Here are a few wonderfully short Western U.S. road trips photographed by Douglas Orton. Please scroll down to the adventure below or follow the blue links for more travel routes and articles.

*ASTORIA, OREGON

*FIVE FERRY LOOP: SEATTLE, OLYMPIC PENINSULA, VICTORIA, SAN JUAN ISLANDS.

*NORTH CASCADES LOOP, WA

*PALOUSE COUNTRY, WA

*HELLS CANYON SCENIC BYWAY, ELKHORN DRIVE NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY LOOP, OREGON.

*OREGON SPRING LOOP, TULIPS! WATERFALLS! BEACHES!

*HIGH LAKES ROAD, WA, MOUNTAIN PEAKS AND LAKES.

*NORTH CASCADES LOOP, WA

*PALOUSE COUNTRY, WA

*COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE; OREGON, WASHINGTON LOOP.

*OLYMPIC PENINSULA LOOP, WA.

*VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C., CANADA.

*OKANOGAN LOOP DRIVE.

*CURRENT EXHIBIT, ASSIGNMENT

Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Begin this loop and out and back drive in Vicotoria, BC after disembarking from the Blackball Line, Washington State Ferry, or British Columbia Ferry. We love the Blackball from Port Angeles. After dawdling downtown (you will get another chance at the end) head west towark Sooke, along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Several parks like along the way from Sooke to Port Renfew. After exploring both, you can loop to Lake Cowichan via the Harris Creek Main, then dropping down to Duncan before heading north. Althernatively, backtrack to Victoria on pavement, head to Duncan, and do an up and back to Lake Cowichan. North of Duncan, head to Nanaimo, then inland to Port Albernie. After taking the Lady Rose Marine boat out the inlet and back, visit Pacific Rim National Park. Retreating to Port Albernie, either catch a loggin Main to Courtenay or return to Duncan and head north again. Visit, and linger, at Telegraph Cove, before ending the northen island leg at Port Hardy or Cape Scott Park. Return south, catching what you missed or want to see again, and hop another ferry for the mainland! Not less than a week. For an extended adventure, ferry from Port Hardy to Bella Coola and head toward interior BC up the Bella Coola Valley!