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Tag Archives: Winthrop

A Fine Day for a Foot Race and a Parade

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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food, Friends, Fun

What happens when nine women gather in a well-stocked kitchen when one of the women has proposed an Indian cooking evening? Good times, Great aromas, Wonderful food, and Lots of Laughs. This new group, the Lady Chatterlys, has chosen to learn about a variety of topics – a different one each month. This month it was Indian cooking. Next month it is a critique of capitalism. An interesting bunch, that’s for sure. Teresa is an enthusiastic teacher with a real passion for food. If nothing else, we learned two terms – curry means gravy and masala means mix.

 

Aromatic and beautiful spices

 

Sliced green chiles and ginger

 

Coriander seeds

 

All of these spices were roasted and then ground to make the curry masala

 

Chopping potatoes

 

The start of the chicken curry

 

Curry leaves into the hot oil. Curry leaves are not related to curry powder.

Rather they lend a citrus flavor to food.

 

Curry leaves and cumin seed

 

Asafoetida powder, also known as hing

 

 

Add the potatoes to all those wonderful flavors!

 

And dried mango powder

 

 

Dough for naan bread

 

Forming our naans

 

 

And some vegetables for a fresh kachumber side dish

 

Ok, the naans are in the oven. Now what?

The start of coconut chutney – Greek yogurt and coconut

 

Naan coming out of the oven

 

More seeds and spices for the coconut chutney

 

 

Melted ghee for the naan

 

And fresh garlic too!

 

The finished potatoes

 

The finished curry – can’t you just sense the anticipation in the room?

 There was more food and of course there was the eating and there was mango lassi to top it off.

Lots of fun and shared good food. Thank you Teresa.

 

Picture Perfect

Today was picture perfect weather for the last day of the hot air balloon get-together in the Methow Valley. Clear cold skies got the balloonists up early and fanning air into their enormous nylon envelopes. Parking lots were full and balloons popped up all over the outskirts of Winthrop. The air conditions must have been perfect as most of the balloons stayed up for a long time and passengers seemed to be enjoying themselves. Everywhere people were photographing the sights with all manner of cameras. The colorful balloons are a wonderful foil to the snow-covered landscapes we’ve had for months now. I think that’s why I enjoy this event so much.

Last night there was a ‘balloon glow’ in downtown Winthrop. The striped balloon is from our local balloon company, Morning Glory Balloon Tours.

Nice moon too.

Balloons in the morning mist

Filling a balloon is a time consuming practice

This balloon had a new pilot and they were trying to land the basket in the river and let the current take them downstream. It’s a delicate balance to keep the balloon inflated and upright and let the water move them along.

That just didn’t look good

Someone else got their balloon in the main channel of the river and set down easily

They had to lift the balloon over the log and still figure out how to get to the other side of the channel

Cameras everywhere

Nope, still not moving downstream

Hmmm, what are they looking at?

Well now they are moving again.

They got down the little riffle

What’s the next obstacle?

More trees to clear

Up, up and away they go!

 

Drones and a Bride and a Hot Air Balloon

Drones and a Bride and a Hot Air Balloon in Winthrop. What a combination!

Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate with the big balloons. There were some winds, not that we could detect on the ground, that kept most of the hot air balloons stored in their trailers. However, the couple from Oregon was here to get married in a balloon today and Captain Krystal was not going to let them down, so to speak. Keeping the balloon tethered in a church parking lot, the ceremony went on, complete with flying drones doing the wedding photography! The bride was radiant in her long white coat and furry white hat. The groom was dignified in his black stocking hat and Carhart jacket.

Normally when I am doing wedding photography, I am getting paid for my work and it is very pressure-filled. You can see examples of that at Reflected Light. Today was fun to simply be taking snapshots of the happy occasion without worrying about disappointing clients.

The two drones were provided by the Roswell Test Flight Crew.

Here Comes the Bride!

 There were LOTS of cameras!

Thirty feet in the air with a drone hovering closeby, the two exchanged their vows.

I always love the wedding flowers – even fake ones.

The couple did their ‘formal’ portraits inside the balloon envelope!

 Gotta have a dog picture.

 The Radiant Bride!

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!