Is My Cape Fluttering

After seeing the scenery for the last several miles, I was excited when we entered the canyon. There was so much to see, the weather was warm and there were few people there. The recipe for a perfect hike!

The first thing that struck me was how different this was from our Alpine hikes in the mountains. Now we were hiking the floor of a desert canyon that had a small stream. All around us were rock walls and scrub brush but in this little canyon, there was life... This tree is an unfortunate exception...       S 

I loved that tree! And this one...

As it turned out, the beavers loved some of the trees there too!

We saw a number of dams the little critters had created. There must have been a whole colony of beavers in that canyon!

As the hike continued on, a number of people that had passed us to head up the canyon faster than "Camera girl" were heading back. And they kept saying the same things: "Snakes ahead" or even scarier: "Rattlesnake ahead about 100 yards on your left".  I did not realize this about myself as we were planning this trip... I had hypnotized myself into believing we wouldn't encounter any. Even though I left Maddie at home, I still didn't think we'd see any. So having people say that really began to instill fear in me. I don't have an overt fear of snakes, but there were no snakes in Alaska and damn few at my grandma's house in Oregon, so I don't have a base of childhood experiences with snakes to draw on. I have years of seeing them behind the glass at the zoo! So as we pressed on TOG would reassure with wisdom like "Just remember, a snake can only strike the length of their body so as long as you stay a bodies length away, you'll be fine" or "They only rattle to warn you away, just keep poking your hiking pole in big shrubs and grasses so you don't get surprised"! Believe me, none of this helped and I was feeling pretty skittish in the rocky areas of the canyon!

And then things like this would catch my attention...

And things like this...

I began to calm down (mostly because I hadn't seen or heard a rattler). I even took pictures of flowers!

These are the yellow ones all over the slopes. They look a lot better from a distance in my opinion! Up close they look a bit weed like!

I even took pictures of rocks... (cuz I'm a dork)

Because many of the rocks in eastern Washington are volcanic basalt and look like swiss cheese!

We finally decided to turn and head back. It was hot and we were drinking a lot of our water...and we had a long drive to get home. So there we are strolling all carefree down the canyon when we came upon this...

I was scared spitless. (It was hot, remember) But as it turned out, the snake was dead which was a huge relief to me. I found I did not want to hear a snake rattle, but I was sad that he was dead. He had quite an injury on his side.

We carried on down the trail and TOG was leading. He'd offered to let me lead several times, but I didn't want to be the snake spotter. So as we rounded a corner of the trail TOG was about 2 strides ahead of me when I saw this long shape slither between the two of us! Snake! Reflexively, I screamed and leaped sideways off the trail into the brush. TOG planted his hiking poles and pole vaulted forward about 8 feet, landing in time to turn and see the snake slither into the underbrush. My heart was pounding at this time. We were both laughing about how "the snake spotter" stepped right over a snake leaving his wife to sound the alarm!

We were almost back to the head of the canyon when TOG took the following pictures...

And the close up...

Pardon the bright red cheeks... I was a little warm! It was about 85 degrees in the canyon! Thankfully, I brought spare clothes to change into on the way back so I didn't have to ride home all sweaty!

Because this has gotten so long, I'll just show you a couple more pics from the way home...

The Kittitas Valley with the Stewart range in the background...

And the wind power on the slopes... TOG informs me that each blade is 100 feet long. I had the lens on full zoom trying to get this shot, we were so far away. I was wishing I'd brought my telephoto!

Thanks for coming with me! It's been fun sorting through 130 photos trying to find the best ones! And for Lauren, this drive... about 2.5 hours from our house to the canyon. We could probably do it in two hours without all the potty breaks and stopping for food!

Asthmagirl out!

As we came down out of the pass, the views were amazing! I love the openess of Eastern Washington... however the mountains still had one last view for us...

The Stewart Range! For all you Earth Day buffs, this range is the largest above ground granite deposit in the US. That's a lot of counter tops! Stewart Mountain is the tallest peak on the left. I loved the view so much...

