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Tag Archives: Big Valley

Spring Skiing at Big Valley

Luna is still recovering from her unfortuante accident last November. She continues to lack stamina and may still have some pain in her lower back. However, she wants to have fun. She wants to run and play with other dogs, go to agility and be the happy girl she’s always been. We’ve only occasionally been out to Big Valley – the winter ski/bike/snowshoe/walk/dog trail between Winthrop and Mazama – this winter. Last winter she would outrun me even on my skate skis or she’d be out in the deep snow searching for voles or anything else that caught her attention.

Today was a sunny warm morning and the MVSTA grooming report said it would be done around ten. A perfect morning for spring skiing. Apparently I am not the only person who reads those reports! Numerous cars full of people and dogs showed up right behind us!

 

A Ruffed Grouse slowly crossed the road, one sloooooow step at a time

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I think he is displaying to me. It is Valentine’s Day after all.

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Luna is excited to be at Big Valley!

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She starts off at a good clip

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She’s always had an easy running gait

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Who’s that down there?

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Hi. My name’s Luna.

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I’m Molly.

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Don’t act silly; they are watching us.

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Mike, the groomer, loves his job!

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Come on, quit talking! Let’s go!

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I don’t think you can catch him.

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I love these aspens.

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Starting to slow down after about 3k

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But then, there’s the river!

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I can will you to give me a cookie.

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Remains of the fall

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And winter’s ice

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Getting real tired now

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Trees. I can’t get enough of them.

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There’s some of the dogs we met at the parking lot.

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He doesn’t even know he’s different

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Just another k to go. You can do it Luna!

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Big Valley Walk

Luna and I drove up to Mazama for some errands the other day and on the way home we stopped at Big Valley (part of the Methow Wildlife area and in the winter a great ski trail shared with dogs) for a quiet walk. Summer is drawing to an end and much of the green has faded to yellow. The trail is dusty from use. Walkers, dogs, horses, bicycles and wildlife all share this path through the mixed woods. The river is quite low and yet still inviting and refreshing.

Ponderosa pines

This field used to grow grain or hay. I wonder if this year it is producing canola with the bright yellow flowers?

Still fascinated by patterns in the water

Fish science? 4 meters from the river, something happened. There was a tiny rivulet of a side channel with little fish that might not get out to the main river.

Luna. She hurt her leg sometime after this and won’t be going any walks or playing in the river for a while.

Asters. Nice to see a few wildflowers still in bloom.

It’s Open

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.

 

 

 

Spring Skiing

MVSTA said that today is probably the last day of grooming at Big Valley this season. Only one thing to do. Luna and I headed up valley to take advantage of the day.

 

The Methow River

 

Reflected trees

 

Love those curls. Next week, Luna gets a hair cut.

 

 

I discovered that the snow in the field was still firm enough for skiing so off we went. It was great – nearly effortless skate skiing.

 

Out on the Trail Again

It’s been a hard two weeks around here. In addition to losing our old dog, we’ve both been sick and there was a series of home maintenance issues to deal with. It looks like we have dealt with the house stuff. Ken is more or less well and I am getting better.

Luna and I really needed some exercise so yesterday we went to Big Valley, despite less than stellar conditions. The weather has been warm and the snow is really, really soft. It was a slow workout, that’s for sure. The sun came out and birds were singing as if Spring is just around the corner. Lots of chickadees and nuthatches and a woodpecker. One other bird sang and I did not recognize its call, didn’t even seem like one I had ever heard before. If I’d had more time, I would have tried to track it down. A merganser drifted down the river and dippers dipped in the cold water.

 

Looks like some interesting lost and found items

 

 How can a person resist this dog?

 

Those arrows always puzzle me

 

She knows the way to the river

 

Ponderosa Pines are one of my favorite trees

 

Happy dog!