail to Upper Horsetail. — "Come on Carol. We have to catch up with Ann!" This is on the way up a steep trail to Upper Horsetail.

Nope, not going to catch up with Ann.  I want to dawdle, take my time, get rid of some lactic acid build-up and capture this scene of the Columbia River. — Nope, not going to catch up with Ann. I want to dawdle, take my time, get rid of some lactic acid build-up and capture this scene of the Columbia River.

On the path to Upper Horsetail.  It is hard to watch where you are stepping and checking out the scenery.  But, this type of terrain can catch me off guard and cause me and my gear to go sailing.  Don't ask me how I know that with cer… — On the path to Upper Horsetail. It is hard to watch where you are stepping and checking out the scenery. But, this type of terrain can catch me off guard and cause me and my gear to go sailing. Don't ask me how I know that with certainty!

Hmmmm . . . . this is a photo of?  Hmmmmm . . . . Sometimes it is better not to know exactly!  But, I did ask and this is 'just a wall' along a path. — Hmmmm . . . . this is a photo of? Hmmmmm . . . . Sometimes it is better not to know exactly! But, I did ask and this is 'just a wall' along a path.

Yes, Lefty our mascot was with us all week.  Here, getting a bit wet at Fair Falls. — Yes, Lefty our mascot was with us all week. Here, getting a bit wet at Fair Falls.

Antique Car Tour of the Gorge

Carol Freshley July 25, 2016

The invitation to antique car owners sent out by The Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway noted that to participate, vehicles must be model year 1949 or older and be 'true' antiques (meaning no hot rods or restore rods). Proper period attire was encouraged. The route took participants from Troutdale to The Dalles along old Highway 30.

In preparation for photographing this event, Tom and I found a spot along the road that he deemed had the right background for these great cars.  But, they came around that curve down the road very fast.  When the first car whizzed by us T… — In preparation for photographing this event, Tom and I found a spot along the road that he deemed had the right background for these great cars. But, they came around that curve down the road very fast. When the first car whizzed by us Tom jumped out of the car and ran to get into position so he would not miss any more.

Tom was the only photographer but he still got a smile and a wave.

Antique cars are not Tom's forte so he is not sure of the make and model of these cars.

There was something very lovely about these old cars cruising down a historic highway.  There were very few other cars on the road. — There was something very lovely about these old cars cruising down a historic highway. There were very few other cars on the road.

After all of them had passed us we drove behind them in hopes to be able to photograph them while they were parked at the Vista House, an old building built on a lookout point where you can see miles in either direction along the Columbia River. They were scrunched into the tiny parking lot that was also shared by tourists. You could see on people's faces that they were surprised and delighted to get something more than a view of the river!

Being able to parallel park was not listed as a requirement but it sure came in handy.

Hahahahaha!  Let's double park!  What a view! — Hahahahaha! Let's double park! What a view!

Three modes of transportation covered here.

We made sure we left before the tour continued onward. We discussed getting ahead of them and taking some more photos but we realized that we could be very delayed in getting back to our coach.

Silver Falls State Park

Carol Freshley July 18, 2016

This park has wonderful descriptors. It is known as the 'crown jewel' of Oregon's State Parks. It is also called the Trail of Ten Falls. With some 9,000 acres and located just 45 minutes from Salem in Oregon's Cascade Mountains it has all the ingredients to make an incredible destination get-away.

This is South Falls, the first waterfall most people see when they start the trail.  It is 177 feet tall and offers hikers an opportunity to walk behind the fall as part of the trail to the next fall. — This is South Falls, the first waterfall most people see when they start the trail. It is 177 feet tall and offers hikers an opportunity to walk behind the fall as part of the trail to the next fall.

Not surprisingly, where you stand, the focal length and other camera setting can radically change the look of any of the waterfalls.

The pool at the bottom was much smaller than I would have imagined.  It ran off into a rather tame stream.  By July, we were told, the falls are already running short of water.  "You should have been here in April!", one of the locals… — The pool at the bottom was much smaller than I would have imagined. It ran off into a rather tame stream. By July, we were told, the falls are already running short of water. "You should have been here in April!", one of the locals told me. He then shook his head and addressed the waterfall. "You are just not what you once were!"

Tom is taking you for a walk behind the fall.  Promise we won't do that with every one! — Tom is taking you for a walk behind the fall. Promise we won't do that with every one!

About this green color. . . The falls are located in a lush heavily forested environment. There are streams everywhere, everything is damp or wet and the overhead canopy keeps the falls in the shade most of the day. This is ideal for photography because the white waterfalls do not get blown out. When sun does shine through the foliage there are opportunities to catch back-lighting of just about anything. I felt as though someone had dropped me onto another planet!

This is Lower South Falls at just 93 feet.  It falls from the top onto basalt. — This is Lower South Falls at just 93 feet. It falls from the top onto basalt.

