Steptoe Butte State Park

One of the highlights of this trip was our visit to Steptoe Butte State Park. Apparently for no reason, a mountain rises out of the vase plain of rolling hills and provides a grand view of the region.Even though there are fires in the general area, the smoke is not too bad and we can see a fair amount.

Lots of Old

These old buildings are a treat for photographers. There is plenty of angles to view, and shapes and textures to explore.

Views of the Old and New

There is a lot that is old in the Palouse and plenty that is new. This old barn is filled with new art, new crafts, and new efforts of expression by the locals.

Exploring the Palouse

so, near the river named Paqlouse, is a very small town of the same name. This las lead to the entire area being referred to as the Palouse generally. This area is known for the vast wheat and legume fields. Nearly all the the lentils in the US come from this region.

The barn in the background is now a showplace/store for regional art. So, to sort of "show off their wares", the fence outside is made from the remains of old farm equipment, mostly the wheels.

Is it clear that there are lots of wheeled contraptions that have been used up out here. Lots of fossil wheels from the last 175 years or so.

 

Palouse River and Falls

In an event some 13,000 years ago, this water fall was created on the Palouse river. the Palouse falls and river are now part of the Palouse State Falls Park and Heritage Site found in the southeastern corner of Washington.

A Little More SoDo

I frequently complain, in person if not on this blog, that getting photos in the PNW is fraught with the lack of vantage points. With very few exceptions, everything is covered with trees. Very tall trees. When there is a break in the trees that allows you see the mountains or the fields, it is either because there is an often busy road there or there are power lines. Or both.

A SoDo Photowalk

I decided to try something new. I joined a photowalk I found online that wandered a bit around the southern, more industrial section of Seattle. Since this part of town is south of the Seattle Kingdome, the sports arena for the Mariners and Seahawks, it is commonly refered to as SoDo (south of the dome).