Remember Me
Ponytail Falls - Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Spring ferns and leaves frame Ponytail Falls in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon.
With all of the hiking I’ve done in the Columbia River Gorge, I have walked past Ponytail Falls more than any other waterfall. It’s not a far jaunt up the trail from Horsetail Falls, the roadside waterfall that causes traffic jams as visitors stop their vehicles in the middle of the road, arms hanging out of the window to get a snapshot before continuing on, and there’s no doubt that in the past five years the visitation to this falls has dramatically increased leaving little opportunity for solitude. But it’s always been one of my favorites. When I first started exploring the gorge, my go-to hike was Triple Falls. I’d start at the Horsetail Falls trailhead, head past Ponytail Falls, Oneonta Falls, and scramble down to Middle Oneonta Falls. From there I would continue on to Triple Falls, crossing the bridge upstream where I would have lunch in what was, at the time, a place that I considered to be one of the greenest, most fairytale places I’d ever seen. A gentle creek offered a calming soundtrack while I sat on mossy logs and and soaked it all in. It astounded me that I lived in a place where I could walk past five waterfalls in just over a five mile hike. I was in heaven! The trail even went behind Ponytail Falls which was a pretty big deal to this east coast kid. As my hiking experience grew, the Russ Jolley Trail and the Rock of Ages Trail were my go-to hikes, which also took me past Ponytail Falls before I would scramble up either side of the creek on the steep user trails, disappearing from the crowds to get my physical, mental, and emotional exercise.
When I was battling alcoholism I did those hikes several times a week. Being that they were so close and not all that long (2-4 miles each) meant that I could whisk myself away into an enchanted world where I knew that I was safe, a place that I knew everything made sense and had order. I’d find strength in those forests. I’d find life.
It’s hard to swallow sometimes, knowing that those user trails, forests, mosses, branches, rocks, and everything else that made the gorge wonderful and unique have likely been lost in the Eagle Creek Fire, or they have at least been greatly altered in a way that just won’t be the same to me. I know that the gorge is still a special place and that it will heal itself with little regard to my feelings on the matter. Nature does what it does. Yet I can’t help but hold those memories dear in the deepest recesses of my soul. I will cherish them until the day I die and when I think back upon them I will see this view of Ponytail Falls and envision turning this corner on the trail to head behind the water, knowing that serenity was well on its way. Photo © copyright by TJ Thorne.
Artist Studio Print • Ready to Frame
As an independent artist, I take immense pride in personally overseeing my entire creative process, from capturing the images to meticulously crafting the final prints. This hands-on approach enables me to present my work in the most authentic and exceptional manner possible, ensuring that each print meets the standards of my artistic vision. By choosing an Artist Studio Print, you not only acquire a piece of art but also invest in the dedication and passion that goes into every photograph that I create.
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- Printed on heavy-weight, cotton-based, archival Canson Infinity paper using pigment-based inks.
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Please note that these prints require framing before display. I am happy to work with you on your framing needs. Please contact me to do so. For ready-to-hang options, please consider my Lumachrome Acrylic Face Mounted or Chromaluxe Metal Prints.
Shipping is included to locations within the United States. Please contact me for a shipping quote if you will have your purchase shipped elsewhere. To learn more about my prints, please visit my Prints page.
Please allow 1-3 weeks for production and delivery.
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Lumachrome Fine Art Prints • Acrylic Face-Mounted and Ready to Hang
Premium Fine Art Lumachrome Prints are the epitome of elegance and quality. By face mounting the print to 1/8" thick scratch-resistant, non-reflective crystal clear acrylic and backing it with a protective surface and a 1.3" rear mounted frame, the print seemingly floats from the wall.
The proprietary Lumachrome process in combination with the acrylic facing gives a depth, dimensionality, and glow to the image which is unmatched and needs to be seen to believed. These pieces are museum quality, absolutely stunning, and truly a collectors piece.
Premium Fine Art Lumachrome Prints are ideal for galleries or private homes and with the proper lighting will take on a luminance that brings the photo to life. While these ready-to-hang pieces offer a modern, sleek, and clean appearance, traditional framing is also available and can be discussed one-on-one to pick the most appropriate frame for your piece.
Shipping is included to locations within the United States. Please contact me for a shipping quote if you will have your purchase shipped elsewhere. To learn more about my prints, please visit my Prints page.
Please allow 2-4 weeks for production and delivery
Need a size that's not listed? Not a problem. Simply contact me for a quote to get started.
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Chromaluxe Fine Art Metal Prints • Ready to Hang
If you are looking for a piece that combines durability with a modern and elegant look, I offer Premium Fine Art Metal Prints. Using a state-of-the-art process, the image is infused directly into the surface of specially coated aluminum which creates a scratch and fade resistant piece that is ready to hang without a frame.
Metal prints contain a tremendous amount of depth, detail, and sharpness that will be sure to draw the viewer in. Since the image is fused directly into the aluminum, the resulting piece is scratch and water resistant and will resist fading or yellowing over time while at the same time being easy to clean. These are the ideal for offices and public spaces due to their durability.
Shipping is included to locations within the United States. Please contact me for a shipping quote if you will have your purchase shipped elsewhere. To learn more about my prints, please visit my Prints page.
Please allow 2-4 weeks for production and delivery.
Need a size that's not listed? Not a problem. Simply contact me for a quote to get started.
Select a print size:
Shipping is included to locations within the United States. Please contact me for a shipping quote if you will have your purchase shipped elsewhere. To learn more about my Limited Edition Fine Art Prints, please visit my Prints Page