If tours are offered to golfers, fishermen and musicians, why not photographers? As a rule, these groups are strictly limited to 8 or fewer avid photographers and their gear . . . tripods, camera bodies and lenses etcetera. The vehicle is generally a 15 passenger van into which all of the above fits, and with seats to spare somewhat magically.

My expedition was with Photographer / Leader John Baker of Travel Images [P. O. Box 2434, Eagle, Idaho 83616. Toll free 1.800.325.8320]. Many photography magazines list such tours with often well-known Leaders, and to destinations all over the world.

The virtue of such an excursion is this; If any member of the group sees sufficient inspiration for a photograph other than those frequently made, he or she may request a ‘photo stop’ - something the larger tour buses never do. These are very serious amateur photographers who, in sharing this common interest, can be depended on to be a most congenial group.

The Needles and Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Oregon 

THE UNEXPECTED
For my trip covering the best of western Washington and Oregon I had been advised to expect rain at least part of each day, but the sun constantly shone.

Never have I seen such majestic beauty as the Cascade range stretching from Seattle’s Mount Rainier, and on south to Mount Hood and Crater Lake etcetera. These and other solitary snow-capped mountains are lined up north to south with each bearing equally impressive names such as Mount Bachelor, Mount Jefferson and Mount Adams.