To the Dry Side

Life west of the Cascade Mountains is moss (it grows everywhere!), moisture and moderation: it rarely gets really hot or cold. Crossing to the east side of those mountains changes vegetation, climate and the view; the very air feels different. We like to visit those arid places, but I'm always happy to return to the velvet of the west.

Returning this blog to our travels of last summer, we now leave the verdant side behind, watching Mount Rainier settle into the horizon as we head east.  We made a brief stop at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park, near Vantage, Washington to acclimatize to our new environment.

 Perched above the Columbia River, we find this park rocks!

Petrified:

and art:

Because this was a brief stopover and because the air was oppressive, we didn't take the hiking trail to see more examples of petrified wood.  Another time.