Clouds hang low over Vancouver Island, while the rest of the area is quite sunny. Smelt Bay, Cortes Island, BC, Canada; May, 2014.

In the deepness that is an Egyptian tomb. Or not.  The Luxor Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada; October, 2012.

A rest stop for those who are 'dragon' their feet. Oregon Country Fair, Veneta, Oregon; July, 2013.

The top of the Tour Saint-Jacques on Rue de Rivoli in the 4th arrondissement. The tower is all that remains of the16th-century Church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie, and is open during tourist season to limited groups. Paris, France; September, 2013.

Angels harking away over the manger. Merry Christmas to all of you out there who celebrate that holiday. (Click the photo for more detail) The Grotto, Portland, Oregon; December, 2014.

The chapel just before the choir enters. (Click the photo for more detail) Chapel in The Grotto, Portland, Oregon; December, 2014.

Someone is taking a walk through the Festival of Lights. (Click on the photo for more detail). Portland, Oregon; December, 2014

A cascade of lights next to a cascade of water during the Festival of Lights at The Grotto. Portland, Oregon; December, 2014

And speaking of the French, we end our week of Black and White photos with this shot from the belfry of a Middle Ages castle prison that is still standing and now sees tourists rather than scoundrels. We'll be visiting it again in several months. Provins, France; September, 2013.

Snow pack was good, trees were covered, and there was no wind. Overall, a good day for some nordic skiing. High in the Cascade Mountains near Mt. Bachelor, Oregon; January, 2012.

French is the word at the Petite Provence, an excellent restaurant serving great fare. Portland, Oregon; September, 2014

Clouds hang out over Vancouver Island and the Sound between. Smelt Bay Provincial Park, Cortes Island, BC, Canada; April, 2013.

It's Black and White week here at the Grind! On a calm morning, balloonists take to the sky to see what they can see. (Click the photo for more detail) Redmond, Oregon; May, 2010.

One of the fountains at Place de la Concorde, looking north toward the Parthenon. (Click the photo for a better view) Paris, France; September, 2011.

A skater dude heads out--and likely down a very steep hill--after visiting the Vista House on a sunny, not very windy day. Crown Point, Oregon; June, 2014.

In a little cafe (very little) as the song goes, with an environmentally conscious roof. The interior has room for 2-count 'em, 2--tables, which is why all those tables are out there on the street. Portland, Oregon; June, 2014.

An area of contemplation and reflection sits peacefully along the east side shoreline. Cortes Island, BC, Canada; May, 2014.

The Yellowstone River winds its way through an open meadow. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming; August, 2014.

Dining al fresco on a rainy, rainy day near Les Halles. Paris, France; September, 2013.

It's actually a pretty quiet town when there aren't phalanx of hogs and biker babes around, including here at the Bank Saloon. Sturges, South Dakota; August, 2014.

A spider just hangin' out on its web in the backyard. (Click the photo for more detail) Clackamas, Oregon; October, 2014.

Pure gold: A 1940 Buick Special on display at a car show. (Click the photo for more detail) Madras, Oregon; August, 2011.

Brick row houses over a century and a half old still stand in great condition along the banks of the Potomac River. Alexandria, Virginia; March, 2014.