The Soul of the North Cascades
Bernie and I went to Big Valley to go snowshoeing on Thursday.
This is one of the few groomed multi use trails in the valley.
The groomed trail was so nice and compact that it was easy to walk on in just my boots.
And then at other times we made our own trail by snowshoe.
We made a track down to the Methow River.
We actually used to live across from Big Valley when we lived in Winthrop before.
We would cross the river by foot, and explore the trails that snake their way through
Big Valley.
It was good to visit this area again.
We enjoyed many expansive views from the large open fields.
See, here we are in BIG Valley.
(Bernie is showing us how big)
~
I have been practicing writing most mornings lately.
Below is a piece that I wrote that I am pondering sending into our
local weekly newspaper, just for the heck of it.
I am enjoying writing, and I look forward to improving on it.
Bernie and I just moved back to the Methow Valley after 3 years of exploring our country through the beauty of the Aleutian Islands in 2008, the Pacific Crest Trail in 2009 and the Appalachian Trail in 2010. Over the last three years the valley has been in the back of my mind and deep within my heart. We had only lived in Winthrop two and a half years during our previous stay from 2005 to 2007, but there is something so special about this area that it has felt like home from that first moment.
When we were pondering a place to move to for 2011, I kept trying to convince myself to try another part of the country, to experience something new and fresh. We visited the Southwest, and were in awe of the raw beauty that red rock country holds. And then we talked about the Oregon coast, to experience the wild call of the open ocean. The west still holds many places filled with the pureness of nature, and each of them would be spectacular to explore. But the more that I thought about exploring a new area, the more I felt the call of the Methow Valley.
In our travels through the United States, this area is still one of the most beautiful I have experienced. Being nestled in the North Cascade Mountains provides a setting that is nourishing for mind, body and soul. How can one not be moved by nature here in this place that is still so saturated by it. The sheer majesty of the North Cascades provides a picturesque backdrop to our little communities. Right in our backyard we have an almost endless playground to go explore, and the inhabitants of the valley make sure to take advantage of this. I am being reminded each day of the amazing bounty of outdoor recreation opportunities that this perfect location grants us. We are exploring on almost a daily basis by snowshoe, and the spring and summer months call to me with their endless trails that will be revealed as the snow slowly retreats higher and higher in the mountains.
The community that exists in the Valley was another strong draw to return to this area. Sadly there seems to be fewer true communities in our nation with each passing moment. I feel that small towns are one of the few hopes left for whole communities to exist. And the Methow Valley holds one of the kindest and loving group of people I have had the honor to experience. When living here it feels as if you are part of one large family, and yes, like any family we have our small upsets with each other. But more often I see everyone holding out their hand, asking how they can help each other, or simply being there with some kind words. During difficult times I think a community is measured by its kindness rather than its monetary gain, and with that I see the Methow Valley’s great riches.
And so after trying to ignore the melody of this area, it has called me back. I am excited to once again be an instrument in the great orchestra of the Methow Valley. We have been welcomed back with the warm embrace of the community, and the joyous beauty of nature. Our time here will never be measured by the turning of a calendar, but by the experiences that build ones mind, body and soul.
A little treasure of nature that I found on our trek through Big Valley.
Surrounded by Beauty
This post needs very few words other than to say I had forgotten
exactly how much beauty was here in the Valley.
It feels good to be back.
As you can tell it was a warmer day!
Bernie decided to do Polar Bear Sledding?
What would shirtless sledding be called exactly?
The sunshine felt good.
And it almost felt spring like.
And then it snowed the next day, haha!
All of these pictures (except the one of Bernie sledding) were taken
by Bernie. He has some great pictures of our wildlife neighbors at his blog
Sledding!!
I have not been sledding in forever,
so we decided to go have fun with our stylish sled.
We headed up to the Patterson Mountain Trail.
WooHoo!!
Staying forward facing was a challenge at times,
but it was fun to see the world backwards too!
Laying down like this is a great way to get snow in your shirt!
That’s a rush!
It was a blast, we both laughed and hooted all the way down.
We took turns on the sled,
and who ever was taking pictures was sure to be fast on their feet,
in case the sled decided to take a new course.
Oooh! Here comes a big bump!
(Look at that concern!)
Hey these bumps are fun!
(Oooo!)
Weeee!!!
(Grin!)
I got called away from sledding for a quick interview/chat
up at Sun Mountain Lodge (where I used to work).
And so Bernie took the opportunity to go for a showshoe trek from
where we were sledding, to the lodge.
He took these pictures along the way.
Above, Sun Mountain Lodge.
And Patterson Lake,
Frozen over.
Snowshoeing Between Worlds
We have been getting outside and snowshoeing almost every day since we have been here.
It is so nice to have easy access to the outdoors again!
Bellingham is not a bad town to be in, but its just that, a town.
We had to drive a minimum of 45 minutes to get to any kind of trail,
and most of them were much further than that.
Now within 10 to 30 minutes we have an amazing selection of all kinds of places to
explore the outdoors!
Yesterday was foggy, but we decided to take the camera with just for the heck of it.
I am glad we did.
It was beautiful, the fog had such a magical feeling.
I just loved the two ponderosa pines in the above photo.
As the fog drifted through the cool air of night it frosted the trees in a beautiful
crystal coating.
It was wonderful to sit and reflect upon them,
to study their elegant and regal stature.
To feel their patience and peace.
When I came across this stand of grass I was not sure the picture would be able to capture what
I was seeing and feeling.
To my delight when we uploaded the photos there it was.
The elegance of last years plants is amazing.
These grasses stood above the snow all around us.
Many of the seed heads had collected the same crystal frosting as the trees during the night.
Each one looked like someone had sat down and created a crystalline masterpiece upon it.
And perhaps someone did.
Did the frost faeries come out at night and spend hours weaving a fine basket
on the end of each grass stalk?
Blue skies peeked at us from time to time.
Teasing, playing, taunting us to come higher.
Sunlight played on the hills above us.
I stopped often to admire the beauty and grace of the ponderosas.
What majestic trees they are, and I missed them!
They looked beautiful in their cloaks of crystal.
I am amazed by the detail of each ice crystal.
There is a whole world in each one.
I had been studying these needles up close and had to take a little taste.
Mmmm!
And what better way to relax than to just plop down in a snow recliner?
It was a magic outing spent in the fog.
It truly felt like we were between worlds.
When we would stop there was an amazing silence,
broken only by the call of the birds.
(And once in a while someone hammering at a house down the hill)
A Good Day to Reflect
We have finally hit typical western Washington fall weather. The last couple of days have just been steady rain. Its great for all the plants, but it doesn’t make for enjoyable outdoor trips. So I have been enjoying the time for reading, and doing some crafting. I have been working on my needle felting.
We put an add on craigslist to sell some of our chickens, and we have gotten a couple of calls. I always get nervous about selling our animals to other people. Our chickens have it so good here, I can only hope that they will end up in homes that treat them well and let them roam around. We had a couple come last night to get 4 hens and a rooster as a birthday present for their 7 year old daughter, who wants chickens. Hopefully their girl will love them.
I have been reading a book called Money and the Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks. I really love their books. Their books The Law of Attraction, and Ask and it is given, are both really good ones for changing your perspective on the world. All of their books teach you how to release the negativity in your life, and focus on what you want. If you have never heard of any of these books I highly recommend going to the library or book store and checking one of them out, you might be surprised at what you learn.
Enjoy each moment, and always follow your dreams.
