I've been a
professional journalist for more than 25 years, capturing the simplicities and
intricacies of both human nature and our natural surroundings with various
combinations of our language's 21 consonants and five vowels. I have been
privileged to work with many highly experienced photographers. The best are
able to capture given moments in time -- an expression on someone's face, the
angle of a waterfall as it spills to the rocks below, the passing glint of a
red sunset.
Driven by curiosity
more than any sort of directional change in the way I elucidate information,
this page represents my attempt to visually chronicle the world around me.
After working, and continuing to work, with the fascinations of words, I feel I
have learned to speak a second language. I believe that life is a series of
still images that when they occur in rapid enough succession, create the
illusion of movement. I've gone hunting for the stillness in the movement of
life.
Come with me then,
and see what I've found. The journey has just begun.
Check out my new multimedia page.
A Boy Waves- On the VIA Rail Canada train from Victoria to Courtenay, B.C., a boy standing next to his bicycle waves at us. What is it about kids (including the kid who's Web site you are now on) and trains?
A Doubletree Grows In Portland- The DoubleTree Hotel Lloyd Center is signified by this signage at the end of the Portland Vintage Trolley line from the Library-Southwest Ninth Avenue station to the aforementioned mall on the other side of the Willamette River. That's Holladay Park on the right.
A Drive To The Sea- On the Pacific Coast near Ocean Park, Washington, you can drive on the beach. The SUV in this picture seems headed for the ocean itself.
A Fork In The Road- While we pass along this stretch of central California beachfront, the man on the lower-right is enjoying his meal. Note the conductor staring out at the window in wonder. It's a testament to the scenic beauty that a train staffer who has presumably worked this route numerous times is still captivated by the vistas it has to offer.
A Great Place To Do Your Homework- A passenger on San Francisco's CalTrain commuter line seems to be studying for a test. Our train is just south of the San Francisco terminus at 4th and Townsend Streets.
A Maize-ing Gaze- Corn does not only grow in Nebraska. To the surprise of many passengers on the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad, corn can grow in Washington State, as well.
A Rock And A Hard Place- So was the federal prison on Alcatraz Island. Decommissioned some four decades ago, it now is a tourist attraction.
A Smile From Above- On this gloomy November day near Ocean Park, Washington, the soon-to-be-setting sun broke through and shone down on us.
A Track Of Their Own- For 10 months out of the year, the Portland Vintage Trolley line offers 21-minute Sunday runs over the MAX tracks from the Library to Lloyd Center. When the trolley reaches NE 11 Avenue, it runs on 500 feet of its own track.
Abibiti- Available for rental, this converted tugboat is shown moored at the Stanley Park Boat House in Vancouver, B.C.
Acelarates- Here's a view from the inside of Acela, Amtrak's new, high speed service between Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C.
A-Choo- More powerful than its diminutive dimensions would lead you to believe, the Sumpter Valley Railroad's 1920 Alco Mikado cuts an impressive path between McEwen and Sumpter, Oregon.
Adobe Gallery Shop- The Adobe tools I use on my computer are of far recent vintage than the adobe used to construct many buildings in Santa Fe, including this gallery.
Above The Trail- Immediately to the east of Portland's Springwater On The Willamette Trail, thatches of urban woodland separate the four-mile path from the southeast Portland neighborhoods that overlook it.
Against A December Sky- On a foggy day in early December, an evergreen tree is the only leaved fauna. I took this shot from the dome car of the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train, which runs along the shore of Lake Washington east of Seattle.
Against The Grain- The contents of this grain elevator near Malta, Montana, could probably feed a small town for a month.
Albany Station- At Albany, Oregon, a two-level Amtrak Coast Starlight train pulls up to the depot. The building in the far background serves as the station.
A-ledged- I shot this picture from a ledge, north of Florence on the Oregon Coast.
All Aboard- It's a quiet afternoon in coach on the Tillamook Bay Railroad, a tourist operation along a short stretch of the northern Oregon coast.
All Aboard The Wine Train- We are about to board one of the coaches for the 18-mile run from Napa to St. Helena, Calif.
All Along The Watchtower-- At more than 5,000 feet above sea level, the U.S. Forest Service's fire lookout tower sits atop Lava Butte about 10 miles south of Bend, Oregon.
All Downhill From Here- Heaven for skiers, this is one of many skiing areas just east of Winter Park, Colorado.
All In The Bag- As our Portland Vintage Trolley car rounds the bend, one wonders what is in the four bags parked near Southwest First Avenue and Yamhill Street in downtown Portland. If we saw this right after 9/11, it probably would have freaked out Ashcroft.
All In The (Burlin)game- On a Sunday afternoon, our southbound CalTrain commuter coach pauses at the busy Burlingame, Calif. stop.
All The World Is A Sage- Sagebrush dominates the roadside path along the Crooked River Dinner Train's 19-mile route from just north of Redmond, Oregon to Prineville.
All Uphill From Here- The ride through Nebraska starts a gradual climb toward Colorado, and the Rockies. We’ve just crossed the state line into Colorado.
Alone Again Oar- With the greenery of Washington State's Whidbey Island in plain view, an oarsman pilots his small craft through an inlet of Washington State's Puget Sound.
Among Their Souvenirs- After a stop-over at the Columbia Winery in Woodinville, Wash., passengers toting wine and other souvenirs from the winery’s gift shop are set to re-board the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train for the 70-minute return trip to Renton.
An Autumn Shade of Green- On Vancouver Island, the rugged country north of Vancouver offers trees beginning to dip into the varied palette of fall.
Ancient History- This view from the Sheep Rock Unit of Oregon's John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is as of a time machine in the earth.
Anicia's Lane- Anicia Lane, who died in July, 1988, was the love of my life. The last time I saw her was at around 10 a.m. on Monday, December 14, 1987. After spending the weekend together at her home in Fairfax, Va., she dropped me off at Washington’s Union Station at the exact spot pictured in this photograph. I consider the location hallowed ground.
Another Friday Bite- We Northwesterners love to picnic in the summer. As this scene just north of Seattle shows, summer is when our skies are the bluest. We are on the Empire Builder, just a few miles north of King Street Station.
Apollo 11- The Apollo 11 Command Module is now stored at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. I visited there in December, 2002.
Approaching The Surf- In San Francisco, the N-Judah line starts out underground, but soon surfaces to take Judah Street to within a couple of blocks of the Pacific Ocean.
Arching To Victoria- This scene looks out from the harbor at Port Angeles, Washington. Victoria, B.C. is an hour away by ferry and about 20 minutes by seaplane.
Astoria Station- At the Astoria Railroad Station in Astoria, Oregon, a few earlybirds await the 4:45 p.m. departure of the Oregon Coast Explorer.
Atlanta Freeway- MARTA's North-South rail line passes over the Interstate 75/85 Connector on its way downtown. Although I took this picture in February, 2002, the hazy sun reminds me of what the skies over Atlanta look like in the summer.
At Qualicum- Here on the eastern shore of Vancouver Island, a lone sea gull stands at the intersection of the land and sea.
