Nature

Snoqualmie Falls Washington

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One of the most popular attractions in the Seattle area is the Snoqualmie Falls, a 269 foot single drop waterfall. The falls are near the town of Snoqualmie, which also offers interesting attractions to tourists and locals alike.

View from the observation deck

The area became an active logging site in the 1870’s with logs actually floated over the falls. In 1889 a railroad was built, opening the logging trade further. The town of Snoqualmie was platted in 1889 as well, and by the 1890’s Charles Baker had constructed an underground hydroelectric plant at the falls. Some of the original generators still function today.

 

 

 

 

It is very easy to gain access to the falls. Free parking is available, and an easy walk on the pedestrian bridge leads to the concrete paths to observation decks. If you prefer, for $7.00 you can park next to the gift shop next to the observation decks.

Salish Lodge, note the wedding tent

Beautiful scenery from the observation deck

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Salish Lodge and Spa offers high end accommodations, spa, and dining. Many use the striking views as a place for weddings. It overlooks the river, the generating plant and the top of the falls.

The walk to the observation decks is easy with only a couple of places with widely spaced steps. There were quite a few people enjoying the sights, but we felt comfortable and not crowded. The layout was very nice, and all of the paved paths and safety fencing was kept in excellent condition. It is easy to see why Snoqualmie Falls is one of Washington state’s most popular scenic attractions.

A 1909 four-span stone arch bridge

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Ripley County in southern Indiana is a scenic land of rolling hills, wooded tracts interspersed with farming enterprises. Amongst the unique sites include a wonderful stone arch bridge just outside the tiny village of Friendship. This bridge was constructed in 1909 on the Olean Road where the road crosses Raccoon Creek.

From a distance

The approach to the bridge

Nearly perfect stonework

Side view of the stone work arches

The stonework on the four arches is really a stone mason’s dream. This bridge has spans over 20 feet. The deck is nearly 15 feet wide over the 103 foot length. Stone arch bridges were a very common design for many rural stream and river crossings. There are eleven still standing in Ripley County alone, according to records.

Raccoon Creek is typical of southern Indiana hill country drainage streams. Usually running, it can go dry in droughts. The bubbling sound of the passing of the water adds to the serenity of this environment.

Texas Hill Country Olive Company

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We had just finished checking out the town of Dripping Springs in the Hill Country outside of Austin and were waiting for a restaurant to open. I spotted a sign for an olive company the opposite direction from the eatery, so off we went.

Striking architecture of the Olive Company

About five miles later we saw what looked like some kind of Italian mountain villa. Yep, that turned out to be the Texas Hill Country  Olive Company. We had no idea what to expect, except that it would involve olives. Well, what a nice surprise when the hostess showed us to the free tasting stations. Yes, we were invited to taste different olive oils. I sure got an education.

Olive oils on the left, balsamic vinegars on the right

Fun signage

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had no idea that there were so many different kinds of olive oils, all of which were made by this family owned and operated business. Sher and I both enjoyed tasting the different olive oils. You taste them by putting a few drops in a small cup and either tasting it directly by mouth or dipped on a small piece of bread.

In the showroom in front of one of the tasting stations.

In addition to the oils, there were several varieties of balsamic vinegar as well set out for tasting. These were all imported from Italy, and there was an amazing range of flavors. The balsamic vinegar we bought was a blackberry flavor, which will be perfect to mix with the olive oil we bought to make a great salad dressing. Yum! The showroom also has a wide variety of gift boxes and other goodies.

Olive trees at the Olive Company

Olive tree beginning to flower

 

 

 

 

 

This place should be on everyone’s list of must visit places in the Hill Country. The site has lots of olive trees in their on site orchard. Our hostess explained that the company also has many more orchards in south Texas as well. Yes, olive trees grow in places other than Southern Europe and the Mid East. You can experience them at the Texas Hill Country Olive Co..

King Neptune statue on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk

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September of 2005 saw the grand unveiling of an awesome sight on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. Where 31st Street intersects Atlantic Avenue, a 34′ tall bronze statue of the famous King Neptune gazes over the city as he emerges from the depths of the sea. Well, OK, he maybe isn’t coming out of the sea but he is sure impressive!

Compare Neptune’s size to the bike rider!

The artwork is the masterpiece of artist Paul DiPasquale’ a well known sculptor from Richmond, Virginia. Neptune grips his trident in his right hand while he “palms” a huge sea turtle in his left hand. He is surrounded by many other seas creatures, including dolphins and a massive octopus. The details in both Neptune and the sea creatures are breathtaking. This statue is adjacent to Neptune’s Park, site of many events held on the beach during both the summer season and the off season as well.

Neptune and his turtle

The octopus on the statue base

A trip to meet King Neptune is a must when you visit Virginia Beach, Virginia. You will be impressed! And be sure to check the calendar of events for Neptune’s Park to plan on attending whatever event is planned for the time of your visit.

Our welcome committee to Yellowstone National Park

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Our first cross county RV trip from Indiana to Seattle was a thrilling journey through totally new to us parts of the country. As we planned our route we  decided we wanted to go through Yellowstone National Park. From Cody Wyoming we drove to the East Entrance of the park. There a friendly and helpful Park Ranger gave us a map, a couple of tips and sold us our America the Beautiful Senior Pass.

