Nature Eases My Pain
What Passes For Art
The next stop on our journey through the fog was Neah Bay, where I hoped to photograph the Point of Arches at the end of the Shi Shi Trail. The trail requires a Makah Recreational Use Permit that you can buy online or in town. The trail crosses through two miles of forest, the first of which is mostly boardwalk and the second of which is mostly mud. You then climb down onto the beach on a set of steep stairs and the final two and a half miles are on the beach. From the top of the stairs, you are treated to a lovely piece of outdoor art. As it is close to the middle of nowhere, you are left to wonder how they managed it and why.
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.