At The Grove- On the way back to its origination point at Wickersham, Washington, the Lake Whatcom Railway pauses for about 20 minutes at this wayside grove.
Azurite - Behold this deep, blue ornamental stone. Found this specimen at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
Baby Got Groove- On a December Sunday in the Old Town section of Alexandria, Virginia, this adorable, bubble-faced little girl was captivated by the flute-imbued music of a Peruvian Indian band.
Back To Yakima- The Yakima Valley, (Wash).Trolley is leaving Selah on its nearly six-mile run back to its Yakima base. After a few years of mothballed status, the tourist line resumed operations in July, 2002.
Backing In- Our Snoqualmie Valley Railroad train backs in to the North Bend, Washington depot. About 15 minutes later, we will be on our way down to Snoqualmie.
Back Shore Zone- Seaweed and intertidal fauna are found in back shore zones, such as in this environment on Puget Sound in Edmonds, Washington.
Balcony Before Sunset- About one hour before sunset, facing east from my upstairs balcony in Portland.
Barely A Ripple- On Puget Sound's Elliott Bay, this afternoon finds the normally lively waters seemingly as calm as a farm pond.
Barn Again- On the return trek from Mineral Lake, the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad once again passes this pastoral scene.
Barns Ignoble- Two barns, partially burned and long abandoned. I know people like that. Do you?
BART Car- Streaks of sunlight appear through the windows of a BART subway car.
Batterson Bypass- On the way from Wheeler to Cochran, Oregon, our Port Of Tillamook Bay Railroad Fall Foliage train passes through Batterson, a former interchange stop for loaded and empty cars. This siding is more than one mile long.
Bay Day- We are riding south on the Oregon Coast Explorer, headed for the southern terminus of Garibaldi.
Baying At The Bridge- Here's a view of the northern offload to San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Sausalito is barely out of view to the right.
BC Ferry- A giant, six-level BC Ferry vessel is set to leave Tsawwassen on its way to Nanaimo, B.C.
BC Parliament Lights- In Victoria, the British Columbia provincial Parliament building is lit up at night, and has been for many decades. The 3,000-light effect is awe-inspiring.
BC Parliament Sketch- I used a sketch effect to produce this art rendering of the British Columbia provincial Parliament building in Victoria. The building is lit up at night by means of 3,000 white lights.
Bear Paw Mountains- Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Indians, surrendered to the U.S. Army here. In words immortalized in a folk song familiar to many Northwesterners, he lamented, "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."
Be There And Be Square- Downtown Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square was built where a parking lot once stood. On sunny, warm days - unlike this one - it is a gathering point for office workers eating their brown-bag lunches. The Square is also a stop on Portland's MAX line.
Being John Laroquette- From this position, the anonymous picknicker at the Skunk Train's Northspur, California campground looks a bit like actor John Laroquette. Don't you think?
Bellingham Pullout- On its way to San Juan Island in Washington State, our San Juan Explorer catamaran backs out of the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. Amtrak and Greyhound are across the street.
Bellingham Station- Northbound to Vancouver, B.C., Amtrak's Mount Baker International pulls into Bellingham, Washington.
Bellevue View- The 24-mile route of the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train runs mostly through waterfront and pastoral settings. This view of the thriving suburb of Bellevue, Wash., is an exception.
Bend But Not Break- On a blustery day in January, 2003, the winds along the northern Oregon Coast just south of Cannon Beach gave these trees a demanding test.
Better Than Driving- Dark for want of a light source, this is a picture of the Los Angeles subway, known officially as the Red Line.
Between A Rock And A Hard Face- On its route from Tsawwassen south of Vancouver to port as Swartz Bay north of Victoria, B.C., the B.C. Ferry passes several rocky outcroppings.
Between The Clouds- Fog in the valley and clouds in the sky sandwich the hills along the route of the Pend Oreille Valley Railroad from Ione to Metaline Falls, Wash.
Between The Poles- Skiers on Oregon's Mount Hood need to balance themselves on the snow, and glide gracefully around the poles. From the looks of it, not all succeed all the time.
Beware The Tides Of Marsh- Ankle-deep, and occasionally knee-deep, marsh flats pervade the western shore of Washington State's Willapa Bay.
Beyond The Gate- Lie the remains of many, who have given their lives to the cause of a free nation.
Biggs- As the westbound Empire Builder wends its way through the Columbia River Gorge, it passes a bridge that takes travelers to Biggs, Oregon, on the other side of the river.
Bikes On Spikes- Many of CalTrain's double-decker passenger cars have been repainted. Others are new to the fleet. And as you can see, many trains come with a separate car for bicycles.
BinginInBingen- The workmanlike town of Bingen, Washington is in view from the right side of the westbound Empire Builder. Off to our left, out of view of the camera, is the windsurfing capital of Hood River, Oregon.
Birch Society- As we can see from the Tillamook Bay Railroad, birch trees line the hills above the Nehalem River near Wakefield, Oregon.
Bird Break- In and around Cascade Locks, Oregon, numerous tiny unnamed islands provide a brief respite and "rest stop" for river fowl.
Birth Of Creedence- This is an aerial view of El Cerritos, Calif., taken from the elevated BART line that passes through this area. John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival was born somewhere below.
Bite Bytes- For one weekend every August, Portland's Waterfront Park on the west shore of the Willamette River turns into a bacchanalia of food, drink, and cool music. This shot was taken on Friday, August 11, the first day of the 2000 event. The sparse workday crowd grew exponentially closer to dark, and achieved near-gridlock proportions that weekend.
Blaine Playing Field- Almost exactly on the Washington-British Columbia border, this field in Blaine, Washington is suitable for many types of sporting activities.
Blowing Off A Head Of Steam- The steam engine of the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad vents every once in a while. Me, too.
Blue Mountain- Washington State's Lake Whatcom Railway passes within sight of Blue Mountain, about 20 miles to the northeast.
Blue Streaks Across The Sky- This art shot was taken with special effects settings. I won't tell you of what.
Boarding At Banks- We are in the old lumber and railroad town of Banks, Oregon, getting ready to board the Pacific Sunset Summit Train on a 19-mile jaunt up to the Timber-Cochran area near the peak of the Oregon Coast Range.
Bobbed Like A Cork- From my 14th floor room window at the Hyatt Embarcadero in San Francisco, I caught this visage of a wave-tossed computer ferry boat bobbing up and down on its way to shelter at the ferry slip.
Bon Voyage- The three-minute Willamette River crossing of Oregon's Canby Ferry is a throwback to days when water-spanning country bridges were uncommon. Now operated by Clackamas County, this operation has been running since 1914 and carries 90,000 passengers a year.
Boozin' For A Cruisin'- Several cruise ships and ferry lines leave Bellingham, Wash. for points in the San Juan Islands, British Columbia and Alaska. Many carry passengers who imbibe from the stocks of cold brew carried on trucks such as the one pictured above.
Bored- Not the name of a slacker Web site, but the west portal of the Robertson Tunnel, the Portland light-rail system's burrow under Washington Park.
