Freedom is not Free

Thank you to the men and women who bravely serve our country.  I'm also thankful for those who have given their lives sacrificially for the freedom that we enjoy.

Smith Lake

Early Friday evening I rode my motorcycle to our place at the coast to do some much needed work. There was a steady rain the whole way through the coast range. By the time I got near the house there was only a slight drizzle which gave a nice serene mood to Smith Lake.

The white plant in the foreground is a weed, which explains why they're growing abundantly beside the road. It's one of the better looking weeds I've seen though.

Old Car & Truck Faces

When  I was growing up and my parents and I would take a trip, I use to identify cars and trucks as they were traveling towards us on the highway. They were amazed how I could do it at such a young age.  To me the grilles on the cars and trucks made faces and that's the way I would know what they were.  Some had a grin, some didn't. And some had teeth showing like this truck.  I stopped seeing these faces long ago so I don't think it did long term damage.

Flower Power Truck

Yesterday I rode about 60 miles north into Washington to work.  On my way home I crossed over the Columbia River and rode back through Oregon.  A little north of Portland I crossed over onto Sauvie Island which I haven't visited in many years.  Outside one of the farms I found this unique "Flower Truck."  It makes a nice springtime display!

Rainy Day Succulent

Yesterday it rained most of the day.  Rain has a way of making the colors in the plant-life pop.  While taking some shots of the obvious plants like the rhododendrons I noticed this small ground cover succulent.  It's Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum x Roseum).  The only reason I know that is I looked it up.  It's kind of fascinating the way just the tips are deep red.

Stopping by a Foggy Pond... to Ponder

Morning Solar Power

(Near San Jose, Mexico)

Pine Wood Marvel

Our oldest daughter and our daughter-in-law went on a company paid trip to Lake Tahoe for the weekend. They brought some of these big pine cones home as souvenirs since they're readily available on the ground. We don't know the variety of these heavyweights but they sure are interesting.  And they sure are sticky.

Morning Low Tide

(Garibaldi Pier - Tillamook Bay, OR)

Unexpected Downpour

(San Juan, PR)

But then most downpours are unexpected!

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Check out other Monochrome Weekend images.

Ashland Springs Hotel

The last couple of days I've been working in Southern Oregon.  About 25 miles from the California border is Ashland, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.  The Ashland Springs Hotel was built in 1925 and restored to its original grandeur in 1998. It makes a great base for exploring such popular sites as Crater Lake.

Concrete & Rubber

I'm pretty sure I've stated previously that parking garages offer unique lighting opportunities and textures.  Because they're so public, the challenge is taking images without appearing slightly strange to others.  So far I've failed at that but I've met interesting people as a result.

"Blessed is the nation..."

(Depoe Bay, OR)

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.  The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; from His dwelling place He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works." (Psalm 33:12-15)

Please pray for the leaders of our nations.  Pray that we would turn back to God.

Where's the Spark?

The desktop image is not mine. I just thought it made an interesting image.  Yolanda at Giving it a Shot has admitted to a lack of creative energy lately.  I have to confess that I think I'm going through the same thing.  I guess during these times we have to just hang in there and know that it will come back in due time.

Southern Oregon Covered Bridge

(Grave Creek Covered Bridge - Josephine County, OR)

Windows of Hope

I'm thankful for windows. Without windows life would be restricted and confined. It's hard to imagine life without windows. They have a way of giving us hope. But there is only One who can truly give us hope and it's everlasting hope.

Old Assembly Line

A few weeks ago I spotted these cars as I was leaving the parking lot of one of my customers. I've never noticed them before. The fact that they all look similar caught my attention.

They Don't Make Them Like This Anymore

Last Friday afternoon I noticed this T-Bird as I approached the Cruise In Country Diner.  The new owners opened about a year ago after a re-modeled with a classic 50's & 60's theme. 

Check out other Monochrome Weekend images!

Patiently Waiting

I went to the University of Portland yesterday afternoon. While I was rolling out of the parking lot I noticed this dainty motorcycle parked by itself waiting patiently for its owner. This scene put an emphasis on the fact that school is out and the campus is pretty quiet. It seems like time slows down when things are less hectic.

Oregon Sunset

(Rockaway Beach, OR)

Don't Worry Le Happy

Once a week I pass near this Northwest Portland restaurant.  We haven't eaten here yet but yesterday afternoon I finally stopped to take a photo of the unusual name and building.  Sometimes these small and discrete restaurants are the best finds.  According to the reviews, the food is very good.  If you so desire, you can check it out here.

Where's That Clam?

Another image of the clam diggers on the coast.  All under the watchful eye of a seagull.

Mother & Daughter

(Our oldest daughter & our granddaughter)

Happy Mother's Day!

Amazing Design

When I see things like this I know there's a Designer. It's too complicated to happen by accident.

Check out other Monochrome Weekend images!

First Date Flashback

I had one of these when my wife and I were dating and first married.  Mine wasn't rusty and it was a convertible.  The first time she got in it on our first date she asked if it was a Karmann Ghia.  That wasn't a cool thing to ask a Porsche owner, but I forgave her. We still laugh about that car mix up.

While riding home on my motorcycle yesterday afternoon I stopped by the road to take some photos of this landmark.  The car marks the entrance to the property of a guy and his son who restore old Porches. There isn't a sign for the business so the car looks out of place near the road. Too bad it has to rust away.

Windshield Art

Yesterday afternoon I hesitated before getting out of my car in a parking lot during a combination of heavy rain and hail. Then the thought came to me that maybe I could catch an interesting shot of the hail bouncing off of the hood. By the time I got the camera ready the hail stopped but I took a picture anyway. The cold rain-hail combination made an unusual coating on the windshield which gave the lines on the truck and building a twisted look. I think there might be a filter in Photoshop that also does this.

Mud Puddle Reflection

I wonder if carrying a camera makes us more aware of our surroundings.  Some would look at this and only see a mud puddle while others would see the reflection. Puddles can evoke various reactions from people. Kids might ride their bike through it while adults would probably avoid it.  To some they're a natural playground and to others they're a nuisance.  One thing I do know, this time of year I get a little tired of their main ingredient... rain.

Coastal Flora & Woolly Things

After a little morning sprinkle.  Discovered while on a walk with our granddaughter.

And this little guy was crossing the road. 

 

It was a challenge to lie down in the road to get a close shot while holding off our 140 lb curious dog, Zoey.

Clamming on the Oregon Coast

We went to the coast for the weekend. On the way into town Saturday morning I stopped by the pier to take some photos and found some people clamming.

 

Low tide makes sandbars in the bay.

Here's a guy with his limit of Cockle Shells.  A little flour and egg and they'll have fried clams for lunch!

A Day at the Office for Tillamook's Finest

A typical afternoon in Tillamook, OR

Country Road

The opposite of intense traffic.