Hi, I'm Eric.

I’m an avid world traveler, photographer, software developer, and digital storyteller.

I help implement the Content Authenticity Initiative at Adobe.

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73
Schafer State Park
73

Schafer State Park

north of Elma, Washington
visited 9 October 2021
Back to parks list

One year ago today, I took the ferry to Lopez Island and started this project by making a few photos in Spencer Spit State Park. Today’s park, Schafer, offers a walk along the Satsop River and some fall colors.

I’ve recently learned that the concept of an exact count of Washington’s state parks is a bit controversial. There are parks within parks, little parks, big parks … what do you count? The official parks site only says “more than 120” parks. I’ve seen some counts over 150.

So, I don’t know. Maybe I don’t have the exact count either, but … let’s assume for the moment that 146 is accurate. If so, I made it halfway to my goal of all of the parks. Hope you’ve enjoyed following along as much as I’ve enjoyed visiting and blogging about the parks.

A dense Pacific Northwest forest in autumn, with maple leaves turning orange, red, and golden yellow among moss-draped branches and tall evergreen conifers under an overcast gray sky.
A shallow river winds through a forested valley under an overcast gray sky, lined on both banks by tall evergreen conifers and green brushy trees, with a gravel bar visible along the right side and low hills in the distance.
A narrow dirt footpath winds through a lush, mossy forest, flanked by sword ferns and low green undergrowth, with a large moss-covered tree trunk dominating the right side of the frame and conifers filtering soft daylight overhead.
The base of a thick tree trunk patched with green moss and pale lichen, surrounded by a lush forest floor of small-leaved groundcover, green vines, and scattered brown fallen leaves at Schafer State Park, Washington.
A narrow dirt trail winds through a lush green forest where tree branches draped heavily with long, shaggy moss hang over the path like a curtain. Sword ferns and dense undergrowth line both sides of the trail beneath tall evergreens.
A narrow dirt trail winds through a lush green forest, lined with large sword ferns and moss-covered undergrowth, with exposed tree roots and scattered yellow leaves on the path under a canopy of tall trees.
A narrow reddish-brown dirt trail winds through a lush green forest of tall conifers and leafy trees, flanked by dense sword ferns, mossy undergrowth, and low shrubs.
A spray of Oregon grape leaves on a forest floor, with individual leaflets transitioning from green through yellow to vivid red, dotted with water droplets. Green ferns, mossy twigs, and other foliage fill the surrounding shaded understory.
A dense, mossy woodland scene with maple and other trees whose leaves are turning yellow and orange amid green foliage, with moss-covered branches and a glimpse of a grassy clearing visible through the trees.
A narrow dirt hiking trail winding through a lush green forest, bordered on the right by a rustic split-rail wooden fence and flanked by abundant sword ferns, mossy tree trunks, and fallen autumn leaves scattered across the path.
A moss-covered deciduous tree with twisting branches and leaves turning gold and orange reaches upward against a pale sky, surrounded by lush green undergrowth in an autumn forest.

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