“I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”
― Nelson Mandela
This week our Challenge host writes, “I bet you love your area too. What are your local vistas? Where do you photograph when you don’t have a lot of time or are not on vacation? What about your hometown excites you? Is it the countryside, city, gardens, amusement venues? This week, tell us about and show us your local vistas.”
I am deeply in love with my local Place – Oregon. I have only lived here (almost) two years, and I have much yet to explore. But the fact that the Pacific Ocean is only an hour’s drive from my front door is a huge selling point. The impact of the Ocean is not to be taken lightly. It helps create the Temporal Rainforest conditions that make the Western portion of this state wet, green, fecund and utterly amazing. I pinch myself regularly when I realize that I am not on vacation – I live here!
My response to the spectacular scenery in this place is to feel a deep and anxious desire to protect it from degradation and educate others about its wonders. I spent this morning in volunteer training at a National Wildlife Refuge an hour away from my front door in a different direction, in the Willamette River valley. I have yet to bring my camera to that Refuge to capture the upland meadow flowers, including show-stopping lupines, that have been lovingly stewarded, but below is a gorgeous marsh in the valley refuge chain that is only a 15-minute drive from my home.
“For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”
― Jacques-Yves Cousteau
scillagrace 
Loved that Mandela quote and your closing message this week Priscilla. I love the area you’ve moved to and have visited it often. It’s a wonderful place to live and I’m so glad you’re joining in the effort to preserve its beauty.
Thanks, Tina! Your connection to your local ecosystem is always inspiring to me, and your photos of the place show the tenderness that it holds in your heart. 🙂
What a beautiful post, Priscilla. I love your quote from Mandela and your thoughts about protecting the environment.
Thanks, Patti! 🙂
Beautiful photos! You are only 15 min drive to the gorgeous marsh in the valley refuge, wow…
The last image is my favorite.
Thanks, Amy. Yes, I am literally surrounded by natural beauty with very little human development around. My own mailbox is .7 miles away down a winding valley where a creek runs. I’m indeed fortunate!
Envious…
I hope to travel north from California to visit Oregon. The coastal area is calling my name. Thanks for sharing your photographs. My favorite one is the closest to your home, the marshland.
I think it’s well worth leaving CA (I lived there for 15 years) to visit Oregon. 🙂
The Oregon coast is simply beautiful and thank you for taking us there. What I appreciate most is your love for your home and its surroundings. Great reply for this post Priscilla!
Thanks, Anne! 🙂
Dear Priscilla, This is your Aunt Sandy responding to your regular posting. The locale for your message matches the Oregon area that my 8th-grade class chose as its ideal location for its imaginary community…to be studied in our Civics class. (We called our community Twin River, Oregon.) Now that I’m 85 yrs old, I shall get to see what the actual location looks like! Best wishes to you, and happy memories of my beloved sister Anne Louise. with love, your Aunt Sandy (Taylor) …nee McFarland
Hello, dear Aunt Sandy! Thank you for visiting my blog. I do miss little messages here from my First Fan, my beloved Mom. Are you planning a visit to Oregon? It is a marvel, this state. I’m so glad I live here!