A parade and a play

July 4, 2014

Susan agreed to a bike ride this morning, so we saddled up (Susan, needless to say, loaded all the emergency essentials) and we headed out. We would first make our way to the condo for a miscellaneous chore, then meander to O'Grady's at Sleeping Lady for lunch. We stopped at the tree overloaded with cherries.

Juicy, ripe cherries

As we cycled out of town, and were passing by the bike shop (Rad Haus) there was a parade forming.

Gearing up and decorating for the parade

A Parade for the 4th of July -- let's join in!

The kids were having so much fun

 

Line up -- almost ready to start

We got a few streamers from the decorating box and joined the kidsfest bike parade -- just because.

Parade ended at the gazebo in town where there were lots of games and booths set up

 

I wore the streamers for the whole day and got lots of smiles and waves

Our regular route through Sleeping Lady resort gave us level, paved trails to enjoy, and a few sights to ogle.

Sculpted into the rock

 

The chipmunk posed for us and stayed with us for a visit

 

Close up

 

Stopped at the interesting gazebo at the organic garden

 

Fishermen beware warning?

We enjoyed lunch and a bit of shopping (we each bought a sun hat) at O'Grady's before heading home. Once home we relaxed and gathered energy for staying awake for the evening play (we are such early to bed people!).

The outdoor theatre is half a mile from the house, so we could walk up and avoid the traffic. Susan carries our gear!

Photos are not allowed during the play, so I got a few beforehand. Many of the cast members serve as ushers to show you to your seat. We had Sister Mary Hilda show us to our perfect middle aisle seats just five rows up from the stage.

Sister Mary Welcoming

They look like "real" nuns

One of the Von Trapp "daughters"

The butler

Tonight was the 300th performane for Mother Abbess (on the right)

The performers were fantastic, the music was wonderful -- I spent the next few hours humming the songs -- and the evening was perfect.

A different, memorable and fun July 4th.

 

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A calm and relaxing day

July 3, 2014

After breakfast we joined Mary on her morning dog walking trek. There is a myriad of trails at Ski Hill, used for hiking and mountain biking at this time of year, and for cross country skiing in snow season. As well, there is downhill skiing with rope tows to get you to the top of the slopes. Also, there are ski jumps, the smaller of which Mary has had thoughts she would do one year -- which year is yet to be determined, and the dream, she says, becomes dimmer with time ;'-)

Sisters at the start of our walk

Discussing sisterly things

Mary tells me to be sure that she empties her pockets before I take her photo, especially from behind!

 

We reached the ski hills and the entrance to the venue for "Sound of Music", and Susan gave us a rendition of dancing with the hills that are alive with music.

Not the actual stage or setting, but we are in the hills. Julie Andrews has nothing over Susan.

Swing time overlooking the ski slopes.

I am thrilled that Susan got tickets for the show for Friday night (the 4th). I have been wanting to go to this for years of coming here, and finally we will. It is opening night and they have plenty of available tickets.

 

We wandered home and decided to go into town for a bit. I biked to meet Susan at Mary's condo (about 2.5 miles away!). Susan had to hit her normal haunts (outdoor stores) to be sure she does not miss a potential sale of something. After relaxing (some more) and reading, it was time to head back for our planned dinner outing. We took Mary and Phil to dinner in Cashmere to a place we had discovered on a bike trip while here years ago. It has different owners and a different name, but remains a great place for a steak!

Riding back to the house I couldn't resist this sign

There was "discussion" of whether having "share the road" signs are necessary or helpful. Shouldn't it be natural and a no brainer to share the road with other vehicles and pedestrians, and for those who do not naturally do it, do these signs actually do anythng to change that behavior? I guess my place in this debate is that the signs serve as a reminder for some and news for others that there are these modes of transportation on these particular roads, and to be aware of those that may not be in clear sight. Kind of a wake up and look around you rather than blissfully thinking the road is yours alone as a car driver. There are more and more cars and more and more cyclists and other users on the road than there were years ago when time and speed were slower and more relaxed. So I like the signs being there.

Once home, Susan and Phil tried some kite flying.

Susan gets the kite in the air.

Thus ended another fine day of shared time and activity as well as relaxation and quiet time.

 

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Biking (more like climbing) and fishing (more like catching)

July 2, 2014

I thought it would be good to have a photo for the blog of the City sign, with its special lettering. As I was stopped and taking this photo a woman who was on her morning jog appoached. She slowed way down and said "I must ask -- why are you taking a picture of a garbage can?". So here we are with a photo of a City of Leavenworth garbage can. It's the lettering I wanted ;'-). And throughout my ride it was the only can that I saw with this lettering. Must be a communtiy thing.

 

Susan loves fishing over here because she "catches". She and Mary drove up the Icycle (I prefer this as a spelling rather than the real Icicle) Road for a hiking and fishing outing. Mary would rather do the kind of fishing that results in catching bigger fish -- the size that makes a good dinner. Susan is happy to simply catch -- and she got five on this outing -- no matter the size, as she releases once caught. She likes the sport. They were out all day and had a good time and Mary had a "fish on" at least once! They enjoyed the four mile hike as they made their way around the loop, fishing as they went.

I, of course, went for a bike ride. UP the Icycle Road.

Starting from the house, it is a pleasant ride on quiet roads, skirts dowtown and leads to the back road taking me to the fish hatchery and to Icycle. This first 5 or so miles are rather flat, or at the most, slightly rolling.

 

A country scene along the way

 

Old farm machinery never dies, it becomes a hanger for mail boxes

I took a side spur that did not indicate a dead end, but the huge sign at the end of the road PRIVATE PROPERTY KEEP OUT NO TRESPASSING THIS MEANS EVERYBODY stopped me at an overlook at the river before retracing to the main road.