Bought The Farm- Intel did. Hawthorne Farm once saw cow chips. Now, computer chips are manufactured there - quite possibly the same chips that are running the PC you are viewing this picture on.
Boulders Dammed- The cliff sides surrounding Mount St. Helen's sport large boulders, remnants of the 1980 volcanic eruption.
Bowling Alone- I borrowed the name of a sociological book about the isolation of American citizens to describe this picture. We are looking at the inside of the Devil's Churn, a punchbowl-like formation on Oregon's coast.
Bragging Rites- The California & Western Skunk Train's railbus-like car has pulled back into its terminal in the seaside town of Fort Bragg, California.
Branching Out- As Mount St. Helens looms in the background, an old tree stump combines with what appears to be a burnt-out building to cast a mildly post-Apolyptic scenescape.
Bridge And Shack- In New Westminster, B.C., this beaten down collection of shacks and tool sheds is a stark contrast with the gleaming Skytrain rail bridge over the Fraser River.
Bridge Of The Gods- At Cascade Locks, Oregon, the Columbia River is spanned by this bridge that takes its route and its name from an old rock crossing revered by Native Americans.
Bridge Over Brackish Water- There are two John Day Rivers in Oregon. One is in the east-central part of the state. The other is this often muddy stream that runs underneath an often-stuck drawbridge along the Astoria-Portland route of the Lewis and Clark Explorer.
Byte At The End Of The Tunnel- This eastbound Union Pacific freight train has just emerged from a tunnel near Cascade Locks, Oregon. That is about 40 miles east of Portland.
Bridge Over Bubbled Water- The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge casts a late afternoon shadow on the water below.
Bridge Over Gorge- The world's longest suspension bridge towers 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River. It's a long way up -- and down.
Broiling Surf- When the wind and waves rip off California's Mendocino Coast, the tide crashes over the rocks.
Brood On The Tracks- Peasants on the tracks? No, these are actors from the Cutter Theatre in Metaline Falls, Wash. They have just "robbed" the passengers on the Lion's Club train ride we are on.
Brook Look- Slightly out of view, a brook cuts through the brush along the left side of our Chehalis-Centralia flatcar. Something below has captured the attention of all the passengers. I was concentrating on getting this shot.
Brush and Hills- Near Stinson Beach, California Highway 1 passes through hilly brush.
Brush At Leadbetter Point- Overlooking Willapa Bay, the leaves and accompanying fauna signify the late fall colors commonly observed on the trees in this area of coastal Washington.
Brushoff- After Amtrak's northbound Coast Starlight leaves California's Pacific Coast south of San Luis Obispo, scenes like this one are more the norm.
Bubbles Below- A look down at the Devil's Churn, a natural formation off the Otter Crest Loop on Oregon's coast.
Buena Vista Ferry- Run by Marion and Yamhill Counties, the two-man crew of the Buena Vista Ferry is set to cross the usually placid Willamette River.
Bunkin' In Duncan- If you decide to leave VIA Rail Canada's Victoria-Courtenay train in Duncan or Cowichan, B.C., this motel is one of the few lodging alternatives open to you.
Burlington Below- The embankment on which the Yakima Valley Trolley runs between Selah and Yakima, Wash., provides a view down at a branch line of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe. That line runs between Yakima and Ellensburg, and through a connection at Ellensburg, to Seattle.
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Burbank Airport- On weekdays, more than 35 Northbound Metrolink commuter trains and several Amtrak Pacific Surfliner schedules stop at the Burbank Airport stop. Bound for L.A. and hate LAX? Try Burbank's convenient airport.
Burbanking On It- Bound for Los Angeles Union Station, a Metrolink commuter train is pulling into the downtown Burbank stop.
Burrard View- Here is a view of Burrard Inlet and the Vancouver Harbour, from our vantage point on the 15th floor of the Pan Pacific Hotel.
Busy Downtown Train Depot- In the bustling metropolis of Nehalem, Oregon, tens of thousands of harried commuters madly dash through the train terminal on their way to work. Not!!
But Is Pluto A Planet- This display outside the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum seems to imply that Pluto is, in fact, a planet. Some scientists are not so sure.
Bytes Out- No, this is not a movie theater, but a flash illuminating an otherwise pitch-black scene as our Pend Oreille Valley Railroad train takes us through an unlit tunnel.
Cabin-Net- Just west of Salty's seafood restaurant on the Columbia River, Cabin cruisers and more inexpensive vessels dock at a marina in the North Portland Harbor.
Cable Crossing- In San Francisco, the automobiles stop for the cable cars - and the other way around, as well.
Cable Ready- The San Francisco cable car pictured above isn’t the famous line that goes to Fisherman's Wharf, but the somewhat less illustrious California Street line. As much a regular transit line than a tourist resource, this route goes from Market Street to the intersection of California and Van Ness.
California Casey- As our Skunk Train passes through the redwoods, our engineer is totally focused on the job, and the railroad ahead. But since the maximum allowable speed is 20 mph, he can only move the train so fast.
California Curve- Not long out of Fort Bragg, California, the Skunk Train must negotiate curves such as this one.
Calling All Dirt Bikes- If you live in California and drive off-road bikes, vistas like this will get you goin.'
Camping Out- The camper looks a little old and beat up, but on this summer afternoon in the Malheur National Forest, the world looks peaceful. If only it was.
Can I Get A Witness- We are peering in from the deck of our Portland Spirit boat, looking at a summertime dinner party. You may note the "No Witnesses" sign, but I guess the world knows about them now.
Can You Dig It- Spurred on by the opening of the Portland Streetcar line, construction of new condos, office buildings and restaurants is a frequent sight in downtown Portland.
Candid Camby- A charming little town full of crafts shops and flower farms, Camby, Oregon sits some 22 miles south of Portland. Several Amtrak trains zip through per day, though none stop.
Car 6135- Every day, self-propelled Rail Diesel Cars such as this one ply VIA Rail Canada's 140-mile route between Victoria and Courtenay. We are laying over at Nanaimo.
Cascading Effect- Despite the efforts of some penny-pinching conservative politicians, the Amtrak Cascades has revived the popularity of training between Portland and Seattle. As a result of this popularity, rail commuter service - such as the Tacoma-Seattle train in the background - are also catching on. Both consists are parked at Seattle's venerable King Street Station.
Casey Jones- The Astoria, Oregon Riverfront Trolley is driven by volunteers, including the motorman pictured above.
Cashed Out In Time- Yachts such as the After Eight are an impressive sight in Friday Harbor, the largest town in Washington state's San Juan Islands. I wonder if this fine vessel is owned by dot-com millionaires who cashed out - knowing that the Internet bubble was not sustainable.
Casting The Net- Native American tribal members, plus one dog, exercise their fishing rights in the Columbia River near Cascade Locks, Oregon.
Catapulting Coast Wind- It was so windy on this day along the northern Oregon Coast in January 2003, that I had to fight the gales to open my car window.
