Mariposa Lillies, Calochortus sp, send up their flowers after the weather gets hot. Their leaves have long since withered when the beautiful pink to lavendar flowers open. They are a real gem to find amongst the already drying grasses. I found these above our house on a short dog walk a couple evenings ago.
Here it is – mid-summer and I’ve barely been out on any hikes. That needs to change. Yesterday I had a window of opportunity and drove up to Harts Pass. It’s a rugged and narrow road and if you are afraid of heights, you’d best not look out the window. The drop down to the Methow River is precipitous, to say the least. One particularly bad stretch is called Dead Horse Point in honor of a string of pack horses that went over the edge back in the days before there was a road. The trail and the eventual road were put in to service the mining camps and the old and now abandoned, town of Barron, headquarters of gold mining in the Harts Pass area. It’s hard to imagine that at one time there were 1000’s of miners, a store, and other components of a rough community so high in the mountains. Now it’s primarily a recreation area and access to the Pasayten Wilderness. The road ends just below the lookout at Slate Peak, about 7400′ elevation. This is the highest maintained road in Washington. Snow has not all melted so I parked about a mile and a half below the lookout and with Luna, walked to the top. The views were stunning and wildflowers abundant. The temperature was 77. It was very refreshing. In Winthrop it was 97.
My what a big tongue you have!
I have forgotten more wildflower names than I know these days.
A yellow violet, maybe Viola glabella
One of the phloxes
Slate Peak in the distance. You can see a similar view in this post from last November 7 at the beginning of winter
Luna looking over the edge. She’s not afraid of heights. You can see Mount Baker in NW Washington on the left side of the image.
Heading down and looking back at the lookout. You can see part of the Pacific Crest Trail down below.
Nice thing to do after a hike.
Caltha sp. ?
Anemone occidentalis
Buttercups, Ranunculus sp.
A burned silver forest
These yellow glacier lillies, Erythronium grandiflorum, bloom immediately following snow melt.
Paintbrush, Castilleja sp.
Another Phlox sp.
Monkeyflower, Mimulus sp.
I am learning a new camera – one of the mirrorless micro 4/3 models and finding it not the most intuitive thing I’ve ever held. Hopefully images will improve with practice. Wish me luck. I may return to carrying the large heavy DSLR although I’d really like to cut down on the weight I take hiking with me.
Hot weather and extended visits from family have changed the routines around here. Walks are few and far between. Last night Luna and I and a friend enjoyed a much-needed walk up the hill after sunset. Thunderstorms were passing to the north and east of us leaving us dry and with a wonderful show in the sky. Billowing clouds topped the horizons and the sky colors were magnificent. And on the way back down the hill, Luna found a bull snake.
In addition to a parade, the Methow Arts Fest happens on the Fourth of July in the Twisp Park near the confluence of the Twisp and Methow Rivers. All afternoon, there were hands-on art booths, music, dancing, food and more. Methow Arts sponsors this fun-filled and creative event.
Methow Arts – The Legend of the Superhero!
One of the Methow Arts Superheroes!
Charlotte – Volunteers are Superheroes too!
This goldendoodle is also a Superhero. She is a Therapy Dog!
Superhero stockings
There were lots of murals of local Superheroes for participants to paint. Many thanks to Erik Brooks for designing them.
Salyna’s Scheherazades – a belly dance troupe and part of the Methow Dance Collective.
Dancing Superheroes.
Examining his art projects – magic potions for Superheroes
Ken’s mom, one of our personal Superheroes, paints a landscape at the watercolor booth.
A member of the Wanderlust Circus performs graceful midair stunts.
The Music Man director Julie Wenzel and music director Wayne Mendro watch excerpts from the play.
Another arts Superhero – Mark Wenzel stars in The Music Man
The last musical act makes a dramatic entrance
Superheroes in the audience
Captain America arrived to join the others
On a Harley! How many Superheroes have a Harley?
Yesterday Twisp celebrated Independence Day with a homegrown parade. Participants gathered at Twisp Works to prepare for the four block march down Glover Street. There were lots of dogs, bicycles, some horses, Roller Derby Girls, polticians, old cars and firefighters. It was a perfect day for a parade.
His parade face
It’s an election year
Vote with your feet
Not sure what they are voting for
Appropriately dressed spectators
Derby Girls don’t like candy under their skates
There goes the winner of the Doggie Dash!
Cast members from The Music Man hamming it up
The theme of the day was Superheroes
Why is this man smiling? He is running for office.
Firefighters – true Superheroes!
Otto
My Everyday Photos 