Spring in the Mountains

Technically , the end of winter, but Spring is on it's way to the mountains.  March started out with  5 feet of snow in the first 9 days and quickly became all about rain.  It's been looking fairly dark and gloomy out there, but we are still out and about, waiting for some blue sky and sun....might be awhile?

2017, The Universe, Yoga I Can Stand

Hello and Happy New Year!  It's 2017!  Can you believe it?  When I was a kid I used to calculate how old I would be in THE FUTURE...Well, I don't think I ever went past the year 2000.  And here I am, in 2017.  No hover car, no personal robot, no trips to Mars....But it's close, right?  I have the mars curiosity rover on instagram and that just blows me away!!  Pictures of Mars, the red planet, on my phone?  Way cool!

Ok enough of my ramblings....here's the photo of Mae you've all been waiting for, waiting in the snow for snowballs.

I have a couple of things to share with you....remember the Altras?  The shoe to end all mountain running shoes?  Well sadly, I ended up returning them after about 3 months.  They were perfect, great shoe, scrambling around the mountain, running , hiking.  they kept me comfy and dry through October, the wettest October on record in Seattle.  They were warm and great into November.  And then, one day, my feet were WET!  They were leaking at the seams and also had really broken down after only about 100 miles of use. No cushion, dead shoes.   I spoke to a rep at Altra and he confirmed that because they are new shoes/boots for them they didn't really know what to expect.  The "neoshell" is not actually neoprene but a gortex like material.  Anyway, they went back....I couldn't justify the $160 retail price (I paid $140 thru Road Runner Sports and they have an excellent return policy).  I got a really ugly pair of Asics that are doing the job well enough for half the price.

Ok, The Universe....so I don't mean this in a Carl Sagan way, though I LOVE Mr. Sagan.  I am talking about all that Karmic stuff, you know, things working out in the end?  squaring up the score. settling accounts.... My daughter was complaining about how she didn't get a discount on her rent after a friend said she referred her AND a manager called and told her she would get $300 off rent....a different manager told her NO.  Because the friend didn't fill out the referall form correctly.  What??  As my daughter was telling me the story, the Boston Irish in me came out and I wanted to call said manager and tell her what a *#@! she is, but then....and this is pretty amazing for me....but then I thought "no, the UNIVERSE can handle this".  You know why?  Because the Universe can dole out some really nasty shit!  What can I do?  Swear into the phone?  Use my wit and language to come up with some mean, but to the point, derogatory insults?  sure...But the Universe....the Universe takes care of revenge and getting even in a BIG way. I have seen this first hand .  I have seen some terrible things happen to people that have not been very nice to me.  Really awful, life changing things.  And that's sad.  So, I am letting go of anger (yeah right, at least this month ok?) letting go of righting wrongs.  I'm not using my life energy on that pursuit.  I'm gonna just let Good ol' buddy Universe do it's stuff.  I will stand up for my rights, take matters into my own hands when it's logical.  Ask me how this is going in a few months though!

Yoga.  So I have always tried to do yoga and have literally hated it!  Hated the often false, mumbo jumbo breathing crap (all that breathing!) and the little outfits and mats and the stupidly presented calm.  Plus, physically it kills me!  And I am no slump when it comes to athletics.   But....I have this friend.  He is a really awesome person, the 70 side of 60.  I met him in grad school more than 25 years ago and, well, he's one of my favorite people on the planet.  He's an antsy one.  Always on the move, he runs, works out with weights, swims and DOES YOGA.  So, if your friend, a friend whom you love and trust, tells you something is good?  That's right,  You gotta check it out.  I managed to find YOGA I CAN STAND!!  Yoga, I will admit, I actually LOVE!  It's Yoga With Adriene, and I am 10 days into the 30 day yoga challenge.  She's real!!  She's like "yo, dude, we are gonna DO YOGA".  Well, maybe not quite like that, but the presentation fits me, fits what I look for in any fitness instruction, honest, straight forward, no nonsense guidance.  Fabulous personality,Yoga with Adriene works for me.  If you are thinking of adding yoga to your life, check out her youtube channel .  There are a lot of sessions to choose from and they are short and so do-able!  

Happy 2017!  Hope the year is filled with all good things for you!  We will be out playing in the snow, enjoying this beautiful mountain day~ ciao!

