Mt. Hood rises above the high desert on a recent trip back to the old stomping grounds. (Click the photo for a better view) On the reservation of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs; June, 2014.

During the 1800s and early part of the 1900s, the Canal du Nivernais was the route used to get timber from the eastern part of the country down to Paris and the ports along the sea. now, it's a bucolic float for tourists who rent canal boats, or who bring their own. Somewhere in Burgundy, France; Septemeber, 2009.

Big difference in being back on the west side of the Cascades after 35 years in the high desert is that there is plenty more green and water. Horsetail Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon; April, 2012.

Another great off the beaten path destination is out in the high desert of central Oregon, where lots can be discovered. The Stratton House. Fort Rock, Oregon; June, 2012.

The largest ferry fleet in the world is BC Ferries, and for the most part, they do it with class (take that Black Ball Ferry). While coming back from our semi-annual meditation retreat, we took this beauty. A Canadian asked how we got this shot with no people in it, and the reply was that it was very windy and chilly on the top deck. Somewhere between Nanaimo and Tswassen, BC, Canada; May, 2014.

It's no secret that we here at the Grind tend to be Francophiles, so it should come as no surprise that we frequent a local French patisserie for breakfast at least once a month. Last time we were there, we snagged this photo of still life at the entrance. Happy Valley, Oregon; June, 2014.

The inner courtyard of the Louvre at night is open to the public and not only is it gorgeous, but lots happens there, too. (Click the photo to see the models posing for a photo shoot) Paris, France; September, 2011.

Vista House at Crown Point on a sunny day (for a change!). Columbia River Gorge, Oregon; June, 2014.

The day comes to a bucolic end along the Sound, (Click the photo to see the sun expanded through the overcast) Navarre, Florida; April, 2014.

Getting off the beaten path not only means fewer people to deal with, but also finding things one might not otherwise have a chance to see or experience. When driving up Vancouver Island, taking the old island highway is slower, but also offers lots of cool experiences. Cowichan Bay, BC, Canada; April, 2014. 

A tiger lily in the wild discovered while hiking down to Bridal Veil Falls. (Click the photo for more detail) Columbia River Gorge, Oregon; June, 2014.

Clouds hang over the Pont Neuf. Although "Pont Neuf" is translated as "new bridge" it is actually the oldest bridge in the city spanning the Seine. It was completed in 1607. Paris, France; September, 2013.

A trio of newly-arrived aliens pose prior to participating in the annual UFO Festival. McMinnville, Oregon; May, 2014.

Let's leaf through this gate. (Click the photo for much more detail) Hollyhock Retreat Centre, Cortes Island, BC, Canada; May, 2014.

Coming from the belly of the beast. (Click the photo for a better gander at those teeth) Near the entrance to Sharkhead's Gift Shop, Biloxi, MIssissippi; April, 2014

The bee does its job as the season has changed to lots of flora in our area. As I understand it, each worker bee lives about 37 days, never sleeps, and it takes over 600 bees to make one 8 ounce jar of honey. Remember that next time you're sweetening your tea. Clackamas, Oregon; May, 2014.

Fans of the international hit movie Amélie will recognize this as a lock on the Canal St. Martin, in which Amélie would skip rocks while she thought about things. Paris, France; September, 2013.

The air was still, the day was warm; both are near perfect conditions for this particular drive northward. (Click the photo for a better view of the house) Along Hood Canal, Washington; April, 2014.

Regular Grinders know that one of our two favorite new bands is the California Honeydrops. They were in town late last week and we spent a late night with them at Mississippi Studios. (Click the photo for a better view) Portland, Oregon; May, 2014.

Down a little alley in the older, artistic part of town. Victoria, BC, Canada; April, 2014.

One of the clients of the company for whom I work is the Armed Forces Retirement Home, which is basically a geriatric residential facility where vets can live out the remainder of their lives. There are two of them and the last time I was at one to do some training of their staff, I snagged this shot of military sabers as a wall decoration. (Click the photo for more detail) Gulfport, Mississippi; April, 2014.