A Born Again Oregonian

The past two months spent traveling around Europe has reinforced my sense that I am an Oregon boy through and through. The magificent architecture of Europe is no match to the natural monuments I have grown up worshiping. Shorties beach is one of those earthly Meccas. Descending the old-growth lined passage that leads to the sandy cove is perhaps the closest thing I will ever come to a religioius pilgrimage. A few friends and I spent the last day of 2005 at Shorties climbing rocks, racing tides, leaping streams and wrestling with the white water. My friend D was visiting from Amsterdam and took these pictures.