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Tag Archives: Winthrop

Bridging the Gap

Today was the first day I’ve seen the new pedestrian bridge at Winthrop open and it was a glorious day to try it out! After spending most of the morning at the MVSTA ski swap it was nice to get outside and be reminded about some of the things we like about living here. The clear blue skies, the cottonwoods, the fish in the rivers, the birds flying in the trees and over the rivers, the camraderie of the friendly people who live here.

This new suspension bridge joins the old part of Winthrop with the newer developments to the south. Also it makes it incredibly easier to WALK from downtown to the Town Trailhead and the Ice Rink and other destinations on the west side of the river. Not only walk, but bike or ski. It’s a great place to watch wildlife – birds, fish, deer, rubber ducks…….. I saw and heard American Dippers flying up and downstream. It’s a great place to see Bald Eagles.

The most amazing thing to me is that many people have been and continue to be opposed to it! It is the first and needed step to continuing the trail system down river. Congratulations Winthrop on a job well done.

The new bridge is located slightly downstream from the confluence of the Chewuch and the Methow Rivers

Mount Gardner

Ken enjoyed watching the fish and talking about them. He identified at least four different species – whitefish, steelhead, bull trout and coho salmon!

Coho returning to Spring Creek to spawn. We were able to see numerous redds, the places where the fish lay their eggs.

 

Looking up Spring Creek on the left

Scene at the Lake

Pearrygin Lake State Park

Scenes from the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival

Thursdsay was our first time ever to attend a performance of the annual, week-long festival held high on a hill above our house. The Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival attracts musicians of incredibly high caliber from places near and far. Our friends brought East 20 pizza and some refreshments and we arrived early to picnic on the lawn and visit and enjoy the evening light.

Weather is at long last, simply perfect. Signal Hill Ranch, the festival venue, overlooks the valley with the North Cascades in the distance and it is a lovely setting to celebrate music and musicians and the folks that appreciate them. The old enormous barn has been updated for acoustics and audience comfort. I did not take my camera gear however the owner of the ranch suggested I use his to get a few pictures of the evening. Unfamiliar equipment, location and lighting made it a challenge and a learning experience. I always enjoy photographing music so it was interesting and I’ll give it a try again next year.

Oh, and the music – it was fabulous.

 

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Color

Although these chairs are made of plastic, their bright colors made me feel like Spring was closer. Even as the snow melt flowed off the metal roof!

Doggie Dash 2011

An annual six legged (or more) race involving a person and a dog and they must stay connected throughout the race. In addition, there are costume contests for all the heats and a grand prize at the end of the races for best overall costume. If you like dogs, skiing and winter, this is about as much fun as you can imagine!

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