Golden sunflowers as far as the eye can see
Photo: Chronica Domus
Can you guess where I've been over the past week from the photographs above and below? Provence in southeastern France, you say?
An army of sunflowers stand to attention against the azure skies
Photo: Chronica Domus
How about the following photograph, where in the world was this one taken? The Swiss Alps perhaps?
Snow in summer, where can I be?
Photo: Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus
And this misty coastal scene, could it be the rugged Irish or Scottish coastline?
Mist enrobes the jagged rocks along the coastline, but where?
Photo: Chronica Domus
If ever there was a journey of contrasts, this was it. I have spent an absolutely terrific week on the road with my family witnessing the spectacular diversity of landscape through central California and up into the majesty that is the northwestern United States.
While passports awaited renewing and the summer months slipped away before our eyes, the decision to head north on an adventure was hatched with little notice and great enthusiasm. Our journey had us traversing two-thousand miles through three states, meandering high and low, and experiencing temperatures ranging from the mid 50s to the low 100s within a few short hours of a single afternoon. We visited both small towns and large cities, slept in quaint bed and breakfast establishments and even a renovated grand dame hotel. From the lushest emerald green forests of Oregon and snow capped peaks of Washington, to the golden brown parched hillsides of central California, and the rugged coastline where land spills into the Pacific ocean, we saw it all; all of it gloriously juxtaposed to whatever came before it on our journey.
Over the next several posts I plan on sharing a little more from our roadside adventures and hope you will ride along for the trip. Oh, and just in case you were still wondering where these photographs were taken, I snapped the sunflowers from the edge of farmland just north of Woodland, California, the snowy peak is Mount Rainier, an active volcano in Washington state, and the final photograph is a view of the atmospheric Oregon Pacific coastline. All of it magical, all of it singularly stunning.
I love the final picture of the coast with the sea mist - very atmospheric. Looks like you and your family had a great time. I look forward to you sharing more pics soon. David.
ReplyDeleteHello David, it was difficult for me to pick a favorite view of the entire trip as it was all so varied. I always love the beach though, usually the hotter ones.
DeleteThat area of the country is so magical!
ReplyDeleteHello AD, geographically America holds such vast contrasts it is almost mind boggling at times. Volcanoes, beaches, mountains, vast forests, dry deserts, I could go on and on. A truly amazing country.
DeleteYour photos came out perfect, each one embodying the spirit of its location, emphasizing grandeur and expansiveness. The amazing thing about California is that these photos barely scratch the surface of the variety available.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Oh, how right you are Jim. You could spend an entire year traveling up and down the state, and for that matter the entire west coast of America, yet still not have viewed all the natural wonders on offer.
DeleteOh those pics are gorgeous and I actually was thinking of those suggested locations. I have to shamefully admit to never having been to our majestic American Northwest.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to more details!
Thank you, GSL. Absolutely no shame at all that you've yet to visit the majestic northwest. Perhaps my photos will have inspired a future trip. I was very surprised at the weather, expecting it to be as cool as San Francisco during July. Turns out it was far hotter, phew!
DeleteWe are babysitting our granddaughter as our son and daughter travel the northwest from Vancouver to Portland. Its such a beautiful area, especially this time of year. Can't wait to see your images.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Hello Karen, we had considered going into Canadian Vancouver (not Washington) but,alas, passports had expired and we await our renewed ones. I'm sure your grand daughter will have a wonderful time on her travels, especially Portland, a new city to me and one I adored.
Deletehello,
ReplyDeleteSerendipity is a wonderful thing!
Sometimes one can make elaborate plans and, yet, the outcomes can be disappointing. Whereas,, just taking off on the spur of the moment can lead to all manner of excitements. Your road trip sounds to have been just that.
And, although one's mind is often straying to other countries for holiday adventures, one's native land can offer so much more....no passport required. Your photographs capture the vast open spaces and very varied environments offered 'just down the road'. How perfect is that! Indeed, we almost thought that the sunflower fields were in Hungary since that is exactly what one sees at this time of year, fields stretching to infinity with the large yellow heads, facing the sunshine and bobbing in the breeze.
And, what fascinating people you must have encountered on your trip too. We can hardly wait to hear all your tales. We have yet to visit the USA and this is certainly making us wish to get there soon.
Hello Jane and Lance,
DeleteHow interesting to read that the sunflower field could have also been a countryside scene straight from the fields of Hungary. I often find myself remarking on how similar pockets of California look to areas of Europe as though in a deja vu moment.
The USA is begging for your arrival and I do hope you are busy plotting your visit soon Jane and Lance.
What beautiful pictures! You have quite a talent. And I agree with your enthusiasm for impromptu vacations-they are often the best kind.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to the West Coast. I would love to see the ocean from the opposite direction
Hello Bebe,
DeleteThank you for the high praise on the photographs that accompany this short post. I hope you get the opportunity to look at the subsequent posts in this series to see what else I got up to on my rather loosely and spontaneously planned trip.
There is great diversity in landscape and cultural experiences up and down the west coast that you will surely discover for yourself whenever you get the chance to visit.
Well, I wasn't far off in my own suggestion of the Alpine qualities of Mount Rainier...made before I read yours here.
ReplyDeleteI see you are catching up on you reading in reverse chronological order.
DeleteThroughout the entire week's journey, I felt as though déjà vu was setting in. Everything looked so familiar, but not.