RHH's photos with the keyword: memories

Last week on our way to eastern Washington we drove through the area of the Carlton Fire, Washington's largest-ever wildfire. The fire began as several fires all started by lightning which merged into each other and became one massive fire that burned over 250,000 acres and over 300 homes both in rural areas and in the towns of Pateros and Malott. The fire is under control now though areas are still smoldering and burning. When we drove through the area it was hazy from the smoke but we did not see what was left of the fire itself. We saw many burned homes and businesses and took a lot of pictures, though we felt rather awkward taking pictures of someone else's misfortune. This picture, however, says more than all the pictures of burned homes and vehicles. It was taken by my wife in the town of Pateros, in an area of the town where all the homes had burned to the ground. This pile, all that was left of someone's treasures, was in front of a home where only the chimney was still standing. The inset picture gives a wider view and the pile of china and dishes can be seen on one side. My wife, after taking the picture came back to the car in tears - this was more affecting than anything else we saw.

In Explore October 23, 2009, #161. A columbine in the sunshine dedicated to my good Flickr friend Rayann (Sagebrush7). May it always be sunshine and summer in your life, my friend.

During the holidays, my son-in-law who was visiting, my youngest son and I went out to do some photography. Since our time was limited we went to a place in the foothills of the North Cascades about a half hour away where we had seen and photographed a yard full of old vehicles and machinery. The place is not a junkyard, but appears to be private land on which a quite a number of these old vehicles are displayed without any attempt being made to protect them from the elements. The vehicles include old cars and trucks as well as old tractors, old logging and construction equipment, including an old steam shovel, old bulldozers and caterpillars, and old farm equipment. We would have asked permission but there seemed to be no one about and no one said anything about our being there and taking pictures, so we snapped away, though the day was a bit wet and gray. These are some of the pictures we took that afternoon. More pictures here: ronaldhanko-orchidhunter.blogspot.com/2011/01/derelict-ma...