Snow, yes please

Some lazy shots (From my window) of the BEAUTIFUL weather and new snow.  Finally, it's winter here!

Mountain Mae

I know you've been missing Mae.  Come on, of course you have!  She, as usual, has been having quite the life...running, hiking, swimming.   But last month she was stung by hornets three different times!  NOT fun.  The last time, we had been out hiking on the mountain and about half an hour after we got home I looked at her and her entire face was swelling!  Luckily a benadryl tablet brought it under control.  But she hid in the closet for the next hour!

The bee-sting lip look?

I've been a bit more careful about avoiding places bees might be, but it's not easy out in the woods.

Today she had her first Mountain Bike training ride, and she did great! Actually, this is the second try.  Last summer we took her out but she didn't get over jumping at the bikes and I wiped out pretty good.  This time I went fast enough that she had to really run to keep up and while she was trying to herd me for the first mile or so, she finally figured out that she could just run ahead or along side and it was a blast!  At last , a way to tire her out that doesn't wear me out first!

Does she look tired?

Blue Sky, Bobcats and UFO's

It's been a busy week or two here.  We've had some beautiful weather and warming temps which have resulted in spring snow conditions.  My husband and I have been able to get up on the mountain, skinning up on our split boards with Mae along of course. 

Just LOVE a blue sky day!

We had two very interesting "sightings" this week.  One was real....I happened to look out the window one morning to see this kitty. It took me a few seconds to realize what I was seeing and when I grabbed my phone to get a photo, well, it wasn't a good shot!  The birdfeeder got in the way, but that is a bobcat!

The other sighting was a bit more dramatic and unreal....ufo's! My husband went out to walk the dog and came back in yelling for me to come outside, there were LIGHTS IN THE SKY!!  Unidentified of course...

a ufo sighting in the mountains

I want to believe!

We watched them for about 15 mins.  There were 5 of them in a line at first, then they changed formation.  We couldn't tell what in the world they were! They were silent, moving together, would disappear and reappear. Other people on the mountain reported seeing them.  Well, it turned out that a group of people staying in a mountain - side residence had let off several Chinese lanterns....I was so disappointed!!  ( Now I know how Mulder feels) It was a lot of fun while it lasted though.

The weather has returned to fog and rain, a bit of snow. It may be awhile before we have another blue sky day.  We are planning on going to a few Seattle Breweries tomorrow for Valentine's beer, I mean Valentine's DAY.  I hope your holiday weekend is a great one!  Did you get outside? Have an adventure?  I hope so!

Morning in the Mountains

No one would ever describe me as a morning person.  But when you wake up in the mountains and get outside to such incredible scenery, well, it certainly wakes you up!  Had a very enjoyable morning walk around the mountains with Mae.  There was sun, blue sky and fresh snow.  A few photos....

The fog is starting to roll in now, which is fairly common here, but we will get out again later for some more snow fun!   Hope your Groundhog day is going well! 

Green Grass

One of the things I truly love about where I live is that I can be on snow, xc skiing, snowboarding or just running around , maybe sitting on a snowbank....

....and then with a 30 minute drive?  I can be in a completely different place, usually 10-20 degrees warmer and the grass is green!  By February the Seattle area has flowering trees and shrubs in bloom, everything is green, though a bit soggy, and it really feels like spring!  But with the snow pack we have this winter, we will be enjoying "winter" sports well into May.  Not a bad deal really.

It was actually a bit warm for her at 50 degrees!  Used to the snow and cold weather.

Stumps

Mae At The Creek

I know it's been awhile and I need to write about the rest of my book list, but I can't resist sharing this photo of Mae checking out the creek.  The weather has been beautiful here!  October!!

Mae at Gold Creek

Days At The Lake

Our lake days are fading fast as the water recedes further and further.  It is used for irrigation east of the mountains and this year with low snow pack, it hasn't filled up as the water is drained out, so, we are about a month ahead with very low water.  However, that doesn't mean that we aren't still enjoying cooling off and paddling around on these very hot days!  And Mae, our 5 month old pup, is especially enjoying it!

