Month: July 2013

Southwest Washington

~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

Our second week on the Portland area was primarily spent north of the Columbia River in Washington State.  Battle Ground, Vancouver, and a trip to Mount St Helen’s.  Although it was hot and dry most of the time, it was a relief after spending months in the Southwest on archaeological excavations.

DSC_0840These photos are not the best, but do capture some of the beauty of the area around Mount St Helen’s.

DSC_0839The dirty snow on the mountain in the distance.

DSC_0842It was a hot and windy day for the ridge-line trail but still a great little trek.

DSC_0844The mountain, as seen from the northwest.  The enormous crater is from the most recent eruption.

DSC_0850Wildflowers are reclaiming the ashy landscape.

DSC_0861A new lake was formed from the eruption.  A beautiful place to spend an afternoon.

DSC_0855Geology, geomorphology, and biological reclamation in action everywhere you look.

Touring the Oregon Coast

~ George Crawford ~ 4 Comments

It was great to escape the heat, dust, and chaos that is my normal life these days.  Oregon was everything I hoped for and more.  The Pacific air brought back many good memories and made me yearn again to live near this amazing coast.

102_0305The weather was perfect, the water was cold, and the seafood abundant.

102_0311My blood is too thick for the southern plains and this trip was an excellent respite from the drying winds of the Llano Estacado.

102_0331We spent three days just walking on the beaches and retreating to the woods to camp with little concern for the outside world.  The rest of the time we ventured around northwest Oregon and southwest Washington and just generally loafing about.

102_0348Debris from Japan was apparent on the shore and hinted at a tragic but interesting story.

102_0355It was great to travel with friends who know the region and could steer us in the right direction to get the most out of our short visit.

102_0364

102_0369Twenty years ago I was certain that I would spend my life in the Pacific Northwest.  Events transpired, or failed to, to allow this to happen and I have been drifting in the west for a long time now.  Every time I see and smell the Pacific, I’m ready to settle down and grow some moss.

102_0377It is certainly a rugged beauty but in a bountiful land.

102_0378I will definitely be back.  Hopefully without too much delay.

Tavern Interior by John S.C. Schaak 1762

~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

Jon Townsend's avatarSifting The Past

Tavern Interior_John-S-C-Schaak_1762John S.C. Schaak  active 1760-1770

Video walkthrough:

Detail: tavern, chair, table, basket, food, sideboard, meat, pie, plate, knife, fork, fire, hearth, fireplace crane, cucumber, lemon sausage, meat hook, beef, bird, bird cage, bottle, glass, bread, mortar and pestle, chocolate pot, spit turner, soldier, cooking pot, tongs, serving boy, raised cooking surface, fry pan, jug, game birds, rabbit

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