A Tenacious Guide:
I was told if you have just a limited time in the Columbia River Gorge, that you should hire a guide. I had one day. I guess that's limited.
I went online and wrote to one. His name is Gary Randall, and he is an excellent photographer in his own right. He also knows the area like the proverbial back of his hand. He grew up there. He's a busy guy, so connecting and setting a date didn't come together until the day before I got there.
So, 24 hours before arrival was about the time I told my husband of my plan. Half seriously and half joking, I said, "Well, this is new. I'm going to spend the day alone, with some guy I found online and let him take me into the woods." My husband has a suspicious nature, so even after I explained that he is, in fact a licensed guide, we both knew this was new for me.....but was it smart?
Gary arrived in a jeep that he assured me ran well.....even if at first glance it looked like it might be past its expiration date. My husband kissed me good-bye and discretely took pictures of his car, his license plate and him. And conveniently mentioned that he was having lunch with the assistant chief of the Portland police department. I guess so if I go missing.
Let's think this through....that information would only be helpful after the fact???
No matter. Whew! Gary is a good guy.
I was able to photograph 6 waterfalls that day! Waterfalls were my only objective. On my own, I maybe would have gotten to two. But, now I know I have only scraped the surface of the beauty that exists there.
Gary told me stories like anyone native to the area would. He included all the "usta be" history. This usta be this and this usta be that. All in the same affable manor he interacted with everyone we met. His photography tips were very useful too! I suppose, all in all, everything you would expect from a good guide.
But somewhere around waterfall #3, he proved to be way more tenacious about photographing a waterfall than I would ever have expected. Half way up the trail a tree had fallen and completely blocked our way. No way around either. I would have given up and turned back. But, I would have been voted off of Survivor early.
No problem. Snap, snap, snap, snap…….snap, snap, snap,snap. No chain saw required.
Gary made a tunnel through the huge fallen tree, and presto, we were through!
Now that’s tenacity!
Thanks Gary
