Crater Lake is the most solidly blue body of water I’ve ever seen. It’s like a bowl full of sky.

These are the generators spinning up the electricity at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. I developed a love of hydroelectric dams on this trip.

The fantastic Rogue River, cutting its way through volcanic rock.

Nothing says “incredibly quaint small town” like an adorable police station.
Ashland, OR

The Lighthouse at Bandon, OR.

This was the view just 200 meters from my campsite near Humbug Mountain. I was the only one on the beach.

Our tour guide for a nature walk outside of Ashland. She reminded me of the female camp leader from the film “Addams Family Values.” At one point on our tour she saw a bee and referred to it as “a happy little pollinator.”

The people who chose not to go on the nature walk enjoyed a barn full of animal furs.

Crater Lake, as seen by a 27-year-old with her head upside down.

I read recently that the historic Benson Bridge at Multnomah Falls was damaged by a falling boulder. While the damage was small and sure to be repaired, I’m glad I saw it when I had the chance.

The view from the top of Bonneville Dam. It’s a lot smaller than the Hoover Dam in Vegas or the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington, but it wins the prize for most interesting and beautiful in appearance.

I took dozens of photos like this one while at Crater Lake. I loved the way the reflection of the lake created perfectly symmetrical patterns.

I followed a sign that pointed to a garden under a bridge in Ashland. The sign read, “This is The Path to Joy and Unity. Open your heart, and contemplate the magic that you will view.” This painting was among many mounted like frescos on the ceiling underneath the bridge.

I did a lot of solo wandering by the little lakes surrounding Mt. Bachelor. It’s all volcanic rock, which makes for some really fascinating patterns and formations.

Some sections of The Oregon Vortex were off limits, even to guided tours…

The misty Oregon coast

It never hurts to get a new perspective on things.