 ...I shot it through the rear window as we passed it! Don't laugh... you would have done the same thing!

From there, the vista opened up a lot more as we entered a grassy plateau...

Then we began to descend into the valley.

You can see the hills become more sage brush-y!

Some of the hillsides were covered in a multitude of these yellow flowers.

And I saw one winery. Cathy, I'm almost positive it was a winery. I told myself I would remember the name and I think it was "Rocky Cove".

We finally arrived at the canyon. Hat, check. UV shirt and sunscreen, check. Bug spray, check! Hiking poles for fending off snack attacks, check! 

 As we began walking into the canyon, I couldn't help but notice the rocky outcroppings on the canyon walls above us. I quickly became a fan!

 I wasn't in Western Washington anymore, Aunty Em!

Tomorrow, we'll see all the surprises the canyon has in store for us! Did someone say Rattlesnakes?

We left for our hike early Sunday morning. I'd suggested to TOG that we might drive over the night before but he wanted to do the whole thing in one day. I also campaigned to bring my little Maddie, my hiking buddy, but we were both worried about the rattlesnakes and so we left her safely in Seattle with the rest of the brutes!

Our first pit stop was for breakfast right at the base of the pass. I stopped to take a picture of Mt. Si. Long time readers may remember the hike that totally kicked my butt last year. Where we turned back half way up the 5 out of 5 difficulty trail? Yeah... This is a pic of Mt. Si, home of the most difficult trail I've tried.... I've cleverly placed an arrow at the half way point where I threatened to heave TOG over the side if we didn't head back to the truck told TOG the lungs were toast and I needed to turn back... It's that little shoulder of the mountain there!

From there we headed up the pass and started getting into the snow!

As we got close to the summit, there was a large amount of snow on the side of the road... Looks like it will be quite some time before we can even drive to the trail heads much less hike up into the mountains.

We also caught a pretty good view of one of the ski areas. I hear that snow skiing is pretty much over but the snow boarders are still hitting it!

The lake at the top of the pass is still mostly frozen over.... ice and snow as far as the eye can see. Elevation is around 3100 feet. You wouldn't know there's a lake under there!

Once you come down from the pass, you realize you're not in Western Washington anymore. The trees are smaller and fewer and far between...

The vista is starting to open up... Tomorrow's post will find us with some excellent views of the countryside.  We'll also be starting our hike up the canyon. An adventure awaits!

We woke up yesterday morning with the last of our season tickets staring us in the face. We decided to try making it to the game... Why was this even a decision? Because it was supposed to stop snowing, and it hadn't. And because we'd broken one of TOG's chains the day before and were down to one. We would have to rely on public transportation.

Let me explain... I realize that in other parts of the county (certainly in Alaska where I grew up), this snow is nothing. But here in Seattle, we have our own snow plan. If it snows, one of our three vintage plows will try to clear a path from City Hall to I-5, the main freeway between Canada and Mexico. And then we wait, because it will all melt in a day or so anyway. In the meantime, our citizens will bundle up and try to sled on practically bare pavement on one of Seattle's many hills and mass quantities of cocoa and lattes are consumed. Alternatively, bystanders will bundle up and watch drivers try to get their cars up one of Seattle's many steep ass hills. Occasionally, if they think the driver has a fighting chance, they'll help push, but mostly they try to stay out of the way as it comes sliding back down. For Seattle-ites, snow is like a festival once every two years or so. Buses go on snow routes and the state patrol advises folks to stay home and quit leaving their cars all over the roads.

So, when newcomers ask "where are your snow plows" or "why aren't you spreading sand or salt" or even "how can an entire city come to a standstill like this" they don't understand the plan... which is basically 'enjoy it while you can and wait it out'. We don't have a multitude of plows or a mountain of sand here in the lowlands. We have rain... which usually provides a quick death to those hastily assembled snowmen in the front yard!