Catch A Wave- At Lincoln City, Oregon, a couple ponders the waves - and their future, perhaps? Or maybe they are just talking about whether to refinance their house.
Catch As Ketchikan- Twice a week in summer, the Alaska Marine Highway ferries people, vehicles, and even horses from Bellingham, Wash. to points north. After a 40 hour sail, the first stop will be Ketchikan, Alaska.
Cat In The Waves- With a little photo editing, you can turn day into night. When I did so, a cat appeared on the crest of this wave off California's Mendocino coast.
Cat In The Waves Close-up- That same Mendocino Waves "cat," up close and personal.
C-C Riders- A 1920-era former Union Pacific coach belonging to Washington State's Chehalis-Centralia Railroad sits, waiting to board several passengers.
Cedar Scene- The cedars in far northeast Washington State turn yellow in October. I shot this from an open window of a Pend Oreille Valley Railroad tourist train car.
Central Boulevard Scene- The elevated trackbed of Vancouver's SkyTrain provides a stage for this late afternoon view.
Chairs Lounge- The Napa Valley Wine Train's parlor car features cushy seats like these.
Channeling- The south channel of the Columbia River separates north Portland from Hayden Island. You wouldn't know it, but we are still in the city.
Chuckanut Bay- Riding south from Vancouver, B.C., our Amtrak train rides along Chuckanut Bay just north of Bellingham, Washington.
Churn Noble- A closer look at the Devil's Churn, which is a natural formation about midway up the Oregon coast.
CinderN'Smoke- The Sumpter Valley Railroad's 1920 Alco Mikado is blowing off some steam.
City South- Leaving San Francisco, our San Jose-bound CalTrain commuter train passes through non-descript warehousing areas just south of downtown.
Clatskanie Clickety-Clack- On a warm Friday morning in May, 2003, the Lewis & Clark Explorer passes just behind the well-watered lawns of Clatskanie, Oregon.
Claynation- Far from the greening effects of the Rockies, the landscape of Western Colorado near Grand Junction, starts to turn arid.
Clear Blue Mountain Lake- Tiny, clear natural lakes dot the valleys around Oregon's Mount Hood.
Cliff- An idyllic scene off the Mendocino Coast of California.
Cliffside- Scrubs and brush cling to dear life on the side of the Box River Canyon walls between Ione and Metaline Falls, Wash.
Climbing- Our Pacific Sunset Summit Train is gaining altitude on its way to the 1,835-foot high crest of the Oregon Coast Range.
Close Encounters- Remember the "mashed potatoes" scene in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind?" In June, 2002, I went on a short hike through Oregon's John Day Fossil Beds and came across this. You be the judge.
Close Encounters2- Here's an even closer look at the geological structure I call "close encounters."
Closely Watched Train- The solitary figure on the steps is looking at the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train as it prepares to leave its northern terminus at Woodinville. He seems lost in thought - a familiar emotion to me.
Cluster Of Cows- Bovine huddles such as these are often seen on the small farms just outside Mohler, Oregon. Fortunately, our Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad train will soon leave this scene, and its attendant aroma, behind.
Coach Class- We're peering in at the former Union Pacific Coach #20, now in service on the Sumpter Valley Railway in eastern Oregon.
Coast Guard Vessel- The Columbia, a U.S. Coast Guard vessel in port at Astoria, Oregon.
Coffee By The Tracks- Obviously, this coffee house is planning to generate marked new business from passengers on the new MAX Yellow Line in Portland.
Columbia Queen- The "Proud Mary" of the Northwest, the Columbia Queen plies the waters of the Columbia River between The Dalles and Astoria, Oregon.
Columbia Sternwheeler- Built in 1982, this boat runs sightseeing and dinner cruises in and around Bonneville Dam and Cascade Locks, in Oregon. You board it at Marine Park in Cascade Locks.
Columbia The Gem- We're riding Amtrak's Cascade train between Portland and Seattle, following the Columbia River.
Coming Into Los Angeles- "Coming into Los Angeles, bringin' in a couple of keys," sang Arlo Guthrie. The only "keys" I had with me on the Metrolink train were the card keys to my hotel room back in Burbank.
Coming Out of the Dark- A train on Portland's West Side rail line pulls out of a short tunnel, and into the Sunset station.
Commute This- On this busy Saturday afternoon, the Dallas-Fort Worth Trinity Railway Express pulls in to Dallas Union Station, on the way back to Fort Worth, 30 miles to the west.
Conventional- As it enters daylight, Seattle's bus tunnel provides a handy stop at the Washington Convention Center.
Cool Tomales- I shot this from the back deck of a restaurant overlooking Tomales Bay in Marin County. Scenes from Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" were filmed in the hills near here.
Corridor To Camas -We are looking out at the smokestacks of Camas, Washington, from our vantage at Crown Point, 733 feet above the Columbia River some 25 miles east of Portland.
Cove Near Sunset- On a sunny October day at the Mendocino Coast, the sun shows its first sign that it may be getting ready to quit for the day.
Coventrees- On Sauvie Island near Portland, three trees line the grassy shore of a cove formed by an inlet of the Multnomah Channel.
Cowadunga- Presented by the Yakima Valley Rail & Steam Museum Association, the tourist train run between Harrah and White Swan, Washington bears witness to the sight and smell of bovine life.
Cowichan- Every day, tens of thousands of harried commuters jam VIA Rail Canada's busy depot in the sprawling metropolis of Cowichan, B.C. But that is in a parallel universe. I've just landed back here, and I gotta be straight with ya -- this charming facility and Cowichan are made for each other.
Crested Beaut- This photo I took of the lapping Puget Sound waters off West Seattle is one of my favorites.
Crew Cut Landscape- The flora looks like crew cut hair, in this picture from the Montana Rockies.
Crooked River Consist- Preparing for its three-hour jaunt near the Crooked River in Oregon's High Desert Country, the Crooked River Railroad's Crooked River Dinner Train briefly reposes at its originating terminus just north of Redmond, Oregon.
Cropping A Field- Irrigated fields such as this one mark much of the Crooked River Railroad's 19-mile route from just north of Redmond, Oregon to Prineville.
Crossing Gait- When the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train passes at grade, drivers must pause.
Crossing Moberly- Moberly Street intersects our Downtown Historic Railway ride from Vancouver's Science Park to Granville Island.
Crossing Over- On its approach into the final mile to Portland International Airport, our Portland MAX train crosses over I-205. The train had been paralleling I-205 for more than three miles.
Crossing The Nehalem- One of many railroad spans across Oregon's Nehalem River reveals the sun's reflection on the water.
Crossing To Bear- Just a few miles north of Victoria, B.C., a railroad crossing warns motorists and pedestrians of northbound VIA Rail Canada trains such as our northbound Malahat.
Crosstown Traffic- As motorman Joe Rief prepares his vintage Yakima Valley Trolley car to cross a Yakima intersection, the concern on Rief's face suggests an abundance of caution that the crossing does not result in a collision between trolley and SUV.
