Traveling

Traveling is something I have always liked. Yet, there is something to be said about lazing ... it always feels different and sometimes restful to comeback to "home-base". A fortnight back I took a road trip from eastern Washington state to the Pacific coast till the California redwood country.

Between the inevitable pitfalls of taking a 2000 mile trip and the 'sad' weather that that you chance upon, there was a lot to be seen. The Oregon Pacific coast is particularly beautiful with dense forests and breathtaking seascapes. I got to see sea-cliffs, rocky shores, a panoply of marine life, and generally enjoyed the unshackling from day-to-day work.

I traveled with an old friend from my college days. Probably for him too this was the longest trip of any sorts in his 6 year stay in the US. Our drive across Washington and Oregon (primarily) also allowed us the chance to see the variety of terrain that the US Pacific northwest offers. A list of sorts follows:

Palouse short grass prairie (South-eastern WA)
Semi arid scablands (South-central WA)
Volcanic mountains and temperate sub-boreal rainforests (Central Cascades in WA/OR)
Temperate coastal evergreen rainforests (OR/CA Pacific coast)
Alpine / sub-alpine forests (South Cascades, West-central OR)
Semi-arid scrublands (East of Cascades, Central OR)
Alpine / sub-alpine forests (North-eastern OR)

The geography of OR is perhaps one of the most varied among the states in the lower 48. It pretty much has everything ! The state is a nature photographers paradise !
The canyon lands in the northeast of OR are extensive and Hells Canyon on the Snake river on the OR/ID border are the deepest in the whole of the US ... though the access to the place is fairly limited for motor vehicles. Trail access is extensive, mostly following the old trails of the Nez Perce Native peoples.

Some photos are being put up here (as they are processed)
http://picasaweb.google.com/kachra.dabba/ORCAWATrip#

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In general the central business districts of most US cities are fairly similar. This weekend I am going to San Fransisco to meet my sister / bro' in law. I have heard much about the city, and its picturesque vicinity. Let us reserve judgment !