This scene could be right out of Huckleberry Finn

 

SUPs on the flowing river. A new breed of Huckleberry Finns

I wandered through the Hatchery but saw no fish. There are outdoor performances at the stage here in the summer months. Susan and I once tried to go to one, but they were sold out. Perhaps we will make it someday.

 

Theatre seating. I assume you bring your own chair

The stage for current play (I don't know what that is)

The "fun" part was now over. Once I rounded past Sleeping Lady Resort, the climbing would soon begin. The first mile or so was a teaser with fairlly flat terrain and some views worth stopping for.

See the raging river on the left side

 

More of the raging river

 

Raging river raging DOWNhill. Let this be a clue

I had a brief snack here, then once mounted I would not stop until the end. I feared that if I stopped I would not get back on to keep heading UP. Ten miles of 1400 feet elevation gain, 96 degree heat, and add chipseal road surface. Gruelling. At every bend in the road I thought perhaps the sign would be there telling me the paved road was ended. Then at the next bend I would think, if this is not it, maybe I will turn around and head back. Then I started my mantra learned from my friend Dan Urich --- "pain is weakness leaving the body". This got me several miles more. Then it was "why am I doing this???". But I could not give up the challenge. I had to finish to the end.

AND THEN...

I threw up my arms in HALLELUJAH

I made it! I (almost) threw down my bike and found a big rock to sit and have the last bits of my snacks and contemplate the completion of my self-imposed challenge, as well as the fact that my water was low -- and tepid by this point. From the dirt road -- heading down the hill -- a jeep stopped and the guy rolled down the window yelling "can I offer you a cold water?". HUH?! OH YEAH! Nice guy from Kirkland said he was impressed that I (all lone) made it up this road, and that he was getting tired just looking at me.

I was indeed monstrously slow up this "mountain" as, although I did not exactly time it, it took me a little more than two hours to make those 10 miles! At one of the steepest grades my odometer showed 2.7!!! As one might conclude, it was a grand downhill run back to Sleeping Lady where I stopped for a cold drink, some food and more ice water. I could not freewheel down with abandon becuase of potholes that could potentially fling me from the saddle. I did cautious freewheeling with my eye on the road to avoid such catastrophe and that was fast enough. Remember the two hours to get to the top? Getting back down was about 45 minutes.

Once home, cooled down, showered and rested, I felt the glow of accomplishment. Susan, Mary and I shared our stories of the day and each of us had our joys. It was a grand day.

 

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Leavenworth is next

July 1-?

Not sure how long we will stay in Leavenworth, taking good advantage of Mary and Phil's generous hospitality. We arrived in time for a scrumptious grilled salmon dinner enjoyed on the deck with beautiful views of the mountains (pictures to come later as I did not take any at the time).

After dinner Mary and Phil went off to a "local" baseball game in Wenatchee, and Susan and I took a walk into and around town.

A delightful little wayside a few blocks from Phil's house with dense flower hanging

As we strolled through town we saw that these flower hangings -- of petunias -- are hung all through town.

 

Near the small golf course in town are the roaming mountain goats

 

 

A little further on we spotted what is the best gate there can be!

The best gate!

 

Susan had to check to see if it was a Brooks saddle aboard

Look closely and you can faintly see another bike hanging on the outbuilding behind the blue vehicle.

The only cloud in the sky -- resembles one of those fish skeletons (at least to us)

We returned "home" to our comfy "B&B" at Mary and Phil's and found Dippy the cat relaxing in one of her favorite spots.

Dippy has found the best place to be in the air conditioning on this 90 degree day

 

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Our summer 2014 jaunts begin

La Push -- June 24-26

A family outing to the wild north shore was fun for all of us.

Susan got to fly the kite her brother Bill had given her

 

Lucy got to run away from the big ones

 

Jaydon got to dance with the waves

 

Lucy got to do her own dancing (before being knocked over from behind by one of those big ones.

 

We all got to climb and visit the hugemongous (Lucy's word) trees washed up on the beach

Camping Cabins is what they are called, and, for us they are a giant step up from camping.

Susan relaxes in the bed on the main floor, the ladder on the wall leads to the sleeping loft above.

The cabins are small but accommodated us rather well, had running water (no not however), bathroom, and kitchen with hotplate. Jaydon's highlight was the loft -- which I think was Sarah's lowlight.

We were located at "First Beach", and spent a lot of time wandering the beach and biking to the playground and on short trails around the cabin.

The seagull took advantage of a Fisherman's debris (left, I am sure for this very reason)

 

Time to explore a different beach, so we drove the short distance to "Second Beach" and hiked the mile long trail down to the ocean.

Jaydon and Lucy felt a need to carry and use my trekking poles

 

 

Jaydon finds it hard to leave his ball and glove behind

 

Sea anemones offered Lucy some experience

 

Touching them makes the curl up which startled Lucy

 

There was a beach offering tree on the trail as we neared the beach. I found a stone to add on the way back.

Exhausting the beach activities, it was time to head home and for a stop at the Olympic Game Farm. This is where many Disney movies were shot and where many of the animals were trained for such movies. Now it serves as a rescue farm for many, if not all, of the animals, and cars drive through to view and feed them (if you choose). The predators are kept in cages, and the bears are fenced in away from people but they wave and greet drivers. The bears, of all the animals look lethargic and sad to me, so I have not included any photos of them.

Zebras are a bit far from us and did not approach

 

Many of the other animals approach the cars and ask for treats

Jaydon and Lucy had such fun feeding them (whole wheat bread only!) through the car window.

Peacocks were an attraction

And there is a petting farm

A fun few days spent on the coast as we begin our summer.

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