Crystal Lights- With apologies to the popular diet drink - which my mother pours gleefully when I come to visit - we are looking over at the office towers of Crystal City, Va. Our vantage point is the Washington Metro.
Current Events- Between The Dalles and Hood River, the Columbia River shimmers.
Curtains Of Light- An art shot, for sure. That's all I am gonna tell ya.
Curving Into Kenton- Our northbound MAX Yellow Line train is rounding the bend into the Kenton/North Denver Avenue station.
Crystal Dolphin- A twilight cruise on Portland's Willamette River draws us close to the Crystal Dolphin, an elegant cruise yacht.
Cutting The Waves- A group of power-boat enthusiasts relax as their boat makes waves along Portland's Willamette River.
Damnation- The Box Canyon Dam plugs up the Pend Oreille River at Metaline Falls, Wash. This is the northern terminus of the Pend Oreille Valley Railroad.
Dapple Of My Eye- Riding the rails from San Diego to Los Angeles, I caught this fleeting glimpse of late afternoon's dappled yellow sunlight, streaking its way between the leaves of a seaside grove, and then against the windows of our speeding train.
Dappling The Nehalem- Trees just above the shore of Oregon's clear Nehalem River sometimes interact with bright sunlight to cast shadows on the water.
Daughter Of Gertie- The Tacoma-Narrows Bridge collapsed 60 years ago. This newer bridge is far more sturdy, and barring major disaster, won't suffer the same fate anytime soon.
Dead N'Buried- Wild West denizens find their final resting place in this makeshift grave just off the Sumpter Valley Railway near Sumpter, Oregon.
December At The Lake- One must surmise that the atmosphere is quite cozy and comfy inside the house overlooking Lake Washington. We are riding the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train, and are only a few miles north of its southern terminus in Renton.
Decked Out- With many of their owners on the observation decks, cars loaded on the Bremerton-Seattle Washington State Ferry wait to be driven off the boat.
Declarations- On Amtrak's route between Vancouver, B.C. and Seattle, conductors pass out customs declarations forms to be filled out when our train reaches the border at Blaine, Washington.
Deep Sit- The Washington Park station of Portland's light rail system sits 260 feet below the ground. It is the deepest subway station in North America, and the second deepest in the world.
Denver Light Rail- This train on Denver's new extension to its light rail line is an attempt by the sprawling Rocky Mountain metropolis to take some cars off its often-clogged roads.
Denver Union Station- This magnificent old terminal hosts one Chicago-bound, and one San Francisco-bound, train each day. Additional trains to nearby ski resorts run during the winter.
Depot On Wheels- Now more charmingly derelict than functional, the Chehalis "depot" sits on wheels just off the tracks of the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad. Steam from the train's engine is starting to appear.
Desire Named Streetcar- Seattle's Waterfront Streetcar opened up as a tourist line, but now gets its share of workaday riders. It's pulling into the station and we're about ready to board.
Destination Victoria Station- On a clear Sunday evening, our one-car Via Rail Canada Malahat train has just returned to whence it started today's travels in Victoria, B.C.
Dibblee Island- On the lower Columbia River north of Rainier, Oregon, pristine Dibblee Island and its accompanying slough host several serene spots for kayakers.
Different Kind of Martini- When is a "martini" not a martini? When it is a premium wine from the Louis Martini winery in the heart of California's wine country. I took this picture from the Napa Valley Wine Train.
Diggin' For Dollars- This machinery once helped mine for gold. It is now on display at the Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge in Sumpter, Oregon.
Disap-pier- Unknown to all but a few Oregonians, the ferry that crosses the Clackamas River sits idle on this springtime Sunday afternoon.
Divergence-Just west of the MAX Rose Quarter station, the MAX Yellow Line splits off for its own tracks. A northbound, 5.8 mile ride to Expo Center awaits us.
Divine Ridge- I shot this from U.S. 395, as it passes the 5,340-feet Divine Ridge Summit on the way from Burns to John Day, Oregon.
Do The Loco-motion- Throughout the year, a steady procession of Spirit of Washington Dinner Train diners, wine and lots of yummy chow are pulled by WCRC 84.
Do The Lummi Rock- Lummi Island in the San Juans is named for the Lummi Tribe of Native Americans.
Do You Know The Way To Santa Fe- We're taking the Turquoise Trail, a series of back roads that traverse the mountain passes for around 65 miles between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, N.M.
Dock In Pastel- This file is not a photograph per se, but an illustration that shows my artistic treatment of a photograph I took of the Canby Ferry slip south of Portland, Oregon.
Dock Of The Bay- A small dock, a sunlit bay and a large horizon dominate this view of San Francisco Bay, taken just east of the Golden Gate Bridge's northern landing. The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is in the background.
Dock Of The Way- After leaving Canby, Oregon a little more than two minutes ago, the Canby Ferry is set to dock on the other side of the Willamette River. Our location is about eight miles east-northeast of Wilsonville.
Dome Alone- The Napa Valley Wine Train's dome car provides a bird's eye view of the more than 40 vineyards passed on its 18-mile jaunt.
Dome Alone2- This is one of the two dome cars of the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train.
Don't Blaine Me- Mudflats and tidepools predominate in Boundary Bay, which straddles the U.S.-Canada border between Blaine, Wash. and White Rock, B.C.
Don't Miss Mississippi- The festive atmosphere just outside our northbound MAX Yellow Line Albina/Mississippi stop indicates that this day marked the line's debut.
Down A Lazy River- Although rapids permeate portions of its route, Oregon's McKenzie River is placid and almost stream-like during some stretches.
Down At The Depoe- Here's a look out at the Pacific Ocean, from the whale-watching center of Depoe Bay, Oregon.
Down To The Crossroads- After leaving its Elbe terminus, the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad parallels Washington Highway 409 for a short while.
Down To The Sea- San Francisco's Powell-Mason cable car line is on its downward run toward Fisherman's Wharf and San Francisco Bay.
Downtown Harrah- A small town of some 550 people within the boundaries of the Yakama Nation in Washington State, Harrah is the departure point for the Toppenish, Simcoe and Western run 11 miles west to White Swan.
Downtown Vancouver- The westbound Empire Builder is set to cross Interstate 5, and enter downtown Vancouver. The round structure is Smith Tower.
Down Track- Not a very high-res shot, but cropped to highlight the trackbed and hide the glare from the cab of the new Tacoma Link light-rail car on its maiden voyage from downtown back to the Freighthouse Square station 1.6 miles down the track.
Driftwood- It would be interesting to learn of this driftwood's journey from the forest to the sand at Lincoln City, Oregon.
Drivin' That Train, High On Propane- An electric generator is the source of power for the Issaquah Valley Trolley, which the eponymous Seattle suburb first saw in April, 2001.
Drooling Fish- This trout seems to have swallowed a bit more than he can handle. Fish can drool, I guess.
Eagle On The Sand- Just south of Oceanside, Calif., the pounding Pacific surf has cut an impression into the sand into the shape of a large bird.