I hope that summer is treating you well!  Keep cool and enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday? Our Gorgeous Scenery

Lake Keechelus, Snoqualmie Pass WA

Monday Things, Whidbey Island

Just a few photos from a quick trip over to Whidbey Island we made last week.  Gorgeous Puget Sound day!  It was perfect for walking around Fort Casey~

What February Looks Like

  Well, the ski area has finally thrown in the towel and sent out a message that they are closed until further notice due to lack of snow.  For a place that has an annual snowfall of close to 500 inches, that's just sad and so many other things.

Today it's 56 degrees, partly sunny and looks like this...

Freezing level is around 8000 feet

What should February in the mountains look like?  Well, here are a few shots from seasons past.  

THIS was February 21, 2013

Mt Baker Banked Slalom, February 2013

Mt Baker Banked Slalom, February 8, 2013

This year the Mt. Baker Banked had to be "postponed" for lack of snow.  They are optimistic that a reschedule may happen in March. In the mean time, it's a beautiful day here in the mountains but would be so much more fabulous if there was snow!!!  And while I've been telling my east coast friends to take a run or two for me, and telling all the lucky riders who have snow to whoop it up and think of me, I'm tired of riding in thoughts only.  The real "rub it in" moment came  when I called our dentist today to make an appointment and found out that he won't be available for another week....he's skiing in Idaho!!!  

You got snow?  Lucky!!   What's February look like where you are?

On A Mission, to FIND SNOW

Our snowfall amounts here are still seriously low.  It's rumored that the ski area is going to throw in the towel on the season soon!  Boo hissssss.

My husband went out searching for snow in other places and had a couple of successful snowboarding trips to Mission Ridge over in Wenatchee.  They don't have a great natural snow depth either but.....they make it!  AND, importantly, they GROOM really really well.

blue skies and a view

lunch spot at the top of Mission Ridge

sea of fog below

Four-Letter Word Thursday?

So as an alternative to "wordless Wednesday", I'm offering up 4-letter word Thursday.  And here is my photo .  Caption it RAIN.  What did you think I was going to say?  That's right, I took that today, December 11th.  The Magic Carpet isn't looking very magical, the chairs are stuck in a wan, weary place. My snowboard sits lonely in the garage.  My new snowboard jacket is hanging itself in the closet.  There is NO snow, no snow in the forecast for the next few days at least.  Got another 4-letter word you want to offer up to me?  

Summit at Snoqualmie, December 11 , 2014

Trip to the Coast

Late summer, the final week, and we finally got a mini vacation.  My husband, son and I went to Pacific City / Cape Kiwanda Oregon.  Now, I have to admit that I hate the drive down there.  I-5 South from Seattle is a bland trip no matter what they make it look like in movies!  Heavy traffic in Portland prevented a quick stop to see a new friend.  It's a 6 hour drive and almost every time we do it I complain about how we could fly to Hawaii in that time!  But when you arrive?  Well, Pacific City has just what you need, Pelican Pub and Brewery, a coffee shop of course, a surf shop and a stand with super yummy fish tacos. 

It also has some amazing scenery....

My husband did a lot of surfing but I was left ashore....the waves were several feet overhead.  Too formidable for my beginner surf skills.  We did a lot of beach walking and took in the views.  So wonderful!  

sea stack off the beach in Pacific City

the huge dune on Cape Kiwanda

My son and I exploring below Proposal Rock

The curve of beach at Pacific City from  halfway up the dune

Buh-Bye

Monday morning when I took the dog out it was 42 degrees.  I actually put on my puffy down jacket.  The leaves are changing in the hills.  We had had a few days of rain, mist and clouds.  It's that comfy grey blanket that many of us in the NW like to pull up over ourselves!  It's a "relief", so "relaxing" and we "love it".  Yes, those are the things I heard, this is what we say about the rain.... And just like that, snap!, summer is over.  I'm gonna say, here's your hat, what's your hurry?....Don't let the door hit you on the way out!...It wasn't my favorite summer, that's for sure.  

A few final images of the season , and then?  On to Fall!  I am looking forward to pleasant temps for running, some trips to the coast, flannels and hoodies, just enough sunny days and pumpkin ales!

1956 23-window VW Micro Bus @ Lucky Car Collector Fall Auction

You need rain for rainbows!

Scout, one more stick.  I'm so glad he had this season of fetching sticks in the lake!

No more waiting....they are here!

   

Think Snow

Yeah, yeah, I know it's only August but it's been HOT and smokey and the neighbors are getting restless.  We are all starting to THINK SNOW!

Too early?