This is one of those entries that doesn’t require many words - pictures will do far more justice than anything I could say. Plus, I’m exhausted from this trip and my brain isn’t functioning in a creative writing sense, not that it does often anyway.

That prefix to this aside, I can give a little backstory to this trip…

I had some very good news on Monday the 10th and thought I’d treat myself to a quick trip somewhere - it’s been quite some time since I’ve gone on a trip with no intention other than taking photos, so this felt like the perfect opportunity.

Thursday forecasted for big waves and massive swells along the Oregon and Washington coast's. Randy (http://www.randybottphotography.com/) and I opted to meet up in the morning at Cape Disappointment in Washington to grab some photos of what was likely going to be a rather epic show. 

Upon arriving, I noticed the gate to the beach was closed and that there was a sign up outside of the ranger's office stating, "dangerous waves today". I parked, walked in to get a Discovery Pass (Washington parks pass) and talked to the lady working inside. She said this was the worst storm they had seen in a long time and that the waves were even carrying driftwood over the road... That's pretty intense as I have been here before during high surf, but nothing like this. 

I had spent some time hanging out with a friend in Yakima this past weekend. I woke up early on Monday morning to get on the road early enough to catch the sunrise somewhere along the way - I didn't really have a place in mind, just figured I would stop once I found a location. As I headed north on Interstate 82, I could see both Mt Rainier and Mt Adams as I climbed out of the Yakima valley - my first stop was at the rest area as it has a nice view of both mountains. I noticed the moon up overhead of Rainier and thought I would wait and try to catch the moon setting over the summit... Well, that didn't happen. The moon was taking entirely too long and the sunrise was washing out the details of the moon; plus, the colors just weren't happening over either of the peaks.

Hello and good day!

I am going to talk about our Photo Friday, Episode 5. In this week's episode, Randy (http://www.randybottphotography.com/) and I head up Snoqualmie Pass to Franklin Falls - we discuss circular polarizers, a definite must for any landscape photographer. Along with that, it's the usual shenanigans of fun and adventure and the art of exploration to find new locations to shoot.

Fall is one of the best times of the year. The changing of color, the cooler air, the smell of a wood burning stove as you drive along through the countryside - all senses come alive. 

I love fall. I find that I spend a lot of time exploring as much as I can in a short window as the season only lasts so long. Other seasons last for months - you won't really miss much if you put it off for a weekend or even a few weeks. It's not like that during the fall - the colors start to change in waves and just one storm could send all of those leaves falling to the ground. If you miss it, well you'll have to wait an entire year to enjoy it again.

Yesterday I was invited on a hike up to Sauk Mountain in the North Cascades.  I had heard of this hike earlier in the year via a friend's Facebook page - the views looked stunning and I knew I wanted to go, I just didn't know if or when it would happen.  After being invited, I looked it up and realized that was the hike I wanted to do!  Naturally I agreed to join; beautiful views, fresh (smokey) air, some exercise - why not go?