You really do need to click on this photo to enlarge it and see the incredible artistic detail someone's effort created. This is a corner of the ceiling in one of the myriad rooms of the Louvre. Paris, France; September, 2015.

Artisans, obviously using the materials at hand, created a completed stoned-out building a very long time ago. Probably some relative of Bill Gates, since they used Windows.  Cottonwood, Arizona; May, 2010.

Horsetail Falls on a very cold day amid a very cold week. (Click the photo to be a better look at the ice frozen on the side of the cliff). Columbia River Gorge area, Oregon; January, 2016.

This is what life was like before dishwashers. Automated dishwashers, that is. Fort Rock, Oregon; June, 2015.

As Autumn spins its magic, sunlight falls through the forest casting shadows and illuminating colors. (Click the photo for a better view) Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon; October, 2013.

One of the highlights of our lives was getting away from it all and traveling to an exotic and foreign local to rent a canal boat and enjoy the quiet and serenity. Canal du Nivernaise, Burgundy, France; September, 2009.

Here's another shot we snagged of the Chapel of the Holy Cross. This is a special place, so if you're ever in the neighborhood, make it a point to stop by and revel in its aura. You won't be disappointed. Sedona, Arizona; May, 2010.

Despite the fact there are those here in the US (and right now here in Oregon) who want to return all Federal lands into private hands, we here at the Grind rather value the fact the government has set aside those places which we value, such as this place. Grand Tetons National Park, Wyoming; August, 2014.

Colored leaves on trees is one way to tell that Fall has arrived. Here's another one. (Click the photo for more detail) Portland, Oregon; October, 2014.

Just another example of some of the interesting things one can find by simply pulling off the Interstate to a a leisurely look around. Durkee, Oregon; August, 2014.

Here's a view of the Eiffel Tower many people don't get to see, looking straight up into it. Also. most people cannot really fathom how huge this thing is until standing underneath it. Notice those new curved areas in the middle on the bottom deck, glass floors put in during last year's remodel. Paris, France; September, 2015.

Oneota Gorge tunnel. We confess that we've been by it several times and never noticed it before. This time we did. (Click on the photo for a better view) Columbia River Gorge, Oregon; January, 2016.

More Buddhas of the West at Tlaquepaque Artist Village. Sedona, Arizona; May, 2010.

One of Fr. Juniper Sierra's creations: the altar at Mission San Louis Obispo. San Louis Obispo, California; May, 2015.

Multnomah Falls on an icy day. It's gets icier, but this is still icy. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon; January, 2016.

Strike a pose! One thing you can say about the French is they really do architecture spectacularly. (Click the photo for more detail) Along the La Promenade Plantée, Paris, France; September, 2013.

Boot Hill yard art. We aren't so sure we'd do that in the front of our house, but different strokes. Crooked River Ranch, Oregon; October, 2015.

It's not all that often these days that one runs across a split rail fence, but they can, on occasion, be found. Camp Sherman, Oregon; October, 2015.

Here's another in our occasional series Lines, Light, Textures, and Colors. A brand new bridge over the Willamette River accessibly only to mass rail transit, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Portland, Oregon; October, 2015.

There's beauty galore in the country, and peacefulness, too, if one only slows down and observes, goes slow and seeks it out. Balance Rock, Arches National Park, Moab, Utah; May, 2015.

Wave goodbye to the year of old and wave hello to the New Year. Taken on a sunny day along the Seine, Paris France; September, 2015.