Nothing like a visit to the most beautiful part of the United States, the northwest, to improve one’s state of mind. IRC friends from New Jersey, Utah and Oregon met for several days of beachcoming, crater viewing and get-together fun. I’d love to go back and relive those days, not only for the beauty and fun of it all, but because one of us has gone to the great divide and others are no longer together. But for all the sadness, the memories are priceless and forever.
Link back to Weekly Photo Challenge: State of Mind
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Over 40 years had past since the last time I had visited Crater Lake National Park. No hand-feeding of chipmunks on this trip, but plenty of hand-rubbing, as it was plenty cold. Still, the drive was beautiful and the lake was stunning.

Contemplation was the order of business during this post-sunset scenario at a place I can’t even remember where. It was still cold.

And this was the sunset that greeted us at this unknown place.

A brief stopover at Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park resulted in plenty of greenery. There were some mighty tall timber that day on our way to the Pacific Ocean.

I was trying to get a shot of the waves breaking over this rock aways off shore when this darn flock of birds got in the way and ruined the whole thing. You can imagine how upset I was. The funny and sad part about it—I was. LOL Now I look at it and think to myself—wow! How cool.

The western United States has its own version of the Twin Towers in the twin volcanoes of Mt. Shasta, northern California. Fortunately, these twin towers are still there. I’d hate to think what would result if these two blew their tops.

This photograph didn’t appear in the local newspaper, but one like it did, along with an article talking about our IRC get-together. What a time it was. It will always be remembered. I actually like this one better.
LOL on your bird photo Cris – especially love that you admitted it!! Great shots of a beautiful part of the country.
Thank you, Tina. It was a beautiful time. Unfortunately, one of us has passed on, but at least I was able to enjoy time spent with her. Yeah, it’s funny how things work out, in reference to the bird photo. I look at it now and consider how fortunate I was to have that “interference”. Have a gread day and thanks for stopping by.
Terrific photos. That’s a great part of the country. Love the photos of the birds over the rock…yup, the birds MAKE the photo. Beautiful twin volcanoes.
Thank you. It was a beautiful time and one that I’d love to duplicate but have since moved 1,000+ miles farther away. 😦
Very beautiful photos Cris 🙂
Hey, thanks. I appreciate that. It was a beautiful time and experience.
Wow…amazing pictures here…:-)
Thank you. [blush] I appreciate that. 🙂