Where the Land's Not Uniform

In a Facebook note last week I restated one reason I like the west coast so much. Of course there are many others. In particular, I was commenting on the varied geography within close proximity. In BC one can travel from Pacific Coast rain forests with damp hanging moss, over rugged peaks, to the starkness of near-desert in just a half day. On the east coast, a drive of five hours brings one mostly more of the same. When travelling there, one might only notice a variety in small rolling mountains or a slight change in vegetation.

I'm not sure if it is due to my years in the Middle East, but I do so enjoy visiting the desert. Going down over the weekend to Lynne and Joel's home near Yakima, WA rekindled my love of the dry land that's a bit eastward. Perhaps, I associate it with Las Vegas or something as well. Anyway, it's absolutely amazing what a mountain range's rain shadow can do.

I have put together a few dozen photos from Friday, Saturday, and yesterday into a little slide show. You may have seen some of them online already.


Flickr slide show of this past weekend.