Wordless [explored]

I'm still working through pictures from a road trip through Oregon and Washington State with Kevin Benedict back at the end of May. I had a hard time coming up with any kind of appropriate title for this photo of the Oneonta gorge near the end of the lower trail where the Oneonta creek crashes down in a dramatic set of falls. In many ways it defies description and feels like a place out of a mythological past. The Gorge is breathtaking, and we had come prepared to freeze our butts off in the glacial runoff water. However, in an unusual (nearly unheard of) turn it was nearly 100 degrees F in the area that day and so hordes of people sought out relief in the cool water. In our dry suits we felt very overdressed and a little silly.

 

I was struggling mightily that day as I woke up with a crashing migraine the likes of which I've not had in many years. Advil seemed to have little effect and I couldn't focus or find interesting compositions here, especially with so many people around. After a time, the natural beauty of it began to relax me and I shook off most of the fog. Since we had nothing better to do, we patiently outwaited the hordes to get a shot here and there. For this one I got a little lower down close to the river to get the water rushing over the rocks. Cropped it wide to try to capture some of the drama of the giant moss-covered walls a bit better.

 

As delightful as the gorge was, I feel like I need a return journey to do it better justice. Preferably at a slightly less busy time.

Done