Leavenworth Drive Report

Last weekend I rode across Stevens Pass to find some great photo ops along the Tumwater Canyon outside of Leavenworth Washington. It was a great photo op with cloudy skies and a bit of fog - the lack of sun meant no shadows or high contrast situation to deal with. Unfortunately I didn't have time to stop and take proper photos. 

So I returned a week later in the cage with my lovely bride and the dog. 

Near Stevens Pass. Obviously it was not an ideal day to be on the motorcycle so taking the cage was a good decision. The caption for this photo is, "Hey I thought this as a fall colors drive report." Welcome to Washington in late October.



Odd contrast......



About 25 miles east of Stevens Pass



I found a parking lot in Tumwater Canyon and walked around trying to find a few photo ops. 



For this trip I brought my Canon DSLR two lens, graduated neutral density filters and tripod.









The Wenatchee River. The sun was out creating a high contrast so I used my filters in attempt to minimize contrast.







This great scenery is can be seen while riding the motorcycle along Hwy 2. Nice!















I want to return some year when there is fog like I experienced a week ealier.





We went to Leavenworth for lunch and then for a walk along the Wenatchee River.







Time to go home. We go over Blewett Pass and it starts raining in Cle Elum where we get on I-90 for the slog back to Seattle. Slog is the right word for it rained very hard nearly all the way, so hard the freeway speed was reduced to 55 due to standing water. Another good reason to bring the cage on a typical fall day in late October

Cacade Fall Colors PT 2

The idea for this ride is a continuation of the theme get it while you can. The weather is closing in fast in Western Washington but Sunday was a great day for a riding some of the high mountain passes. We bagged Steven’s, Blewett, Chinook and Cayuse Passes today. We road the route clockwise route because only damn fools would brave Hwy 2 traffic on Sunday afternoon.

I was off to meet riding buddies in Monroe. There was some low clouds a bit of fog and a great sunrise. I even got a few pictures. Imagine that.



Not a great photo but it does show the nice sunrise.


The scene going across the Snohomish River on Hwy 522 was jaw dropping. I should have turned around to stop and take a good photo.






Save the best sunrise pic for last.


Stop in Monroe to pickup a couple of friends. The sunrise was gone but the light was still messing with the clouds.


I was riding shotgun. You can see the tips of the mountain peaks above the road in this photo.




Near Index, Washington.


Approaching Stevens Pass.


This photos is burred and I kind of like it that way as it add to the realism.


Nice fall colors.


And a little fog and it was spectacular. The lack of sun made photography easy. No high contrast or shadows and the trees were the focus of all the color. A very unique day.


Nice....


No fall color but I like the perspective of this photo.


Along Tumwater Canyon along Hwy 2. Let’s just say I am going back here on the next foggy day to just take pictures. It was really nice. I should have stopped but we had a long day ahead of us and I only had my pocket camera.










Not to shabby for moving down the road.....




We go over Blewett Pass and then to Yakima and Naches. Along the way to Chinook Pass on Hwy 410 fall fun foto opportunities reappear.


Near Nile Road.










Climbing back into clouds near Chinook Pass.








Brian at Chinook Pass taking photos of Mt. Rainier.


The trip ends with a couple of fall fotos of Mt. Rainer.


This one includes all the clouds.