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Choking on Smoke

Wildfires in British Columbia and a 10,000 acre fire in the Pasayten Wilderness have left much of Washington blanketed in a thick layer of smoke. Air quality in Twisp and Winthrop was the worst in the nation in recent days. People are warned to stay inside with windows and doors closed and not everyone has air conditioning. Temperatures have been in the high 90’s. It is strongly suggested that a person should wear a mask when outside and strenuous activity is being discouraged. Needless to say in our area with a strong emphasis on outdoor recreation, this is a great hardship. I ventured out with the dogs for a couple of hours yesterday and it was painful. ‘They’ say a weather system should be here in a few days, perhaps with wind and rain but most likely with lightning too, and that some of this smoke may be dispersed. It’s hard to hope for lightning but I do want a break from this thick air pollution.

The sun
Not such a bad day with maybe three miles visibility
Patterson Lake. Less than a mile visibility.
Smoky moon

Dusty Shoes

The girls and I have been out and about on some trails this summer. After a wet and cool spring, we have not had any rain in weeks. The paths are all dusty and dry. I carry water for my dogs and they appreciate it. The streams and lakes and snow patches are welcome sights!

Mine.
I dropped my stick.
Will you get it for me?
Luna, why don’t you care about my stick?
Ahhhh.

Music in the Methow

Lots of terrific music comes through the Methow Valley. This weekend is the Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival. Next week is the start of the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival. Last night we got to see Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley, a pair of uniquely gifted musicians from Nashville. According to their website, “Rob Ickes is a longtime, well-established instrumental giant, and Trey Hensley is newly arrived in Music City, bursting with talent both as a vocalist and guitarist“. They are in town for the Blues Fest and the Methow Valley Ciderhouse hosted them for two hours. What a treat for folks that don’t get to go to the festival.

Relief from the Heat

Yesterday was the hottest day of the year here. So far. It reached 100 on the valley floor. Sheesh. Did I mention that we are completely without air conditioning for at least another couple of weeks? It’s enough to make a girl and her dogs crazy.

We drove up Boulder Creek to the Freezeout Pass trailhead and headed up the trail to 8242 foot Tiffany Mountain. It was 73 when we started. I was soon sweating on the steep trail through the burned forest. Many trees have blown over since last summer (sort of like the situation at my house) so there was quite a bit of clambering over and around the deadfall. Once we got out of the trees, it was the same steep, rocky ascent to the summit. Horned Larks were all around us. This is a place where they nest each summer. The snow has only recently melted up there but already it’s very dry and dusty most of the way along the trail. Wildflowers are just getting started. They could use a little bit of rain but none is in the long range forecast. At the top, the view was the best I’ve ever seen up there. Not a cloud in the sky and little haze either. I could see Mount Baker and Glacier Peak to the west and Moses Mountain to the east. And there wasn’t much wind either. On the way down, the wind picked up and I didn’t linger in the burned forest. The trees groaned and creaked and swayed in the wind.

We stopped at Boulder Creek to cool our feet on the way home. The dogs probably enjoyed that part more than the hike. I experimented with using my knee as tripod to get some pretty water images.

Back at home, it was 87, in the house.

In the burned forest
Prairie smoke
I don’t know this flower
Or this one
Looks like a short jaunt
Is it too bright for you Sky?
Looking over the Sinlahekin and Okanogan valleys.
Luna is always on the edge.
Ahhh.
The trail leads easily to the road. Or so it seems.
Paintbrush
Ahhh, the best
Sky.

Small Town Parade

Twisp has a terrific Fourth of July Parade! No doubt about it. It celebrates lots of stuff that folks around her love – horses, dogs, firefighters, EMT’s, kids doing fun stuff, our local non profits, and even the 30th anniversary of a first date. It’s all so positive!

 

 

Gathered in a shady spot before the parade
Selling cool drinks
Excuse me sir but I think your horse is double parked
It was hot
He’s cool
Pretty
More pretty
It’s going to be a hot walk along the parade route for this little guy
Strong girls!
They got a ride in the parade
At last
New EMT
Ride 4 Alzheimers gets started in Twisp.
Don and Donnie Reddington start their trek around Washington with a ride down Glover Street in the parade
Libraries are great!
These people do wonderful work in the Methow
These girls have amazing skills and shared them with folks at Arts Fest
Oh my!
I’m surprised at how many dogs come to the parade.
This dog was riding in the parade
So many good hula hoopers around here
Town councilman and the mayor
Such talent!
And the US Women’s Cross Country Ski Team made an appearance!
More strong young women!
Barry and Dana had their first date at this parade 30 years ago! That’s their daughter driving the float!
Our heroes.
The best.
The coolest.
Next stop – Arts Fest!
Virginia and Jim make their way towards Arts Fest!

Methow Arts Fest happens right after the parade. For Arts Fest photos, see my gallery on Facebook. Hopefully that link takes you to a public gallery on Facebook.