There’s something special about setting out before dawn when the skies are clear and the stars are out. That’s how my morning began as I left home on the first day of my autumn road trip. Little did I know that my early start would lead me through a series of ethereal landscapes. Layers of fog cloaked the familiar scenes, transforming them into something mysterious.
The First Stop: Ahlberg Park and the Historic Grays River Covered Bridge
As I left home in South Bend, patches of fog hugged the shoreline of Willapa Bay. My first morning stop was Ahlberg Park in Grays River, Washington. I arrived before the sun had risen above the surrounding hills. The light of the blue hour cast a soft glow over the misty landscape.
Ahlberg Park hosts the historic Grays River Covered Bridge. Built in 1905, the bridge is a scene from the past. It was still, and a feeling of history was ingrained within the wood of its beams. It looked like a natural, alive part of the landscape. Photographing this bridge allowed me to preserve a piece of history.
Nearby, a lone tree stood in a fog-blanketed pasture, its branches stretching into the mist. I had to capture this figure, unmoved against the blurry backdrop of the fog. Moments like these remind me of the beauty of quietness and the grounding force of nature.
Into the Forest: The Road Less Traveled
Leaving the park, I drove the narrow road back to Route 4. As I gained elevation, the fog cleared, giving way to clear skies and golden hour light. I stopped to capture the road as it disappeared into the dark embrace of the forest. Scenes like these remind me of the beauty of exploring the unknown, letting the road guide you even when you can’t see what lies ahead.
Solitary Trees in a Foggy Landscape
Further along, I discovered several more lone trees scattered across foggy fields. They stood in the mist, carrying their story, one by one, as if deep in thought. There is something special about a lone tree in an open area. When the opportunity presents itself, I stop and make a photograph. Unbothered by their loneliness, this is the elegance only nature portrays.
The View from Km Mountain
Continuing on Highway 4, I drove toward the top of Km Mountain with the Grays River Valley behind me. Near the top, I found a view of the fog-covered foothills. Waves of mist draped the landscape in soft layers, rolling through the valleys. The trees were dark and shadowed, while the fog was light and flowing together. It was a surreal scene. From this vantage point, I took my final images of the morning.
Reflections on a Foggy Morning
As I went further inland, the landscape returned to its usual clarity. But the pictures I shot that morning and the feeling of peace remained with me. Something about foggy conditions makes each scene a suspended moment. The mystery makes us think about what we cannot see or know. It’s a visual call to slow down and appreciate the beauty of nature in its subtlest forms.
This journey through Grays River reaffirmed why I love photographing landscapes. Each image is a piece of magic—a lone tree in the mist, a historic bridge, a shadowed forest road, and fog-draped hills. This series of images captures the story of place and time—the tranquil beauty of a foggy morning—a glimpse of nature’s power and grace.
Further Explorations:
Photographic Explorations of Altoona-Pillar Rock Road, Washington: Part 1
Photographic Explorations of Altoona-Pillar Rock Road, Washington: Part 2
