It's A Snap: Photo of the Week


Submitted by Charlie Nyara

June 26

Congratulations to Charlie Nyara of Corvallis, Oregon, whose photo of Smith Rock at Smith Rock State Park in central Oregon is this week's top-rated image in our It’s A Snap travel photo contest.

Nyara snapped the image while taking his girlfriend on her birthday this past Memorial Day for a ‘quick’ hike to show her the magnificent view.

“The quickest way up is the steepest, it’s pretty tough”, said Nyara; adding that the same route isn’t the safest way down, so they chose to take the longer, more scenic backside trail.

“My girlfriend is terrified of snakes, and I promised she wouldn't see any. ... On the way back down, she saw a snake (a harmless gardner snake) and freaked out. … As I took the picture she’s behind me, scanning the area.”

In the end, what was supposed to be a quick hike, took three hours round trip. Nonetheless, the couple made it down with no further drama. Love conquers all—excluding the fear of snakes.

Msnbc.com Travel

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