I have written about Wabi-Sabi before.
Wabi-Sabi (n): Flawed beauty; beauty that is imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. Finding beauty within the imperfections of life.
This week, with encouragement from Terri of Sunday Stills, I took a look at my vision of dilapidated. In my bubble of a world that brings me to wabi-sabi. I believe beauty can be coaxed out of almost anything. During our travels and hikes we don’t necessarily look, but often find that beauty in ambiguity.
Pay attention.
What if I told you dilapidated things might be art? This dead tree has been on the ledge of Crater Lake for years. I know because I have taken a photo of it every time we visit. If alive our view would be obstructed. Instead it feels like an invitation to stop. A great place to linger near this sculpture, framed by nature.
Maybe dilapidated’s purpose is to honor the memory of another time and place. This was the old miner’s car from the Mt. St Helens blast in 1980. It is now the sculptured centerpiece to a native wildflower garden. Is it to help us remember? Or is is nature’s way to show us that life goes on?
Maybe broken, dilapidated things show you the way. On a hike out to Cape Alava we came across this washed out boardwalk. I loved it. It gave us insight to the powerful river that ran through here another day and it gave us a chance to find our own way.
The beauty of wabi-sabi is in one respect, the condition of coming to terms with what you consider ugly. – Leonard Koren
Have you ever thought…everything might just be a gateway to another place? At Redwoods, massive trees fall and block the trails. They are often too big to climb over and it would require a sizable detour to go around. So under we go. Look again. This redwood bridge of the collapsed tree is also a nurse log, an ecosystem in itself.
Accept the transient nature of things, earthly things, to show you the way.
Maybe it’s a place to begin. This burnt tree from a previous forest fire is a beautiful vase for the thriving forest. It, too, is it’s own ecosystem, and a great home for the chipmunk who scurried down the crack.
There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in. – Leonard Cohen.
Wind Kisses, Donna
Additional Inspiration: WQW, PPAC The Changing Seasons: Bushboy,Ju-Lyn
Yes. Contrast does much to make us appreciate beauty.
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indeed.
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I never knew what wabi-sabi was so thanks for that definition, Donna! There are so many dilapidated things in nature, and yes, there is extraordinary beauty in decay. I’ve never been to Crater Lake and the fact that you visit and recognize that same spot framed by the tree is a testament to what draws us to nature. Great to see your link.
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Thanks Terri. I figured you would certainly know wabi-sari as you live it so often in your life. So true about what draws us to nature. Loved the chance to join this challenge and revisit a few photos from my PNW trip. Thanks for your continued inspiration of others.
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Hi Donna, thanks for connecting to both WQW and PPAC. I love your pictures. I have never been on top of Mt. St. Helens, but knew of the man who wouldn’t move. What a sad decision he made, but he made it with his eyes wide open. Your pictures of Washington show off how beautiful it is. We live in a beautiful world. Thanks for bringing us so much of it. 🙂
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Thanks Marsha. Yes. You hit the nail on the head. Such a beautiful world.
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I had a great time seeing all of those wonders. Thanks for letting me tag along Donna 🙂
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Thank you Brian
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I am wondering if that car belongs to the guy that would not leave (that Marsha mentioned). They even made a song for him way back when. I was in the area when Mt St Helens blew. In fact, the ash kept us from attending our last day of school! Beautiful photos, Donna, love them all!!
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It is the same car. We have visited a few times over the years. We found it interesting how old and rusty the car looks now. It used to be a teal color. (I think) Interesting you were there. You probably have a lot of memories of strange things that happened. Fascinating to me.
We moved to WA in 84. A visit at that time, felt like we got made a wrong turn onto a moonscape. Eerie.
Thank you.
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Ironically, I have never visited the mountain. But we could see it from our house. AND I have a gallon of ash I’ve toted all over the place for some darn reason! Scraped it from our roof. It’s sitting out in our garage!
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Hahaha. I would have done the same. Save it. It’s a cool keep.
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The new west side visitor center is awesome. It would be a good stop over if you are going to another destination.
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I would absolutely do that if I’m able to in the future!
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I love the concept of wabi-sari for the photographer in me. That flawed beauty is often the stuff of the best photos, as you have demonstrated. I especially love the Crater Lake shot and the rusty car. I didn’t know the story behind that but have picked it up from the comment threads. The eruption got a lot of news coverage over here but I don’t believe we heard anything about a man who wouldn’t leave. I guess the car is his legacy.
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Yes, both he and his son passed in the blast. They had a hunting cabin a mile from this spot the cabin gone. I don’t think anyone ever believed it would be to that magnitude.
And no water bluer than Crater Lake’s. It makes everything look better.
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Sad, but I’ve seen similar so many times in the news – dreadful floods, wildfires or storms forecast but some people just won’t leave. It’s as if they can’t contemplate the idea that anything could actually happen to their home, because to do so is just too frightening.
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Yes….The recent hurricanes in Florida are a good example.
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I love this because in all reality, our perspective can make the word something “good” or “bad”.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
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I completely agree. Thanks Jodie.
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Wow, today’s photos showcase some favorite places in my neck of the woods: Crater Lake, Mt. St. Helens, and Olympic National Park!
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Yes! We spent a month camping in all our “old” stomping grounds. We had the best time and the best weather. As YOU know, Aug/Sept. in PNW are the best months.
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I sometimes get anxious and jump the gun in July but, yes, I basically save my hiking outings for August and September.
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Beautiful images!
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Thank you.
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Thank you Marsha.
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