The Cellar - The Odyssey of the WASP

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The Odyssey of the WASP

Twil and I have been on this odyssey for a couple years now. Where we live we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to natural beauty. No, no, not me, pshaw, stop it, you're making me blush. No, really, our state, Washington, has many state parks across the state that showcase the whole gamut of environments ranging from the stunning to the sublime.

We've set a goal for ourselves to visit every WA State Park. There are almost 200 of them, it's a little bit of a moving target. We have visited several of them and we love to take pictures when we visit. It's a nice focal point for a road trip. I don't have all my pictures completely organized but I'd like to share some with you despite that housekeeping.

I hope you enjoy the trips with us.

Beacon Rock State Park.

Quote:

Beacon Rock, the core of a young volcano that erupted around 57,000 years ago, had a traditional cone shape until raging Ice-Age floodwaters scoured away at its flanks. Native Americans knew that it marked the last of the rapids on the Columbia River and the beginning of tidal influence from the Pacific Ocean, 150 miles away.

Yes, I climbed a volcano.

In Kandersteg Switzerland there's a trail called the Via Ferrata. When we were there a couple years ago with the troop, I wanted to hike this trail, but the weather never permitted, unfortunately. This picture gives you sample of what I did hike. It's no clip in-spike-to-spike trip, but there is an abundance of railings and switchbacks. It was a magnificent trip. I started out early, and it was raining lightly so I had the volcano to myself. I only saw a couple hikers on my way down.

Beacon Rock, halfway up, looking out at the river, down at the trail, and up to the summit.

Those big trees on the upside of you are going to keep pushing and pushing till the big hunks of ledge supporting them pop off the face of the mountain.

Kind of like children.

Wow! That was worth the wait time loading.

How long is a normal wait?