Thus, when we decided to fight the existing snow and below freezing temperatures to try to make it to the game...we knew it would be "a long day".

Here's where we started... waiting at the train station. Not snowing yet...

After the storm, but before the fresh snow.

We weren't able to get on the trains. They were full by the time they got to our stop. Full. They could barely shut the doors. Everyone decided to ride the train. Plan B... find the Seahawk shuttle bus and ride that.

Here we are on the shuttle bus... this was on the way to I-5 and before the chain broke...

You probably can't see how hard it was snowing. We thought it would stop any minute...

Here we are stopped on I-5. Yes. The driver stopped the bus on I-5 and GOT OUT to check the broken chain that was beating the hell out of the bus. Dude. It's a freeway. You don't GET OUT on the snowy freeway. One person losing control and sliding into you...

Can you see how hard it's snowing? So... once wasn't enough... he stopped the bus again in Seattle. That was before the chain completely broke and fell off. We're late for the game, but we make it...

That mist... that's the snow. It wasn't supposed to... but it snowed. And snowed. And snowed.

    Here's the field before they started scraping the yard lines. Note the big ring of snow around the edge. That was like 4 feet high.

Here's what the freeway and ramps were looking like.

This is the train station.

During the game TOG and I decided that although we had return tickets on both the train and the bus shuttle, we would take the train. The freeway was looking really bad, and the shuttle bus had already lost a chain... plus we weren't sure where to catch it because they'd dropped us off in the wrong place. So after the game, we headed for the train station. It was 27 degrees. We waited for 2 hours. The trains didn't come. Because the switches on the tracks were frozen. They couldn't get the trains switched over to the main tracks. They had to send a guy out with a blow torch to thaw the tracks. We caught the last train going south.

Once we got back to our station, we still had to hike to where we left the truck for the shuttle. It was getting really cold and snowing hard. Plus the snow was getting deeper. Here I am following TOG. He's in this picture somewhere, but I can't see him...

Finally we reached the truck...

After we made it back up the hill to our house, it snowed some more. A lot more. All night. Remember yesterday's photo of the back yard...? With the drifts?

This was this morning at 5 am...

It's after 7 now and it's still snowing.

I'm ready for it to stop.

Asthmagirl out...

Yesterday, was yet another football game. TOG was working so my friend Tammy was nice enough to go with me! As you can see the weather was beautiful...

Not very warm. But beautiful!

As we left the field and made our way to the elevator for the express to the nose bleed section (where our seats are!)... Guess who we saw? YES! Really! It was so odd... I couldn't find him for two games and then I bumped right into him! Hawk Daddy and Mini Hawk!

I like the green shirts better than the white shirts! Word on the street is that he's going to be giving out blue candy canes next month!

Finally got up to the top level and this is the view that greeted us...

The mountains were beautiful! The cranes? Not so much!

We had a great time watching the game however I busted out the camera at one point and you know what? It's easy to take a bad picture of yourself! Here's the proof! Nostril shot anyone?

Fortunately, I redeemed myself just moments later!

Even though we lost, it was a really fun day with good friend!

Now for some updates... Pay it foward gifts are going out today. I didn't get them finished until Friday and then packed up Saturday and then the post office closed 10 minutes before I was finished addressing them. So today for sure!

On the cooking blog... a twist on something traditional for your thanksgiving! And easy to make! Enjoy!

Asthmagirl out!

PS I tok K3 to see Twilight again last night. It was definitely better the second time for me!

Now that I've gotten the election reporting out of my system, it's back to the football game last Sunday!

So the other meeting I had during the football game was one I'd been trying to set up for a while. It started with this post... when I saw this picture in the paper...

A few weeks after posting that, I got an email...

 

For most people, one brush with royalty would be enough. But Asthmagirl lives a rather charmed life...

...And yesterday she was fortunate enough to encounter (wait for it....)

The Baron! In person!

