Winter Scenes in Oregon

Last weekend, I stayed at a fine motel in Yachats, about halfway up (down) the Oregon coast. The room was only a few yards from the surf, and there is a great coastal trail that winds along the shoreline for a couple miles...perfect for a stroll.
On Monday morning there was a brisk offshore wind blowing, bringing sunshine and throwing spray off the breakers. I need to explore this section of the coast more. When growing up in Portland, we usually didn't come this far south when going to the beach; now, living in California, I often don't come this far north up the shoreline. But it's quite spectacular along the central OR coast, well worth a little extra driving.
At lower elevations in late February, spring is starting in Oregon...cherry trees are in bloom. But up in the mountains, it's still serious winter. This is the road to Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood. Actually, for this time of year the snowpack is not large at all; in a good year the snow would be up to the top of the poles.

The high Cascades are a snow empire in winter. The crystals pile up by the feet, cloaking the landscape with a thick shroud of white. The forest assumes a pristine look. On a snowy day the only prominent colors are white, green, and gray.

The lower slopes of the mountain are covered in rainforest. Here, at only 1500 feet, most precipitation is rain...80 to 100 inches of it. This is a moss empire. It's ghostly and beautiful.

The Oregon countryside is quiet in February. At lower elevations temperatures are mild, and good, uncrowded exploring is possible. I found this covered bridge on a side road near Alsea, in the Coast Range between Waldport and Corvallis.