Soul Food
Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
Twilight falls across cliffs flanking the Crooked River in Smith Rock State Park, Oregon.
It had been awhile since I had seen the sun. Not literally.. but kind of.
Here in Portland we live under a damp blanket for about 4-5 months of the year. The clouds start to roll in during September(ish) and then it rains more often than not until March or April. It's not a heavy rain, but more like a mist that you can walk through and not get wet. I don't mind it at all and I like to reference the quote of Roger Miller "Some people feel the rain, others just get wet." I'm a 'feeler'.
But I do miss the sun. The shorter days and overcast skies require the taking of vitamin D supplements and if you don't keep up on them depression can set in, motivation disappears, and lethargy takes whatever is left.
I love the high desert. The smell of sagebrush and juniper, to me, are THE official scent of the great outdoors. It brings a wave of comfort over me like those great memories of my childhood do. I was hesitant to make the three hour drive to Smith Rock knowing that I had to drive back that same night and wake early the next morning. But as soon as I opened the car door and that smell rushed in, I knew it was the right decision.
I didn't have a lot of time to scout for compositions. I ran down to the river to shoot the fading sunlight, but with the water level being really high, I decided that I would try for a twilight shot from the canyon rim. I took in the views and scents as the shadows fell across the land while working some compositions from up here accompanied by my friend Bruce. Conversations about life past, present, and future and the hope that surrounded the topics were the perfect antidote to the dreary months I had just endured.
I drove back to Portland in the dark high on life and with a fire in my soul. I love where I live. Photo © copyright by TJ Thorne.