American Adventure

Oregon (Crescent Mt 2)

Further up the trail I find myself surrounded by enormous trees. Looking up I get the vertigo feeling as a vapor trail moves along by the upper winds giving the eerie feeling that the forest is moving. I move on further where I find an area of trees covered in moss. Its a good thing that I knew where I was because the moss grows on all sides of the trees. Of course I never have adhered to that theory that moss only grows on the north side of the tree. I think that all depends on the location and climate. In the northern hemisphere moss may often grow on the north side due to the fact that the sun would be shining upon the south side's of the trees, leaving the north side remaining cool and moist more often.

I finally got out of the woods and to a small clearing on the side of the hill where I could see forever it seemed.

I got this neat close up of a bull thistle and suddenly noticed that it had something moving on it. Looking closer I got the next shot of some ants devouring hundreds of aphids on the stem of the thistle.

More clearings up the hill expose the vast scenery around the area. In the distance I could clearly see the Three Sisters mountain peaks and Mt. Washington as well.

At the top of the mountain I could see all of the peaks along the Cascade range. With Mt. Jefferson being the most spectacular peak from this view, I took lots of pictures of it.

Then I panned around to get more shots of the surrounding area. This next few is looking to the northwest a littel and then to the north. Way off in the distance you could see Mt. Hood.

Mt. Hood is actually just east of Portland, approximately 100 miles to the north.

Another, close up, view of Mt. Jefferson and then a close shot of Three Finger Jack.

Beyond the range you see Black Butte, another popular hike. Then there's Mt. Washington again and the Three Sisters.

Looking to the south, way off there's stands another peak. I'm not sure exactly which mountain that was but it was visible from where I was. By the distance, and comparing to Mt. Hood, I would have to estimate it to have been about 150 miles away. The theory of it actually being Mt. Shasta, in northern California, would be pretty slim.

More pictures of Mt. Jefferson with some different angles and a few different trees. Some people have emailed me and emphasized their adoration of dead trees so I do get an occasional shot of them here and there.

Three Sisters again and another shot looking off to the west.

I don't really enjoy taking pictures of myself and many people have accused me of being vain and having a large ego. I am not going to deny being either, but my vanity or ego has nothing to do with the amount of pictures I take of myself. I do get very many people asking to send a picture of me in some of these places so I am compelled by their requests to do so. I do often so indulge their requests and feel honored.