Sunday, May 20, 2012

Going through some old photos ...

Boardwalk - Lake Coeur d'Alene
This photo, all shades of blues and browns, was taken on an April day in 2009 when Jodie and I decided to take a walk on the boardwalk at the Coeur d'Alene Resort on the shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene.

You can tell it's early spring because the boardwalk hasn't yet been cleaned up to welcome the summer tourists. Winter's murk lingers at the edges. There's still snow in those southern mountains, and the lake has the steely color of the chill melt.

It looks fairly calm here, but by the time Jodie and I rounded that far bend, the boardwalk was riding slow rolling waves as the wind nudged the lake awake.

[click photo for larger image]

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Spring Runoff at Post Falls

The Spokane River is running high right now, as the snow melts in the mountains. The floodgates at the dam are open and Post Falls is roaring through the canyon. Julie and I made our annual pilgrimage to feel the roar.

The Mighty Roar
 Post Falls are L-shaped, and dammed by the local electric company for power. It's a bit tricky to get pictures of the entire falls when standing on land.



Top of the Falls
 If you were to go over Post Falls in a barrel, this is the view you'd have right before you fell off the cliff! That barrel idea? Not recommended!



Roiling Water
 As the river tumbles over the cliff and into the rocks, it churns and crashes and growls with incredible force.



Mist Rising
When the Falls meet the bottom of the canyon, the mist rises in the wind, washing the southern wall and watering the trees on the bluff.

[click photos for larger image]


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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Night at the Needle

 We thoroughly enjoyed our evening at the Space Needle. Here's a photo Dale took of me and the downtown lights of Seattle.

Overlooking the Seattle Skyline

And another of the Space Needle, lit up from below. There's no retouching on this photo ... straight from the camera.

Reaching for the Stars

 
[click photos for larger image]

Monday, May 14, 2012

Seattle Vacation

Last week Dale and I were on a vacation. We spent some time in Seattle, hanging out with Dale's brother and nephew, the Washington state governor, a senator, a congressman, Dave Matthews, and the leader of the free world!

So, OK. We didn't get to rub elbows or shake hands with the political elite. We were in the nosebleed seats. But we still had a great time at the political rally. Dale and his brother hooted until they became hoarse. We're now starting to gear up for the Fall elections.

It was also fun to spend some time playing tourist at Seattle's hot spots. This was the view from our hotel room.


Space Needle
We went up to the observation deck of the Space Needle late in the day. We watched the sun set over Elliot Bay to the west, and Seattle light up in every other direction. The weather was glorious during our stay and the view was spectacular!

[click photo for larger image]

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Standing Alone

In a bouquet of a dozen and a half tulips
dressed in yellow and orange
stands one adorned in purple
Lone Beauty
stunning in the evening light.

[click photo for larger image]

Friday, May 4, 2012

Lake Critter

Walking along "The World's Longest Floating Boardwalk" 
on Lake Coeur d'Alene, I spied a ...
Bug on the Boardwalk

[click photo for larger image]

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Aging

Now and again I go to the beach
where Lake Coeur d'Alene dumps
into the Spokane River

Knot at the Beach

to sit at a weathered picnic table
and ponder
the big picture and 
small details

[click photo for larger image]


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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Tender Mushrooms

Sometimes it's good to get down in the grass
on my belly.

Striped Heads, Freckled Bodies
I never know what details I'll find.

[click photo for larger image]