Mike had to go to Orofino this morning. (Orofino is my hometown -- 10 miles down the steep and winding, narrow Gilbert Grade from the old Dobson home place which we call the farm.) On the way into town we stopped in the park so that I could take pictures of the Clearwater River -- high and swift as the result of spring rains. Fortunately a levee system now keeps the river from flowing into the park and the low spots in the center of town.
These stairs ordinarily provide access to the river bank from the levee walkway between the park and the river. Now the water covers the bottom steps.
Turn left at the end of the bridge to go to Missoula (150 miles) or right to Lewiston (42 miles).
This picture was taken from the bridge looking back to the tree in the first photo.
One of the lawnmower tires wouldn't hold air, so we dropped it off at Les Schwab. We were there when I took this picture. Can you see the bare brown spot on the hill in the center of the photo? That spot is on the Gilbert Grade.
Then we went on to Napa Auto Parts where Mike was successful in finding a part he needed for the old lawnmower. Again, from that parking lot I took a picture of "the hills of home." You can see the same bare spot -- look hard.
It seemed warmer in Orofino than at the farm. Mike took his sweater off. The sun was shining in that interval of ti
me, but as we returned to the farm, dark clouds to the west rolled in and it commenced to pour. I took a few pictures anyway. Here fog drifts across the north field.
Darkness came over the yard. And that's the way it's been for the past week. We just think it's going to clear up, and another storm rolls through. KW
5 comments:
Sheesh! That river is HIGH...very dangerous, I'm sure.
Not a time to swim -- or go tubing.
Oh my goodness!! Those are amazing pictures, Kathy. Sure a good thing they have that levy now; I remember all the flooding Orofino used to have. But it looks like if it gets much higher, there may still be problems. You were brave to drive across the bridge with the water that high! It would make me woozy.
I didn't worry about crossing the bridge. I remember a time -- second or third grade -- when the National Guard took the kids that lived on Riverside home. I was impressed by that -- thought it was scary. Glad I lived in town. As far as present danger, I think it has probably crested.
When we were at the park during the class reunion, some kids were playing with a soccer ball. They missed the net and the ball went into the river--not as high as shown here, but high. One kid wanted to jump into the river, but several of us said not to. They got a long limb and went down the stairs to the tree and were able to guide the errant ball to shore. A good ending to what might have been tragic.
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