Nature Eases My Pain
Elephant Rocks (10T-398766-5257288)
Our next stop was Taholah, WA. Taholah is the administrative headquarters of the Quinault Nation and where we hoped to get a permit to visit Elephant Rocks. After visiting every building on the property, we finally found someone who told us that beach permits were no longer being given out because previous permit holders had failed to respect the privilege. However, that it was still possible to go with a guide. We eventually did the next day, but the morning fog had simply become the afternoon fog, and the tide was of no help either. I set up my tripod and pointed my camera in the general direction of the rocks as I couldn't really see much. Considering the time and effort it took to be standing on that beach within that Reservation, I deserved better. Then again, as my esteemed colleague David Brandt-Erichsen used to tell me, "The best time to photograph an arch is when you are there."
Nature Eases My Pain
It’s been more than six months since I posted a gallery, so I thought I’d share some of my adventures, none of which have produced a prolific portfolio of photographs, but all of which were worth exploration. I’m still hunting arches as I was re-elected as President of the Natural Arch and Bridge Society, am still fascinated by long hikes to waterfalls, am still learning new techniques to photograph the night sky and am still hiking here and there, especially there.
Some people age gracefully and some do not. I retired in time to join those who do not. Details aside, when physically challenged, I try to respond defiantly in kind. The more I'm hurting, the longer and harder the hike. One of my gastroenterologists recently said to me: “At some point you are going to have to put your medical care before your passion.” And I responded, “Or not.”
As I inferred, there is no cohesive theme to this gallery, so I named it, “Nature Eases My Pain.” At the very least, it's a distraction.
I hope you enjoy it and don’t forget to read the captions. Often, they are more interesting than the photographs. Sad, but true.
