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Winthrop Balloon Round Up – Day One

Lots of colorful hot air balloons dotted the landscape and skies this morning as the Round Up got into full swing. Yesterday we saw two balloons out; today there were more than a dozen! The big parking lot didn’t get fully plowed so balloons were launching from various sites on the edges of town – behind and in front of the Red Apple Market, at the Friendship Church and rumour has it tomorrow they will launch from Town Trailhead too. All for fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This post needed a dog, don’t you think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe two dogs.

 

This is a drone. Rumour has it that it will be making a video of a wedding to be held in one of the balloon baskets tomorrow! How exciting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still Winter

But Spring is just around the corner. Skiing conditions are highly variable but when they are good, they are very, very good. We still get intermittant snowfall but also warm temperatures are lessening the snowpack in the valley. More animals are moving about. My neighbor even claims to have seen a chipmunk already! Seems to early for them to be out and about.

 

Making first tracks on the Community Trail near Browns Farm

 

Big Valley, seen from the Community Trail

 

Lots of squirrels are enjoying the warm afternoons. This one is perched just above its burrow in the snow.

 

The Methow River from the Suspension Bridge

 

Winter still has a pretty good grip up in the Rendezvous area.

 I know, it looks like I have been playing a lot; however I’ve also been doing some serious work. You can see that at Reflected Light.

 

 

 

The Doggie Dash – A Six Legged Race

Every winter the Methow Valley Nordic Club sponsors the always popular Doggie Dash in Winthrop near the Town Trailhead. It is one of the most fun events of the year for dog lovers and their friends. In addition to being a race, it’s also a costume contest. Many people put more effort into their costume design than the race itself in hopes of taking home the traveling trophy – a magnificent golden poodle! The race categories included kids, adults with big dogs, adults with little dogs and skijoring teams. Generous sponsors provide lots of doggie treats and prizes.

 

This puppy really has a ‘game face’

 

I’m always partial to doodles

 

 What can I say about this?

 

Luna is having second thoughts

 

And the race is on!

 

The little jockey is being followed by the super hero team from Mazama

 

 

It’s ok to fall and get up – you cannot let go of your dog though

 

And she’s off again

 

Normally mild mannered Kristen turned into a new woman when she donned the roller girl outfit!

 

 

At the starting line, Luna is still thinking……

 

Looks like Trip is also thinking about other stuff

 

There’s a good team

 

Trip – don’t look at the girls over there

 

This is just before Luna ran over to me and sat down.

 

One of the skijoring contestants

Just one big happy family

 

 

 

And the winnter of the coveted golden poodle!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puppies Never Quit Moving

Adeline, otherwise known as Addy, came to visit us with her person last night. I was in bed before they arrived so didn’t get to meet her til this morning. What a little cutie but I tell ya, she never stayed still. Try as I might, she was a hard one to photograph and with limited time on my hands, I only captured a few frames of her. She is half Australian shepard and half fox terrier and twelve weeks old.

 

 

 

 

 

Late Winter

Still lots of snow on the ground and with cold nights it is firm enough to walk on. Some days it is slush. Luna and Sam and I have been out quite a bit recently and the dogs are finding lots of interesting smells. Most are from the deer and voles, I think. But you’d have to ask Luna and Sam to know for sure.

 

 Yarrow against the sparkling snow

 

A serviceberry leaf still clings to the stem.

 

I think this is a big buckwheat. Or maybe a lomatium. I’m pretty sure it’s a buckwheat. I’ll remember in a couple of months when it starts growing again.

 

I found this fresh looking pair of antlers under a pine tree. It seems early for sheds.