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Foggy Tunnel
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
I took this photo just after entering the easternmost of the Mosier Twin Tunnels. I have no idea how my camera captured this foggy view, but I thought it looked kind of moody. It was a very typical spring day in the Pacific Northwest and rained all day on our 9 mile hike. Being able to walk through these tunnels dry was a nice break.
The rugged landscape of the Columbia River Gorge posed significant obstacles to the design and construction of the Historic Columbia River Highway. Here, between Hood River and Mosier, a right-of-way conflict with the railroad forced engineer John A. Elliott to locate the road away from the river and to design tunnels through steep basalt bluffs. The 17-foot-wide Mosier Twin Tunnels easily accomodated two-way traffic by Model Ts. But as automobiles became larger, accidents were common - despite widening to 20 feet. Although signals eventually regulated one-way traffic, waiting vehicles were vulnerable to falling rock from the bluffs above. With construction of a water grade thoroughfare in the 1950's, the tunnels were closed and filled. Thanks to the efforts of Oregon's Senator Mark O. Hatfield, restoration of these famous tunnels as part of a hiking and bicycling path began in 1995. The Mosier Twin Tunnels were completed in 1921 after 3 years of backbreaking labor.
Constructed during 1919-1921, the Mosier Twin Tunnels were closed in the mid-fifties. The opening of the Interstate-84 freeway gave travelers a faster and safer way to travel the gorge.
The restoration has involved removal of the rock which had filled the tunnels, and the construction of a unique 700 foot long "catchment structure" on the west end of the tunnels that utilizes cellular concrete, pea gravel and 25 foot anchor bars.
Photo: Cropped, levels, increased contrast, resized. |
Arusem, btokaz has marked this note useful
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Hi Lori,
Good tunnel image. Your composition is great, once again, so glad you avoided the middle like so many would be tempted to do. The fog and darkness really add some mystery to the image. To me, it also gives it a bit of a spooky feeling. Reminds me of all the talk about the "light at the end of the tunnel." Should we go through or stay away. ;)
Great job!
Richard
- Miqra
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 865 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-n-n.gif)
(0) - [2005-03-20 13:01]
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Great atmosphere, great immage too, well done!
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- edie
(0)
- [2005-04-22 17:36]
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I like this shot,I don't know wy...may be, cause the tunnel takes finally in some place...the place where we want to go.
Well done.
Edie
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- btokaz
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1060 W: 127 N: 167]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(5744) - [2005-12-22 10:03]
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Very nice shot Lori. Great mood...
Tomasz
Every creative eye should appreciate this photo/image, well done, congratulations and cheers.
Jeffrey
