In general, things are sorted with the newest items near the tops of albums and galleries.
Located in the southwest Portland area, this system of wetlands and waterways along the Tualatin River is a refuge in many senses of the word.
Butte Creek Falls is an often overlooked pair of waterfalls about 30 minutes drive from Silverton, Oregon in the low western foothills of the Oregon Cascades.
The Willamette Valley has a number of great places to explore - parks, preserves, farms, small towns and more.
Silver Falls State Park is in the lower foothills of the Oregon Cascades, about 30 miles east of Salem, OR on hwy 214.
Now a suburb of Portland, Hillsboro has a history of its own, from pristine native land, to settled farms, and later a boom of technology.
This Linn County Park is located just south of Sweet Home in the western foothills of the Oregon Cascades.
Eugene, Oregon is home to an eclectic mix of the elite, the rural, and the outcasts. It's also home to a number of delightful natural areas.
Fernhill Wetlands is a 700 acre area of managed flood ponds, wetlands and trails. It's a magnet for birds and birders, as well as anyone who pines for a smell of nature close to the city.
Located near the confluence of the Willamette and Santiam Rivers, Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1965 as part of the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex. There are miles of trails and boardwalks in and around wetlands, forests and meadows.
Established in 1964, the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge is over 5000 acres of wetlands and forest in the heart of the Willamette Valley near Corvallis.
Fern Ridge Reservoir is just west of Eugene, Oregon. Parts of the surrounding wetlands and waterways are included in the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area, administered by the Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife.
The Willamette Valley is home to numerous nurseries with all kinds of specialties. Some of these have display gardens, or simply good places to catch a view. Then there are places like the Oregon Garden, which is a showcase for all the lush beauty growing in this fertile valley.
Willamette Mission State Park has a mix of history and nature. It's home to the first western settlement along the banks of the Willamette River, and today is an expansive preserved natural area with trails, camps and more.
Champoeg State Heritage Area is a site along the Willamette River where the first provisional government of Oregon was formed. It's also a window to Oregon's natural past - a mix of forest, meadows and wetlands.
If you want to get above it all, there's no classier way than floating in a balloon through the still morning air.
These may be photos of a Civil War re-enactment in Lebanon, Oregon... or they may be photos from the actual Civil War.. not sure.
St. Paul is a small town in the middle of the Willamette Valley. The annual rodeo on July 4th is a big draw.
How good is your sheep dog? well, here is where you pit your team's skills against all comers. The dogs run the show!