Spring brings something new and promises of life to come.
Here is some of what’s coming on our hill.
Chokecherries!
Say’s Phoebes!
Butterflies, or maybe moths!
What’s growing on your place?
Today there were at least two noteworthy events in the Methow; well I’m quite sure there were more – I only got to these two!
MVSTA had its 32nd annual Sunflower Relay – a marathon lenth race that can be run by iron men and women OR teams of two to seven runners. I helped with bibs and at one of the aid stations. It was a fine morning to run from Mazama to Twisp through the forest and over the balsamroot covered hills! All the participants seemed happy and full of energy.
Later I stopped in Winthrop and took in the 49ers Days Parade. This parade features more horses than any other parade in Washington State. I think the numbers were a little down this year however there were MORE Roller Girls and I think maybe more bikes than usual.
It was a beautiful day to enjoy the Methow whatever activity a person was doing!
The runners go through lots of dixie cups full of water and power aid.
This team dressed the part for the Sunflower Relay!
The Candy Man is a fixture in this parade. I’ve heard that his coat weighs over 30 pounds!
Here’s Julie leading a gang of young Methow bikers.
And the Methow Roller Girls gave demos of the sport of Roller Derby!
Today Highway 20 across the North Cascades opened for the summer season. It’s been closed since last November. In recent weeks people have been riding bikes up it, enjoying the traffic-free sunny days as they grind up the mountain. At noon, all that changed. The sound of Harley’s filled the air and RV’s trudged through town. It’s good for business but it does change the way of life in Winthrop and Mazama. For the first time ever, I decided to drive up on opening day to see the big cut snowbanks and enjoy the mountain air. But first, Luna and I went for a bike ride at Big Valley, where just weeks ago, we were skiing!
Ok, maybe it was nearly two months ago but it doesn’t seem like that long since we were skiing here.
Luna enjoyed the clear cold water of the Methow
The river is running a little high, much higher than in the winter
Not too high for swimming
This bike rider was enjoying the long hill climb as his wife drove the route, photographing him.
Liberty Bell from that same spot
And she made my picture too.
Luna and I had a great visit in Montana. We did well at our first agility trial and even though we did not get any qualifications, we showed improvement throughout the weekend and had a couple of ‘clean’ runs. We will try it again sometime. Luna loved playing with her new buddy, the puppy – Gus! All things come to an end so we said our goodbye’s and headed down the 400 miles of road to home.
Gus and his people
Luna, we need to get going.
Serviceberry and pines
Balsamroot, serviceberry and pines
Lilypads on a pond in Idaho
An ancient apple tree in bloom shows that someone once tried to make a life in this wild wet place in Idaho
Crazed springtime weather brings a little bit of everything. We adapt. Luna likes her new puppy pal Gus. Tomorrow is our big day. Wish us luck.
The famous used book store in Alberton
Lots of blooming shooting stars
Snow in thr Bitterroot Valley
Happy black dogs
A nice morning hike in the hills
Bitterroot mountains across the way
A rainy afternoon at Mary’s house
Tired dogs
My Everyday Photos 