Yes! The Baron! Beloved Spouse of the Baroness!

It goes without saying that she found him utterly charming and marvelously witty. However she must apologize for the poor quality of the photography. The Baron's butler seemed a little challenged by the camera, poor chap.

Unfortunately, The Baroness was unavailable, having deemed a football game far too boisterous for her to enjoy. I believe she was visiting with the Macys... or was it the Nordstroms? 

This was not the only encounter Asthmagirl enjoyed at the football game. Tomorrow's post brings yet another celebrity sighting!

Asthmagirl out!

Off to the football game today! I love going and look forward to the experience, but it is a whole day event, from packing the camera and the game bag to dressing for the weather, catching the train, finding food....the game...catching the train, driving home... it can be exhausting!

I just wanted to share a couple of pictures from the last game. This is Taima, the hawk...

He and his handler come across the mountains for each game. His job is to excite the fans. He draws folks like crazy!

His main function? He leads the team onto the field by flying out of the tunnel ahead of the players!

The roar of the crowd is deafening... he hangs with the players until the very last minute then he's released... and the crowd goes wild! The players run behind him... the fireworks go off! And he's cool as a cucumber as he heads for his handler!

So yeah... I'm excited to go. A little less so than usual however. I heard from the Baroness last night. She's in town. The Baron is going to the game, but the Baroness will be taking in some retail therapy during the game. Since this is one of the last games TOG can go to this year (his schedule is changing) I'm really committed to going with him. So no Baroness for me this time. I may however try to find the Baron!

Asthmagirl out!

I'm feeling a little festive. Football season is well underway... I've started my Holiday shopping (sick, sick person) and the leaves have begun to turn! I'm even pondering new soups...

Last weekend, as I was downloading my game photos, I began to casually peruse my photos from last football season, I came upon this... Remember this?

Yes, I was sick as two dogs and sporting a pasty white finish, but this robust fellow was very festive and I did wonder occasionally where he got the Seahawk ensemble. As you can see, it's one of a kind.

So... 9 months later (there's a catchy phrase!) I'm looking through the newspaper at the photos from last Sunday's game. Have a look at this guy....!

This is [clearly] Hawk Daddy. Check out the glasses... and the material of his lovely jacket... A coincidence? I think not! And someone sews like a demon, because his ensembles are NOT off the rack at the Seahawk Pro Shop! (otherwise I might have been tempted!)

Another thing worth noting... the ensemble Hawk Baby is wearing... matches perfectly. The Seattle Times also revealed that this gentlemen buys a second seat for Hawk Baby. I have to admire that kind of attention to detail. And the shirt and tie combos...

What do you think? Have I got it right? Is this the same guy? And is he a rabid fan or is he quirky? Charming? Unique?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Auto set to post Tuesday at 5:10 am.

It was Canada Day at the Seahawks game Sunday. You sent some Mounties to visit! I love their outfits!

I can't remember the name of the singers who did your national anthem... was it Destino? Possibly the only time Asthmagirl has cried during the Canadian anthem... (although she's a prolific crier during the US anthem, as well as the coin toss where the sick young kids come down on the field to be honorary co-captains during the toss. And they walk out into the middle of the field with Hasselbeck and Tatupu and Wahle... and they look so tiny next to these huge guys... Asthmagirl melts like a Popsicle on a hot summer day...) 

(Actually it was Destino! Asthmagirl looked up their myspace... http://www.myspace.com/destinotenors)

Anyways... here's a close up of your mounties....

Tres Magnifique!

Now this part is for the Baroness... recall our comments last week? Non?

Apparently it's a race for the end zone! Go Baroness! Go!

Yea! You did end up winning! The person in the red ball did not fare so well and you beat him handily. Once in the end zone, the helpers unzip the balls and the racers hop out! Possibly to be popped into an oxygen tent?

Stay tuned... Asthmagirl has searched through her archives and found a mystery that must be solved!

Asthmagirl out!