The Mountain Loop Highway, just a short distance to the north of our home, has become one of my favorite hangouts.  A perfect place to get away from today’s fast paced world and to sit by the spectacular Stillaguamish River surrounded by grand mountains and majestic trees.  The sound of the river is enough to clear my mind, the crisp and fragrant air enough to fill my lungs with pure deliciousness.

As many times as I have been here I just can’t get enough of the place.  Photographically speaking the region, specifically the southern portion of “The Loop” along the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River, has yielded a solid body of work that I’m overjoyed to have.  It has become a personal project that gives me much satisfaction…and I hope to continue returning as long as I’m here.

With that said, it was a somber moment to hear a week ago, that just a few miles to the north along the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River, part of the same Mountain Loop Highway, the little settlement of Oso was destroyed by a massive landslide that took many lives with it.  Much time has been spent reflecting on what happened and it remains incomprehensible.  A tragedy so close to home…the area will never be the same.  But in the words of the survivors, there is hope and great things are to come.  Our hearts go out to the folks of Oso….