First Impression: Columbia River Gorge

As you drive west on I-84 through the Columbia River Gorge, you are struck first by the volume of water coursing down the Columbia River. It's immense. Coming from Logan, you feel like "river" has been misapplied to the waters of Cache Valley--it can't possibly mean the same thing as the word describing this artery that surely fils the ocean each day.

And the River is just the beginning of the water in the Gorge. The volcanic cliffs surrounding the river are covered in wet foliage, like a wet blanket draped on the hillsides, it's contours and saturation enveloping the topography. Plus, the hills feed the river like the river feeds the ocean. There are cascades pouring off the cliffs everywhere you look, their mist feeding the flora.

This section was found on the trail to Ponytail Falls. There is so much to photograph, I can only hope for two things: skill to capture in the camera the beauty my eyes see...and enough dry cloths to keep the lens clear.

Nikon D700, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens @ 44mm, f/8.0, 1/15s, ISO 800.