Week #50 - P52

The town I live in is located in Indian Valley (actually the only "town" in the valley)in the northern end of Union County.  Just a few miles to the south, the Grande Ronde Valley begins and Mt. Harris is the 5000+ ft mountain to the east. It's really quite close and accessible by narrow road.  Those of us who live here see Mt. Harris in all seasons and lights, with and without fog, clouds, and fresh snow.  (Mt. Harris has been featured in 3 additional choices this year, here, here, and here.)

P52 - Week #33

I live in Indian Valley, just north of the massive Grande Ronde Valley.  The Grande Ronde Valley is surrounded by mountains, 3 of which are named.  Closest to my home is Mt. Harris, on the east side.  I've photographed it in all seasons and under a variety of conditions, even from a point halfway up the south side of the mountain.  This time, I found a different perspective--a dirt road between wheat fields.

P52 - Week #26

Summer hasn't been the same this year...by that, I mean that we've had very few hot days. I suppose that's a positive in many ways, but after 4 months of snow, we're ready for some heat.  When hot days do come, we can generally count on a summer thunderstorm, as well.  The one in this photo rolled in from the southeast, moving across the Grande Ronde Valley, skirting Mt. Fanny and Mt. Harris (foreground).

I'm caught up with my P52 weekly images...and this is rodeo week!  There are photo opportunities galore.

P52 - Week #21 Hardy Road

One advantage of living in a rural area is the opportunity to travel multiple country roads that take one to all corners.  I have driven many of them multiple times; visiting during the different seasons provides the variety. One road is Hardy Road, so named because much of the land bordering the road is owned by members of the Hardy family. It's a dead-end road, so driving in also means turning around at the end and driving back the same direction.  No loop road here.  The yellow lupine was in full bloom, as was the arrowleaf balsamroot.  Probably the main attraction on this road, other than the late spring bloom, is a very old Ford pickup, maybe from the 1930's.  The last date on the license plate is 1947, and I know it has been sitting in that field for a very long time, subject to all the elements.   Another big attraction this county road provides is a beautiful view of the mountains at the far south end of neighboring Grande Ronde Valley, with Mt. Harris and Mt. Emily in between.

P52 - Week #21

The dry bank beside the road was loaded with lupine and balsamroot blossoms; I acquired my first (and I hope only) tick of the season by crawling around with my camera.

The ancient Ford pickup; 1934 sticks in my mind, but I would have to confirm that with the owner. (The pickup is a 1927 model.)

The view south, Mt. Harris on the left and Mt. Emily on the far right--"guardians" of the north end of the Grande Ronde Valley.

 Mt. Harris

Most probably the Elkhorn Mountains in the distance.  Indian Valley and the Grande Ronde Valley are hidden by hills.

Week #8 P52

This is the valley of my home for 43 years. It's called "Indian Valley," and is bordered on the south by the huge Grande Ronde Valley (in the background).  That mountain that sits on the border between the two valleys is called Mt. Harris, which is more than 5000 feet in elevation.  The lower elevation to the right of Mt. Harris is Pumpkin Ridge.

The only town in Indian Valley is Elgin, population 1750.  It is located at the left center below Mt. Harris. To the west and north are the Blue Mountains which are part of the Umatilla National Forest.  (I have photographed this scene other times in other seasons.)