Cory told me that she loved the verdant green but after processing it for a while she was tired of it.  I am with her on that one.  Tom looked over at her photo and said, "Nice.  I did not think of using black and white." — Cory told me that she loved the verdant green but after processing it for a while she was tired of it. I am with her on that one. Tom looked over at her photo and said, "Nice. I did not think of using black and white."

Walking further up the path and the look changes.

A little more than a mile hike to the next fall.  The total hike is said to be 6.4 miles and is rated as moderate to strenuous.  Since we stop and shoot, stop and shoot . . . we were not really terribly challenged until we were done with t… — A little more than a mile hike to the next fall. The total hike is said to be 6.4 miles and is rated as moderate to strenuous. Since we stop and shoot, stop and shoot . . . we were not really terribly challenged until we were done with the photography, a bit on the tired side and then read the sign that said it was 1.6 miles to the parking lot.

This is Lower North Falls at just 30 feet.  Notice how casually I can say 30 feet!  I can remember a waterfall on the Rim that was maybe 12 feet and I was excited to photograph it!  This fall does not lend itself to photography. … — This is Lower North Falls at just 30 feet. Notice how casually I can say 30 feet! I can remember a waterfall on the Rim that was maybe 12 feet and I was excited to photograph it! This fall does not lend itself to photography. Access is poor and those huge logs sort of spoil the shot.

On we march to the next waterfall.  We are not exactly 'dawdling'.  There are just so many opportunities to get distracted.  Cory has a real gift for seeing the unusual. — On we march to the next waterfall. We are not exactly 'dawdling'. There are just so many opportunities to get distracted. Cory has a real gift for seeing the unusual.

This is Double Falls.  When water is plentiful there are two falls that come over the second ledge.  If you look carefully, there is an upper fall and then a lower fall.  The second, or double part of the fall would be to the right of… — This is Double Falls. When water is plentiful there are two falls that come over the second ledge. If you look carefully, there is an upper fall and then a lower fall. The second, or double part of the fall would be to the right of the fall you see.

The pool at the base of this fall is a popular wading pool and it took forever for me to get a crowd-free photo.  This is also selfie-photo paradise as you can walk right up to the base of the fall and take a photo of yourself with waterfall al… — The pool at the base of this fall is a popular wading pool and it took forever for me to get a crowd-free photo. This is also selfie-photo paradise as you can walk right up to the base of the fall and take a photo of yourself with waterfall all around you. Good place to soak your gear!

The paths are quite nice, even though some parts are steep.  Access to good clear shooting was sometimes problematic because of the crowds and foliage. — The paths are quite nice, even though some parts are steep. Access to good clear shooting was sometimes problematic because of the crowds and foliage.

On to another waterfall.  A bit winded at 10,000 feet + and my gear was getting heavy.  However, we were too far away from the parking lot to go back.  Might as well finish the loop and get in a few more waterfalls. — On to another waterfall. A bit winded at 10,000 feet + and my gear was getting heavy. However, we were too far away from the parking lot to go back. Might as well finish the loop and get in a few more waterfalls.

This is Drake Falls (27 feet).  To get a photograph of this falls you have to lean way over a wooden railing and hand hold your camera and just guess where you are pointing!  This is the only one I kept . . . just to prove I was there.&nbs… — This is Drake Falls (27 feet). To get a photograph of this falls you have to lean way over a wooden railing and hand hold your camera and just guess where you are pointing! This is the only one I kept . . . just to prove I was there. Cory wisely declined to try this one. Tom politely pointed out that this may just about be my worst shot ever. Nothing is in focus. I know.

This is Middle North Falls at 106 feet.  Must have had a brief moment of sunlight coming through the clouds for this one. — This is Middle North Falls at 106 feet. Must have had a brief moment of sunlight coming through the clouds for this one.

Tom will walk us under the waterfall and to the other side.

Winter Falls?  A waterfall?  A trickle that was roaring in April.  Our last fall.  A long trek through this marvelous dense forest to get to our car. — Winter Falls? A waterfall? A trickle that was roaring in April. Our last fall. A long trek through this marvelous dense forest to get to our car.

It takes about two and a half hours to drive to Silver Falls State Park from Redland. The morning drive was magical. The ride home not so much. Here are some photos taken by Tom and Cory from the car or from a very short stop along the road.

We stopped at Rosie's to get coffee and muffins.  Wonderful Morning Glory muffins.  Unfortunately they were closed on our return.  I would have picked up another muffin.  Tom was drawn to the coffee cups pattern in the lace. — We stopped at Rosie's to get coffee and muffins. Wonderful Morning Glory muffins. Unfortunately they were closed on our return. I would have picked up another muffin. Tom was drawn to the coffee cups pattern in the lace.

There are Christmas tree farms in the area.

We hope you enjoyed the hike!