Tutkia

Kelowna (BC) sunset.

Crater Lake in Oregon is a remarkable feature with some of the purest water anywhere.  Nearly all of the water accumulates through precipitation, including massive winter snow fall that historically averages 48 feet.

Water when you needed it, even in winter.  Water - both reliable and clean - was essential to the successful operation of steam locomotives.  The Canadian Pacific Railway design for enclosed water tanks allowed steam locomotives to refill their tenders, even in subzero weather.  This rare survivor served at Brookmere, British Columbia until as late at 1959.  Remarkably, it has survived the recent devastation in British Columbia from 500 year flooding, and the extensive wildfire season of 2021, which reached the outskirts of Brookmere, just a few hundred meters away.

Atmospheric rivers bring spectacular scenes along the rivers of Western Washington.  After at least 4 inches of rain in 24 hours, Snoqualmie Falls reached a peak of more than 40,000 cfs on March 1, 2022.  The record of more than 70,000 cfs set in November 1990 stands untouched.

Beautiful ephemeral scenes occur when snow hits the Puget Sound lowlands.

Mid winter in the mountains of western Washington often brings brief periods of spring-like conditions with temperature soaring in the 50s by day and the 20s by night.  This pattern of freeze/thaw creates beautiful topography in the fresh snow.

A few chips off the old block

Hiking through dense forest and deep snow.  Suddenly, between the trees, you see the reason you got up this morning.

Deep orange sunsets are often a byproduct of wildfire.

During winter the state highway through Mt. Rainier National Park is closed creating abundant winter sport opportunities.

How exactly did White River get its name?  Was it named in the winter, or during the spring melt?

Seattle in the wild

The Eiffel Tower from a different perspective.  Until I saw it up close, I had no sense of the complexity or size of the structure.

The doc has arrived . . . ducks and other waterfowl are close at hand for a free meal as Steelhead complete their spawning cycle.

Museum studies 404 assignment: describe a scenario where “do not touch” exhibit labels serve no useful purpose in protecting the collection.

It would seem as though the BNSF Railway has discovered that supply chain disruptions have created a “prime” opportunity for new business.