Each Fall, lots of people come here to Salmon Cascades on the Sol Duc River to see salmon jump. They take a million pictures, some paint. I can now say I’m the only one that did both (with an underwater camera, too), and my art stayed behind. Here we were just out for a look at salmon, and of course saw some, but we hadn’t been here since this wayside panel was installed. Fun to see my stuff here and I thought it turned out pretty well.

Below is one of my  underwater shots, much different than what I’d imagined it would look like down there. Colorful rocks, some organic color on the big stones. This is what the salmon see as they circle preparing to make the jump.

Below is the original sketch, the third design that the park eventually approved. That bottom fish is about life-sized in the final panel.

And here’s a little backstory about all this. In the 80’s, I was visiting parks to paint them for my gallery and others I was represented by, sold all I could produce, and then one day a collector of mine who also ran Redwood National Park told me in casual conversation: “Listen, you come to my park, you paint her, and then you take the art away. Why not keep the art in the park for others to enjoy?” It changed my life and was one of those few life-moments I can point to as a turning point. I did what he suggested, and it’s been a meaningful ride for me ever since doing just that. On the Sol Duc Road alone you can see 25 of my paintings along the way in the 17 miles up to Sol Duc Trailhead. 300 in the California redwoods. And it’s an amazing bunch of memories of working for and with people who only want to do what’s best for nature, not their own pocketbook. From Alaska to Florida – it’s a legacy I don’t take lightly.

Here’s the salmon cascades, but without the salmon. Just didn’t time the photo at the right time. It’s a good jump, but they all seem to make it eventually.

And at the end of the road and a short hike to the falls, but here’s the rebuilt cabin, the 1939 Canyon Creek Shelter at Sol Duc Falls. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places.  And the falls that stop all fish from getting to the upper reaches of the Sol Duc River.

Thanks for reading this week.

Larry Eifert

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Nancy’s web portfolio of stunning photography and paintings

And here to go to Virginia Eifert’s website.