We headed out from Prosser with more sunshine and warmer temps than we have had for a long time. Across 82 to 84 - the grapes and horses gave way to plains and hills and vistas. The starkness of this land is almost hard to absorb. It is both empty and full. Harsh and soft. The golden hills with charcoal and green rocks that form short ledges jutting out like chins as if to say we have been here long before you and we will be here long after you are gone. Even in the truck it seems quiet. When you stop - if not for the sound of the wind it would be quiet. Not silent, just smooth. The short stout grass blows as if in a stiff salute to the forces of nature around it. The sage brush scents the air with an aroma not even close to that found in a bottle. While it is not someplace I would want to live, I see much to explore and capture in photos.
This vista shot was just East of Prosser.
Oregon has a law. It is that you cannot pump your own gas. This was something we didn't know. Supposedly it is because of jobs. It keeps more people employed. Felt strange to let someone else do it but they are adamant about it.
We traveled through Washington and into NE Oregon and saw the changes from those around Seattle. Here there are glades and valleys of grass in between the trees. Great open spaces surrounded by pines. I looked for a great bear to walk out and stare at me. But, we have not seen many animals this trip. A pheasant almost crash landed into our windshield but I don't really think that counts.
As we were coming down out of the mountains we came around the curve and this stunning site greeted us. I think these are flax (suggested by Vicki) very sweet smelling and filled with bees doing their level best to gather pollen. From this location you looked west into these craggy peaks and turned to the East and had smooth hills covered with wind turbines.
I napped after lunch and awoke to what looked like the same place. Who knew there were this many thousands of acres of grassland? Then we turned off and headed to Craters of the Moon. At first glance it looks like millions of oreo cookies all crumbled up and laying on the ground. Then you get out and look at it - you can't look away. It is seeing something 2000 years old in detail. The rock on top that looks like a pebble is melted into and stuck to the one below it. And over the years bits of moisture and dirt have settled in and plants have grown. But, it is a barren wasteland in so many ways. The color just looks DARK like the most fertile earth on the planet until you realize it is lava/stone. It has oozed up out of the earth and spewed down on it's self.
We arrived at Bill & Vickie's about 9pm and after a great home cooked dinner crashed! Headed out today to Warm River - the HUGE trout sat there looking like you could reach down and grab them.
This was our view of the Grand Tetons from the west - did you know that Tetons translates as "breast"?
Then off to Mesa Falls. in the Targhee National Forest - the upper falls. This is just a gorgeous place!
Original early 1900's cabin restored - gorgeous inside and out and fun to see all the exhibits.
This is a a stunning view!
Ric caught these on the porch of the cabin. The trilling sound could be heard even above the falls for many feet away.
Shadow and Baetis giving Ric some help on the sofa. They said he was moving his lips when he read!
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