Nothing better than a bluebird spring day for skiing.
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Yesterday, St Patricks Day, another four inches of snow fell! Much as I love winter and snow, I am ready for Spring. The weather gurus say this wet weather pattern will continue into next month although with maybe more rain and less snow. And after that, more typical spring weather, whatever that means.
As always, the fresh new snow was beautiful and now it’s melted and there is mud in the cleared areas.
Mt Robinson appeared as the clouds began to part
Rose Hips
Lichens
Likin’ these lichens.
Today the driveway is mud again
Says Phoebe singing from the highest peak of the roof
Across the valley
I keep imagining that one day I will see green when I wake up.
Today was picture perfect weather for the last day of the hot air balloon get-together in the Methow Valley. Clear cold skies got the balloonists up early and fanning air into their enormous nylon envelopes. Parking lots were full and balloons popped up all over the outskirts of Winthrop. The air conditions must have been perfect as most of the balloons stayed up for a long time and passengers seemed to be enjoying themselves. Everywhere people were photographing the sights with all manner of cameras. The colorful balloons are a wonderful foil to the snow-covered landscapes we’ve had for months now. I think that’s why I enjoy this event so much.
Last night there was a ‘balloon glow’ in downtown Winthrop. The striped balloon is from our local balloon company, Morning Glory Balloon Tours.
Nice moon too.
Balloons in the morning mist
Filling a balloon is a time consuming practice
This balloon had a new pilot and they were trying to land the basket in the river and let the current take them downstream. It’s a delicate balance to keep the balloon inflated and upright and let the water move them along.
That just didn’t look good
Someone else got their balloon in the main channel of the river and set down easily
They had to lift the balloon over the log and still figure out how to get to the other side of the channel
Cameras everywhere
Nope, still not moving downstream
Hmmm, what are they looking at?
Well now they are moving again.
They got down the little riffle
What’s the next obstacle?
More trees to clear
Up, up and away they go!
Yesterday we went for a ‘Sunday Drive’. All the dogs piled into the new car and we took some snacks and headed up the Chewuch River. Not too much snow up there so we had some nice easy walks. Two of the dogs are old and one is nearly lame so we all took it easy.
Our first stop was Falls Creek Falls – pretty in all seasons and some especially interesting ice forms this visit.
The Yellow Belly – Ponderosa Pines – are especially pretty in winter
Rosehips brilliant color and citrus taste make them especially attractive to birds. People enjoy them as well.
We saw two beavers on the Chewuch.
The fresh light snow was excellent for tracking animals. Here is a tiny one – maybe a vole?
And a moose. There were two sets – maybe a cow and calf.
And a big black bear. It walked along the road between when we drove up and when we returned. This was the second set of bear tracks we saw yesterday. I wonder when they will begin hibernating?
Lots of elderberries still hanging from the bushes. Do bears eat these?
And more beautiful rosehips
Ice on the Chewuch 
And the lonely snags from the 30 Mile Fire, ten years ago. Wind blowing through them made an eerie wailing sound. No doubt, these woods are haunted.
My Everyday Photos 