It was a cool 52 degrees with gray skies when I left Kennewick at 0750 this morning. I had dressed warm but not warm enough and my legs quickly got numb as the “bike chill factor” lowered that 52. On the way to Yakima i drove through an area that produces almost half of the world’s HOPS! One of the photos below shows the staking and wire system that the hops vines grow along. But there are miles and miles of these fields!
It was 59 degrees by the time I got to Yakima at 1000 and although I wasn’t expecting him to be in at that time, Ken Whitmire was indeed already in! For those of you who don’t know, Ken is the most amazing, giving, friendly, outgoing, incredible portraitist in North America – although he would probably pass that honor on. The photographic industry, specifically as it relates to Wall Portraiture, probably owes more to Ken than any other living person. Many years ago he decided that someone had to pass on the art of wall portraiture to the next generations of image makers as the master painters had done in the past. No one else seemed to see the necessity so Ken began holding the Wall Portrait Conference and although he is several years into being an octogenarian he just finished another one last week. He has trained many of us and we are now attempting to pass on his teachings as well.
After I left Ken I headed south to the Columbia River and the headed west on the Washington side of the Gorge towards Portland, Oregon and then on to the Pacific Coast. The miles through the Gorge were not pleasant although on a brighter day I’m certain the scenery would have been amazing. The rain came and came horizontally, driven by a strong, cold, north westerly wind and I quickly put on my rain gear, plugged in my electric jacket liner and cranked ‘er up. Just when I started to think that things weren’t so bad the hail started and I knew it was just gonna be one of those days. But the thoughts of my conversation with Ken kept a smile on my face because I knew without him I would not be riding on a Harley in Washington in the cold rain and hail – life is grand:)
As I got close to my motel I drove by an area filled with reddish colored flowers but I have no idea what they are. Almost looks like some type of grass for hay but with a wonderful color. The closer I got to my motel the windier and foggier it got so I was very glad to arrive and find a pub right next door!! Good night All!!
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