Old and New

Part of what makes these old cars fun is that the owners have decided to paint them a color they would never have been when new. Pre 1960 or so, cars were largely black or a dark color (dark green, brown, or possible blue). Of course, there were a few cars that had some color, but never candy apple red.

Annual Car Show in Snohomish

In late September every year, Snohomish has a car show. 1st street is blocked off and people bring their restored cars from all around the area to put them on display and, hopefully, win recognition in their corner of car/truck style/age.

An Old Barn

In the soft embrace of a luscious field of wheat, stands a delapidaged barn. Standing as a marker of times, people, and things long past. 

Yet, There is Lots of Life Here

Even though there are plenty of dead people in the local cemeteries, life abounds here. We were surprised to see an immature pheasant walking along the roadside.

Another Glimpse of the time Washington was Becoming a State

it is always the case that those who dies on the frontier include children. this child, perhaps, died of an illness we routinely treat today. Or maybe it was a snake or the kick of a horse. Life was hard.

Storage

Storage comes in many forms out in this vast farmland. Here we see a barn with 12 sides and (apparently) 36 windows. Not sure who would work so hard as to put that many windows in a barn, but here we are.

Technology on the Landscape

In addition to the endless plane and textured hills, we do find a bit of technology standing tall. There is a  wind farm sharing space with the wheat farm.

In Some Directions, the Houses are Few

When looking out from the hill we are on, there are some directions where it is really difficult to find a house. There are one or two, and a few places with trees that might hold some more, but it really seems to be just endless fields or wheat and legumes.

An Expansive Place of Endless Work

We start today with a comparison. Above is a view rendered in B&W.

The Rolling Hills

 

The combination of the green/yellow and the brown/yellow colors make these fields endlessly interesting.

Colors and Textures

While I am quite sure that the spring time with green fields and blossoming flowers has a totally different appeal, in the August harvest time, this is a place dominated by color and texture.

Life on the Plains

The areas not planted in wheat are small and reserved for homes an equipment storage. The trees huddled around the houses remained us that the winter here can be harsh and any shielding from the wind and snow is a big help.

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).

More Creek Scenes

On a warm day this looks quite inviting. However, let me warn you. A dip here is not for the feint of heart. This is very cold mountain water flowing here.