An Intro, a photo and a question

Hi Folks,

I just signed up and have a question, but first I'll offer an intro and photo. I've been shooting for about 16 years, but for the first 13 years it was mostly aquarium fishes for work and pleasure. For the last 3 years I've been getting more and more into landscape photography, specifically focusing on parts of a landscape and not the big vistas - usually. I live in Port Coquitlam BC and really like the wet, cool winters for streams, creeks and the associated moss and ferns, so I've really been enjoying the posts here from places like the Columbia River Gorge.

Here's one of the few big vista shots I've taken recently. It was made from a small plane flying (at about 4,500') over Golden Ears Provinical Park just east of my house.

Anyway, here's my question. My wife (also shoots) and I are trying to plan a two week road trip to the Olympic Peninsula, down the WA coast, the Columbia River Gorge, and hopefully Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainer and Mt. Baker - time permitting. We were originally thinking about the first two weeks in October, but now may have to change the timing to the last two weeks. I'd very much appreciate any thoughts on the plan with respect to timing in terms of places (will most places still be open?)to stay along the route, road closures or anything else we should know over and above the usual stuff like weather. Thanks very much.

Lee Newman

Lee,
First off, welcome to the forum and nice first post. As for whats open, everything usually stays open until November. We could get a snowstorm in the mountains during October but it usually doesn't last long. We are actully having snow in the Mts. above 4500 today and tomorrow. A rare sumertime snow advisory. We are going to have a PNWNP outing the third weekend of October. You should join in.

Hi Erik,

Thanks for the kind welcome and comment on the photo. Thanks also for the info on our trip plan. We'd be happy to join in on the PNWNP outing! Where would I find/get the details as to where and when?

Again, thanks for the welcome and the invite!

Lee

Lee,
I'm going to put up the info within the next week. Stay tuned!

Welcome! Great photo!
Hotels or camping? If hotels and $$$ is not too much of a concern, stay at Kalaloch on the WA Coast. Also would recommend Best Western Hood River in the Columbia Gorge. And may i also suggest to not forget Mt. St. Helens. It's an amazing place. The Red Lion in Kelso (east side of I-5, north end of Kelso) is a good jumping off point for trips there. I'm sure others even more familiar with the area will offer suggestions, too. Best of luck, welcome aboard and safe travels.

Hi Catherine,

Thanks for the welcome and kind comment on the photo. Thanks also for the suggestions as to where to stay. We'll be staying in hotels on this trip so your suggestion will be no doubt be very helpful. I appreciate the input very much!

Lee

Welcome Lee! Great shot!

Hey Lee, sorry for the late welcome...but WELCOME! Great first post. For my personal taste, I'd prefer about 1/3 less sky...but that's a minor nit.

Hi Eric and Rick,

Thanks for the welcome and the kind remarks on the photo. Rick, I checked to see what the photo would look like regarding your suggestion - thanks, I agree it looks better that way.

Lee

Love the photo Lee, and welcome to the forum! Hope you can join us for the October trip!

Hi Curtis,

Thanks for the kind words and welcome. Actually, we (my wife and I) are working our holiday plan around the October trip - so we hope to meet you, and the others that make it, there!

Thanks again.

Lee