East Amboy- The little-known Chelatchie Prairie Railroad runs during the summer between Yacolt and Chelatchie Prairie, Wash. in northeast Clark County. East Amboy sits somewhere in the middle of the route's six mile trek.
East Bay This Way- This photo from the subterranean depths of BART’s Embarcadero Station in downtown San Francisco shows a few commuters waiting on the next train to the East Bay.
Eastbound And Down- East of Gateway, the tracks on Portland's MAX line resemble a suburban commuter railroad more than a light-rail line.
Eastern Airlines DC-3- Eastern is long-gone from the skies, as are most working (as opposed to hobbyist-flown) DC-3s. But the craft lives on at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.
East Of Everett- As the eastbound Empire Builder leaves its northerly route at Everett Washington, the scenery becomes more rural in a hurry.
East Of Hood River- The Columbia River glistens and the mountains on the Oregon side loom over the mighty waterway.
East Of The Dalles- The Columbia River may be coursing through here, but the semi-arid landscape still pervades - as it will for another 20 miles or so to the west.
East Sound And Bound- Here's a view of the beautiful East Sound, a body of water that separates the east end of Orcas Island in the San Juan Island from its western section.
East Sound Living- I know that envy is one of the "seven deadly sins," but I am going to have to write a great deal of best-selling words to afford abodes such as these, in the East Sound area of Orcas Island.
Easy Riders- No, the Portland Streetcar riders are not posing for my camera, but it sure looks like they are, doesn't it? Hi there, folks behind the glass!
Eat Seaweed- Long ago and far away, I used to smoke weed. Now I eat seaweed. A lot healthier for you. I have the feeling that the owners of this vehicle have made a similar transition.
Eating In Space- You were expecting Spago’s?
Edmonds- About seven miles north of Seattle, Edmonds, Washington is the first stop on the Empire Builder.
Edmonds Ferry- A pleasant dockside meal at Arnie's in Edmonds, Washington, provides ample opportunities to watch the ferry traffic going back and forth between the dock two blocks to the north, and the bucolic town of Kingston.
El Condor Pasa- When I encountered them on a December Sunday in Old Town Alexandria, Va.,this Peruvian Indian troupe was playing that song.
Elkhorn Pond- A clear, shimmering pond in eastern Oregon's Elkhorn Range. These peaks and hills are more commonly known as the Blue Mountains.
Embarcadero A Go-Go- As the "F" train proceeds down San Francisco's Embaracero, lunchtime vehicle and foot traffic can be seen. That's the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in the background. The big rock is Angel Island.
End Of The Line- Denver's tourist-oriented Platte River Trolley has reached its southern terminus at 15th Avenue.
Esquimalt- Our northbound VIA Rail Canada train has departed Victoria, and is passing over the northern edges of Victoria's Inner Harbour on the way to the suburb of Esquimalt.
Esquimalt Road- Our northbound VIA Rail Canada train has departed Victoria, and is running parallel along Esquimalt Street through the provincial capital's northern suburbs.
Eugene Oh Kneel- Amtrak's Coast Starlight has stopped in Eugene, Oregon. The curved track makes the train appear to kneel a bit. OK, that was a bad pun (Eugene O'Neill).
Evergreen Air Museum- Numerous vintage aircraft are on display at, in, and around the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.
Everybody Must Get Gladstoned- A rather faceless middle-class suburb immediately south of Portland's east side, Gladstone, Oregon is traversed by Amtrak's Portland-Eugene line. Visible here, I-205 runs parallel to the tracks.
Everyone Waves At A Train- Riding along the water near the U.S.- Canada border, the sense of wonder our passing train evokes is reinforcing to rail buffs like the owner of this Web site -- and the photographer. That is one and the same.
Every Oregonian's Mountain Home- Here's Timberline Lodge, the gracefully aging ski chalet at Oregon's Mount Hood. Since this is the second-most skied mountain in the world, it follows that Timberline Lodge sees lots of business.
Expressly- In the Columbia River Gorge region, the Interstate 84 expressway runs along, and occasionally above, the south side of the Columbia River. The south side is in Oregon, the north side is in Washington State.
Factoria Clearing- North of the industrial town of Factoria, Washington, our Spirit of Washington Dinner Train passes through this semi-cleared landscape.
False Creek Sunday- On a sunny Sunday in late August, Vancouver's False Creek is full of leisure-themed marine activity.
Fence By The Sea- Four miles south of Mendocino California, septic tanks preclude the availability of public restrooms. Immediately to the left of the image, I addressed the issue, err.. first hand.
Ferry Building- At the foot of Market Street, San Francisco's Ferry Building has been a landmark since 1898.
Fields Of Green- An open patch of land flanks our Snoqualmie Valley Railroad train along the route from North Bend to Snoqualmie, Wash.
Finger On The Button- I can visualize it now - an anti-nuclear activist does a search on Google for this phrase, and has landed here. Chill, dude. It's only a motorman on the Portland Streetcar, working the controls
Fins- Look hard at the lower right section of this picture. As Scotty said in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," there be whales here!
Fire Breather - As my then-neighbor's oh-so-lucky boyfriend holds her in a fond embrace her daughter seems to be breathing the very fire of the fireworks display 10 miles away.
Firesticks- On a beautiful late Saturday afternoon at Victoria, B.C.'s Inner Harbour, a modestly talented juggler is playing with fire. He dropped his sticks six or seven times, but as they say, "people who live in glass houses should not throw stones."
Fireworks At Night- Look very carefully, and you might see some fireworks in the distance, on this July 4 evening in Portland.
First There Is A Mountain, Then There Is No Mountain, Then There Is- On this rather cloudy Saturday, the view to Washington's Mount Rainier is periodically obscured by the puffy stuff. Thanks to British folkie Donovan for the reference.
Fish In Wood- Wood carvings in tree trunks stand in a small pocket park near Vancouver's Science World.
Foam Alone- The new water taxi from Seattle's Pier 54 to West Seattle kicks up some foam as it picks up speed along Elliott Bay.
Foaming At The Mouth- Just off Oregon's Highway 126, the waters of Sahalie Falls come crashing down to turbulent pools such as this one. We have visited on a late weekend afternoon, when the abundant trees shield most sunlight.
Fog Over 99- A warm early morning in late spring finds Oregon Highway 99E north of Eugene framed by a fog bank. We are on Amtrak, which parallels this highway over long stretches.
Following At Foley- Off the left and invisible in this picture, a few farmhouses mark Foley, Oregon. Little more than a clearing, Foley is traversed by the Tillamook Bay Railroad and the Nehalem River.
For Sedimental Reasons- Here, near the entrance to the John Day Fossil Beds, the sediment-bearing John Day River is set to duck into a cave.
For Everett Yours- The Empire Builder has just left Everett, Washington. In less than a minute, the train will enter a tunnel and then emerge on an eastbound trek. Two days later, it will arrive in Chicago.
Forest Clump- A thick, wooded area overlooks Portland's Willamette River as we take the SamTrak tourist train along its eastern shore. You'd never know it, but you're still in the city -- only about two miles from downtown. Is your city as green so close to its downtown core?
