Historic Columbia River Highway: Stone Mason’s Beauty

Beyond the Columbia River and the eye-catching majesty or the ‘Gorge’ rock formations, is the Historic Columbia River Highway. It parallels Interstate 84. It was hugely innovative in its day and one of my most enjoyable observations along that old highway is the stonework by Italian stone masons that is still quite evident today. 

The WyEast Blog provides a very informative review on the stone construction of the Scenic Highway entitled Stone Walls of the Columbia River Highway. One thing you don’t see as much is the vertical stacking of rocks in the construction.

If you have a historical bent for the history of road construction up the Gorge and how it influenced American road construction then you need to look at the site Historic Columbia River Highway for lots of history.

A Dog’s Love in Haiku

Emma’s beyond 10 years now. She snoozes more, has arthritis in her front knees, has had several surgeries, and her shedding is continuous. But life without her is kept from the mind’s eye. Such love and loyalty, such awareness of our moods, movements and expressions. As attuned as can be, unless she is snoozing.

Dog Haiku   

I lie belly-up

In the sunshine, happier than

You will ever be.

Today I sniffed

Many dog behinds-I celebrate

By kissing your face.

How do I love thee?

The ways are as numberless as

My hairs on the rug.

My human is home!

I am so ecstatic I have

Made a puddle.

Sleeping here, my chin On your foot-no greater bliss.

Look in my eyes and Deny it. No human could love you as much as I do.

I am your best friend,

Now, always, and especially

When you are eating. 

(author unknown-abridged)

No Name Creek Tumbles On

A no name creek, tumbling along, unknown to most. Much like many souls, daily tumbling through life unnoticed. (I was almost poetic there wasn’t I) Not labeled on a map, etching through a dense forest only recognized far below by a culvert that runs beneath a roadway to the mighty Columbia River.

(Mark O’Connor, Deep Pass Gorge)