He was huge! That is Lake Yellowstone in the background.

We had not been in the park very long until we saw Lake Yellowstone off to our left. Up ahead we saw brake lights and several cars stopped. I thought it must be an accident. Then we saw calmly strolling down the middle of the road the cause of the traffic jam. Coming down the road towards us was a huge bison just like he owned the road. Well, yes he did own the road! We’ll never forget the bison who welcomed us to Yellowstone!

Devils Tower: the first U.S. National Monument

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Northeast Wyoming is home to one of the most remarkable landscape features in the United States. The towering mass of volcanic rock known as Devils Tower has long been the destination of curious travelers and is the source of several Native American legends describing the origin of the rock formation. In the fall of 2014 we were on our way from Indiana to Seattle and decided to make a short detour to see this striking and beautiful gift from Earth.

One of, if not the most striking geologic feature in Wyoming

Detail image of each “column” that is about 8 feet across!

One of the legends of the origin of the tower tells the story of girls who were pursued by a huge bear. The girls prayers were answered when the Great Spirit caused the rock to raise from the ground with the girls safely on top. The bear attempted to climb the smooth sides of the rock, and his claws made the distinctive shapes we see today.

Geologists tell us that the tower was made when volcanic intrusions of lava pushed up into thick layers of sandstone, now eroded away after millions of years. The rock, an igneous basalt type, took on the shapes of columns when it cooled. Called a columnar formation, this shape is not uncommon and can be found in rocks all over the world.

The Devils Tower was the first designated US National Monument, so declared by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1906. The first Caucasians saw the tower in the 1850’s. It was also the site of the famous ending of the 1977 film Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Growth of our Black Cherry Tree

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Taken on June 20, 2020

Taken on June 25, 2021

Taken June 3, 2026

This Black Cherry was one we received from the Indiana DNR. The first picture was taken on June 20, 2020 shortly after being planted. The sapling was then in a cage for protection, and the top visible rung on the cage is less than 2 feet high.  The second picture was taken on June 25, 2021. The tree was a little over 6 feet tall. The third was taken June 3, 2026 this year.

Black Cherry trees normally take 8 to 10 years of growth before they produce cherries. We’ll report back to you in June, 2030 hopefully with a picture of a basket full of black cherries.

Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary from the Indiana Audubon Society

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The Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary is located south of Connersville in Fayette County, Indiana.  Alice Green Gray gave the initial 264 acre property to the Indiana Audubon Society in 1943 as a living memorial to her daughter Mary, who preceded her in death. Another Gray relative and Society members have made possible the acquisition of more property so that the Sanctuary now has 723 acres.

Clearly marked entrance

Storage building appropriately decorated

Page from MGBS brochure

 

 

 

 

 

The entrance to the sanctuary is well marked with a dramatic and large stone sign. Once you are in the initial parking area, you realize that you are in a delightful part of Nature’s birding paradise. This is an off the beaten path sanctuary worthy of your exploration. Take you camera and binoculars.

There are many features within this sanctuary. There is a bird watching blind where you can observe the many stocked feeders and not be seen. Ponds and native trees provide a perfect chance to immerse yourself in communing with Earth and the natural history of Indiana. Interesting programs and meetings take place at the amphitheater. Self-guided hiking tours covering many topics are an extra bonus to visitors of the MGBS. Click here for the MGBS website.

 

Huge old driftwood logs in Olympic National Park

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Washington State Olympic National Park is on the Pacific coast in the north part of the state.  This national park has stunning scenery and beautiful coastlines. Dramatic “sea stacks”, rocks remaining after ocean weathering, are visible from the shore. Highway 101 follows this coast and near the north end of the park it runs next to Ruby Beach.

On the shore line

Islands in the background

 

 

 

 

 

Ruby Beach is one of a few Olympic National Park beaches that have massive amounts of driftwood stacked randomly by the tides on the shore. Tidal currents have for centuries been responsible for the migration up and down the coastline  of these driftwood logs. Many of these weather worn logs have no doubt been on different parts of the beach over the decades.

Huge driftwood log, Sea Stacks in background

Old driftwood logs, shore in background

 

 

 

 

 

The Olympic National Park covers nearly a million acres. It protects a vast wilderness, thousands of years of human history, and several distinctly different ecosystems. Ruby Beach and other ocean views from Highway 101 show just a fraction of the park’s acreage. The Olympic Peninsula is a remarkable part of our United States. Visit there someday, you will not  be disappointed.

 

Quinault National Recreation Trail System

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Traveling in the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State provides an awesome chance to view up close and personal the famed scenery of the Pacific Northwest. The huge Olympic National Forest is home to millions of acres of Natures’ wonders.

Trail map

Typical vegetation of the rain forest

The Quinault National Recreation Trail System on the shore of Lake Quinault is an opportunity to easily explore the magnificent rain forests. We stopped at one of the parking lots for the trail, and were easily able to walk several hundred yards into the forest on a well defined and clear trail.

Nature’s delicate beauty

Easy walking trail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Massive tree base

Being in the actual rain forest was an eye opening adventure that brought us close to, and for a short time, part of this slice of the Pacific Northwest. The plants covering the forest floor were a deep green and covered in delicate leaves. Moss covered previously fallen branches added to the degree of total vegetation that filled the scene. This was a chance to really engage with the rain forest.