Forest From The Trees- Scenes like this are common on the Tillamook Bay Railroad. We are near Wakefield, headed to Salmonberry.
Forest In Black and White- Special effects from a forest off to the southeast of Mt. Sat. Helen's. This forest did not suffer from the 1980 volcanicexplosion.
Former Estate- The western view outside our Pend Oreille Valley Railroad car from Ione to Metaline Falls, Wash, reveals a field where an estate once was.
Fort Lauderdale Airport Station- South Florida's Tri-Rail commuter line makes a stop near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. A shuttle bus meets each train and takes passengers to the terminals.
Fort Lauderdale Amtrak- This stop, about two miles west of downtown Fort Lauderdale, is called on by dozens of commuter trains and several Amtrak trains per day.
Foss Cross- Here's the Nehalem River, taken from our open-car Tillamook Bay Railroad train near the clearing at Foss, Oregon.
Fossil Beds Entrance- We are on U.S. Highway 26, about to enter the Sheep Rock Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.
Fossil Beds Visitor Center- This house looks like a bed and breakfast, but it is really the official headquarters of the three-site, 14,000-acre John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.
Fourteen Joys- When Bob Welch used the phrase "fourteen joys and a will to be merry" in "Sentimental Lady," I had no idea what he was talking about. Without shame, I expropriate that reference to describe this view of Washington State Route 14, near Stevenson, Wash.
Framed By The Hills- A seat on the right side of an eastbound SkyTrain in Vancouver provides vistas of mountains not that far to the north.
Fraser River Crossing- On the way to Vancouver's SkyTrain Blue Line terminus in Surrey, the train crosses the Fraser River on a high bridge.
Freedom Train- On June 28, 2003, the former Southern Pacific 4449, which once helmed the American Bicentennial Freedom Train in 1975 and 1976, provided the motive power for a one-time-only excursion from OMSI in Portland south to the Sellwood neighborhood.
Freighter Foto- I didn't get a look at their insignia, but I do know they were outbound from Seattle. That's Puget Sound, of course.
Fremont Frame- Pulling out of Portland's Union Station, the northbound Amtrak Cascades nears the double-decked Fremont Bridge.
Friday Harbor Friday- We are set to dock at Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands. And, in a serendipitous footnote, it is Friday!
From Pier To Pyre- Apparently a victim of a long-forgotten fire, this pier along the waterfront of the Columbia River in Astoria, Oregon shows only pilings of its former role as a moor for ships and boats.
From Plane Thru Pane To Plain- Nebraska, at 33,000 feet.
From Pole To Pole- Skiers on Oregon's Mount Hood successfully navigate the obstacles with grace. Would it be that we could all do this.
From Rail To Trail- The Rio Grande Ski Train leaves Denver three days a week, and takes skiers to the trails of the Winter Park ski area, about two hours to the west of Denver. The train is laying over at Winter Park, and will take passengers back home to Denver this evening. Then, many of them will stop off at the brewpubs of Denver's revived LoDo District before they drive home.
From The Cab- Looking south from just behind the train operator's cab, riding on Denver's new light-rail line to Littleton, Col.
From The Inside- At least as much of a municipal conveyance than a tourist line, San Francisco's F train starts loading passengers for the ride back from Fisherman's Wharf toward downtown.
Function At The Junction- Washington Highway 7 crosses the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad. Make the turn, and you're headed to the lumber town of Morton, Washington.
Future Site Of Star Fleet Academy?- If I have my geography and my "Trekking" down right, the Mount Tamalpais area of Marin County (to the left of the Golden Gate Bridge) is where Star Fleet Academy will one day be "built."
Gastown Clock- Replete with souvenir shops, great restaurants and nightlife, Vancouver's Gastown is symbolized by this steam clock. It emits its loudest whistle on the hour, and draws many digital camera-toters in the process.
Gate Open- South Florida offers numerous water taxi rides. Here, we sail on the New River in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Up ahead, the Andrews Avenue drawbridge is open to let larger water traffic by.
Gateway To City- Having started its inbound trip at Portland Airport 13 minutes ago, a MAX train pauses at the Gateway station on the way to Portland's City Center.
Gathering Moss- Twenty-two years after the eruption of Mount St. Helens, the scorched soil springs to life again with mossy growth. A "rolling stone may gather no moss," but the peak does.
Gayle Warning- This is the Gayle Warning, based in Gig Harbor, Washington. I wonder how long it will take the owners of this yacht - or one of their friends, to stumble across this picture via a Google search.
Gaze And Dalles- The busy Columbia River port of The Dalles, Oregon, is on the other side of the bridge.
Gazing At Glendale- Just six miles north of Los Angeles Union Station, the Glendale stop is a busy facility for Amtrak, Metrolink commuter trains, plus Greyhound and local buses.
Gazing At The Grass- A grassy promontory on Sauvie Island, just outside Portland, Oregon.
Gee, It's Algae- Eastern Oregon's Blue Mountains and surrounding high grassland frame this image of a peaceful pond.
Get Your Kicks On Pier 66- The northbound Empire Builder has just pulled out of its mile-long downtown tunnel. Pier 66 and the Bell Street station of the parallel Waterfront Trolley are in plain view.
Get Your Pix On Route 66- The Washington Metro parallels I-66 for much of its route between Falls Church and Vienna, Va.
Getting Down- No, we are not talking about a jam session, or about, well, ya know. We are looking downward at the people riding the giant escalator down to the Peachtree Center subway station in downtown Atlanta.
Getting On The Trolley- The pleasures of fatherhood - a Dad has taken his young son to ride the trolley in Issaquah, Washington. What is it with boys and trains? With me, and trains? I'm still a kid, I guess.
Getting The Ship Together- On weekend mornings, it is not uncommon to see at least one such vessel preparing to leave the Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal.
Getting Your Rocks Off- From time to time, Yakima Valley Trolley motorman Joe Rief needs to get out of his vehicle and sweep the track clean of pebbles and rocks.
Ghostly Girl- Is that a reflection, or does the amply cleavage-d form of a ghost haunt the woods of southeast Portland?
Gingerbread Estates- Was it built, or baked? Only the residents of this cute home in Yacolt, Washington know.
Give Me Your Answer True- Daisy is a locomotive on display at the Skunk Train depot in Fort Bragg, California.
Give Photoshop A Workout- Your assignment for today, class, is to edit the photo of this boat at the Edmonds, Washington marina, to a point of clarity where you will be able to read the phone number on the For Sale sign in the window.
Glass In The Pane- On the Napa Valley Wine Train, a vintage,half-consumed Chardonnay sits on a table.
Glisten, People- On this stretch of U.S. 12 in the mountains of Washington State, snow hangs on well into the spring.
Going Down With You- Two scuba divers are planning to dive into the frigid waters of Seattle's Elliott Bay. If you found this pix with something more base on your mind, ha!
Go Fly A Kite- The Pacific coast at Lincoln City is a kite-flying mecca. Today, however, only one butterfly kite floats through the air.
