Category: Destinations

places to visit and locations for photography

The Enchantments – Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Posted on October 25, 2010January 20, 2013 by Greg Vaughn

[caption id="attachment_419" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Alpine larch trees at Perfection Lake in The Enchantments.[/caption] On a beautiful early October morning I stood with a 40-pound pack on my back at the bottom of Aasgard Pass and exclaimed "O.M.G.!" Twice. Once for...Read More

National Wilderness Month

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Greg Vaughn

[caption id="attachment_411" align="aligncenter" width="420" caption="Wildflower meadow, Mount Adams Wilderness, Washington."][/caption] September is National Wilderness Month, so proclaimed by President Obama. I've had the good fortune to hike and backpack in several wilderness areas recently, and firmly believe that our federally...Read More

Bangkok and Chiang Mai named Best Cities

Posted on August 18, 2010December 8, 2011 by Greg Vaughn

[caption id="attachment_405" align="aligncenter" width="343" caption="Young Thai woman in traditional costume at Siam Niramit in Bangkok."][/caption] The readers of Travel + Leisure magazine have voted Bangkok as their favorite city in the world. I had the opportunity to visit Thailand earlier...Read More

McKenzie Pass Highway

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Greg Vaughn

[caption id="attachment_397" align="aligncenter" width="297" caption="Lava field at McKenzie Pass"][/caption] The Old McKenzie Pass Highway, OR 242, has opened for the summer after snow plows were finally able to clear both lanes of the road. This part of the McKenzie Pass...Read More

Hamoa Beach, Maui

Posted on July 13, 2010 by Greg Vaughn

[caption id="attachment_387" align="aligncenter" width="420" caption="Hamoa Beach on Maui's Hana Coast."][/caption] Each year for the past twenty years, Professor Stephen Leatherman, aka "Dr. Beach", names what he thinks are the best beaches in the United States. I don't think there's ever...Read More

Photographing Oregon chosen travel book of the year

Posted on July 4, 2010 by Greg Vaughn

The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), recently honored the best books in 50 categories at the 22nd Annual Benjamin Franklin Awards™ in New York City prior to the BookExpo America tradeshow. Photographing Oregon was named best book of the year...Read More

Take a hike! National Trails Day

Posted on June 3, 2010 by Greg Vaughn

[caption id="attachment_371" align="aligncenter" width="333" caption="Spray Park Trail, Mt. Rainier National Park."][/caption] Saturday, June 5, is National Trails Day, so let's get out there and take a hike! This annual celebration of hiking and walking trails was started in 1993 by...Read More

Rhody season

Posted on June 2, 2010 by Greg Vaughn

[caption id="attachment_365" align="aligncenter" width="420" caption="Rhododendron blossom, Cascade Mountains, Oregon"][/caption] It's rhododendron season in the Pacific Northwest. Depending on location and elevation, these beautiful evergreen shrubs bloom from April through June in the western regions of northern California, Oregon, Washington and...Read More

Mount Saint Helens Eruption 30th Anniversary

Posted on May 6, 2010 by Greg Vaughn

[caption id="attachment_358" align="aligncenter" width="333" caption="Mount Saint Helens from Johnston Ridge."][/caption] This month marks the 30th anniversary of the eruption of Mount Saint Helens. On May 18, 1980 the volcano literally blew its top, spewing ash into the sky and causing...Read More

Bangkok, Thailand photos

Posted on April 7, 2010 by Greg Vaughn

[caption id="attachment_341" align="aligncenter" width="420" caption="Young Buddhist monks visiting Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, in Bangkok, Thailand."][/caption] My trip to Thailand was packed with visits to markets and temples, tourist attractions and local neighborhoods. A multitude of...Read More