As the light faded in the fields, the sky flamed bright blues and oranges sweeping across the expansive sky, a late-summer sunset that seemed specially designed to match the bright tablescape. We dined until well after dark, uninterested in the wonderful evening ending too soon, much more inclined to linger in good company, listening to the soundtrack of singing crickets as the stars began to blink on above.

The sweeping view of the Columbia Gorge from the porch of one of the guest cabins, even swathed in a thin sheen of wildfire smoke, is one of the most beautiful landscapes one could ever hope to see. On this ranch, though, the views continue as they wrap around, transforming into rugged mountain ridges as Wind Mountain stands sentry over the vast landscape. It’s nothing short of spectacular, even without the sentimental attachment we carry.

Between the gaze of the afternoon’s golden sunlight and the bright faces of blooming sunflowers, we came together to toast new adventures and exciting experiences, to the simple joy of spending time together, and the beauty of life’s most technicolor moments.