Go To Idaho- I shot this mountainous Idaho scene from a Frontier Airlines jet.
Go With The Blow- Not drugs. I am referring to sailing on lazy days like this.
Go Your Own Way- Near San Juan Capistrano, California, a Metrolink commuter train from Los Angeles heads south toward Oceanside. We are headed north, toward Los Angeles.
Going To The Grove- On summer mornings, the Pacific Sunset Summit Train stops at a grove where a cookout is served. We are just a few short miles from the juicy spare ribs and chicken.
Good Morning Sunshine- A sunny May morning in a remote section of Northern California rendered this perfect mosaic of hill, sky, sun, and trees.
Goose Is Loose- That's the Grumman Goose, a storied commuter plane on display at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.
Gorge Bound- For a stretch near Wishram, Washington, the westbound Empire Builder seemingly straddles the waters of the Columbia River.
"Gorge-ous"- Central Colorado's Royal Gorge line seemingly cuts a path through this gorge.
Gorge Widens- West of Pasco, Washington, the Columbia River begins to take on Gorge-like width. We are not in the Gorge yet. One needs mountains for that. Fret not, for the true Gorge begins not too far to the west of this view.
Got Fish?- After a meal at Astoria, Oregon’s Cannery Café, a well-fed patron stands arms akimbo as he waits for the Astoria Riverfront Trolley to stop.
Granville Island Station- Our handsome, 1905-era Interurban 1207 car sits at Vancouver's Downtown Historic Railway's Granville Island terminus.
Gray Matters- Although specks of blue peak out on this cloudy day, the mountainsides of Washington State's White Pass are shrouded in gray clouds.
Gray Skies- You wouldn't know it, but we are in the city of San Francisco, on a quiet stretch of Pacific Ocean beach.
Great Northern Exposure- An impressive, well-preserved Great Northern Railway S-2 locomotive is on display at the Amtrak depot in Havre, Montana. What a beautiful machine!
Green and Blue- The Pacific Ocean surf on a typical fall day near Mendocino, California.
Green Balls- Some shots happen by accident. But no matter, because I like it! Reminds me of an unexplored region of space, where everything is weird and natural laws do not apply.
Groovy Grove- What appears to be a small cabin cruiser navigates the Multnomah Channel, which separates Oregon's Sauvie Island from the mainland. Notice the houseboats on the far side of the water. This area is a great, secluded picnic spot.
Grove Move- Oregon Coast Explorer's 1953-vintage Rail Diesel Car pulls into the Nehalem Bay Winery terminus.
Grovin'- Get into this beach-y grove, somewhere near Santa Barbara on Amtrak's northbound Coast Starlight.
Gull-ible- I shot this from the deck of a ferry going from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island. This gull matched our boat's every move.
Gull On Well-Worn Sand- The Pacific Coast beaches near Ocean Park, Washington see their share of dune buggies, SUVs, bikers and off-roaders. This gull stands firm on the inconstant ground.
Gulls and Sunset- As the sun begins to set over the Pacific Ocean in San Francisco gulls size up opportunities for their last meal of the day.
Halfstaff- A few miles north of Bellingham, Washington, our northbound Amtrak train passed through an industrial facility. On the day we went through there, flags were at half staff to commemorate the passing of President Reagan.
Hanford Reach- Just off I-90 in Washington State, the Columbia River's northern arc cuts through an area known as the Hanford Reach. Wild horses have been spotted below.
Hanging Strings Of Light- From a July 4 fireworks display over the Vancouver Historic Reserve in Vancouver, Wash.
Harbor Bytes- Both visible in this picture, San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, and Aquatic Park beckon water-oriented leisure enthusiasts.
Hauling On Highway 47- For several miles north of Banks, Oregon, the Pacific Sunset Summit Train parallels Oregon Highway 47 on its jaunt from Banks, Oregon to lumber towns along the route.
Have A Smoke- With the freshest air imaginable, it just broke my heart that several tobacco addicts took "advantage" of this ten-minute stopover in Whitefish, Montana to further pollute their lungs. Need help? Here's a start.
Have Mercer on Me- On a gloomy Saturday afternoon in December, the pricey homes of Mercer Island, Wash. are barely visible through the Lake Washington fog. The Spirit of Washington Dinner Train is passing through the soup at speeds up to 35 miles per hour.
Hay, There- Dozens of hay bales are gathered near the tracks of Washington state's Chehalis-Centralia Railroad.
Haystack Rock Stare- This rainy day finds three tourists awed and dwarfed by Haystack Rock. The monolith is just south of Cannon Beach.
Headed South- When the Napa Valley Wine Train reaches its northern terminus just past St. Helena, Calif., the locomotive comes off the front of the train and takes a spur track to the rear. The rear then becomes the front.
Helen On Reel- Well, I am the punster, and also the passenger - of the Yacolt & Chehatchie Prairie Railroad. The engineer was kind enough to stop long enough for us to take this shot of Mt. St. Helens.
Hello, Cleveland- At Cleveland Avenue, Portland's east side MAX line reaches its eastern terminus. Thanks to "Wayne's World" for that clichéd but appropriate line.
Helter Shelter- At "F" route trolley stops along San Francisco's Embarcadero, small shelters like this one are the only protection from the elements.
Herd And Seen- As diners feast on prime rib aboard central Oregon's Crooked River Dinner Train, grazing cattle feast as well.
Herded Through The Grapevines- Scenes like this are common on the Napa Valley Wine train.
Here Comes The Streetcar- As we look down Northwest 10th Avenue toward downtown Portland, the Portland Streetcar is headed toward our stop.
Here Comes The Vintage Trolley- On a rainy fall Sunday, a replica of Portland's Council Crest trolley cars pulls up to its eastbound origination point at the Library-Southwest Ninth Avenue station in downtown Portland.
Here’s How We Make It- An official at Woodinville, Washington’s Columbia Winery sizes up a new group of tour guests.
Here's Looking At Union Pacific, Kid- Fishing nets along the south shore of the Columbia River frame this shot of a Union Pacific freight, eastbound out of Portland, Oregon some 40 miles to the west.
High Above The Fraser- As our Amtrak train works its way eastward from New Westminster to Vancouver, B.C., the Skytrain rapid transit line runs on the bridge across the Fraser River.
High Desert Dessert- The trailer visible in the right side of the picture is the main food prep and storage area for the Oregon High Desert's Crooked River Dinner Train.
High Or Low?- The new Sounder commuter train between Seattle and Tacoma has two decks.
High Over The Highway- On its 24-mile route from Renton to Woodinville, Wash., the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train crosses over I-405 several times.
Highway To Hill- I've borrowed the title of this photo from an old AC-DC song. That hill is actually at the edge of the Seacliff neighborhood, where many of San Francisco's former dot-com billionaires (now, merely millionaires) live.
Hi There, Folks- I took this photo from the Issaquah Valley Trolley. This couple looks like they are growing old together. Being able to do so with someone you love is a privilege and a gift. I wish that for you.