Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
The day after Thanksgiving we went for a drive to Federation Forest and found the evergreens dusted with snow. It was an unexpected but pleasant surprise.
It was also a surprise to find the gate to the park locked. But no matter; we left our car by the side of the road and were welcomed into the woods by the resident ranger. And though the trails were covered in snow it was mostly dry and crunchy beneath our feet.
This was only our second time to Federation Forest; the first time was earlier in the spring (here) when wildflowers adorned the trails. No wildflowers this time but there was a quiet mystery as the forest rested in the snow.
In addition to old growth Douglas-fir, Western Red Cedar, Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock, we enjoyed glimpses of the White River, which flows from Emmons Glacier on nearby Mt Rainier.
It was a wonderful walk in a winter wonderland.
For Sunday Stills, ‘Chills.‘
~ Susanne
The White Stuff
None currently in the Great Northwest. No snow that is. So for Cees’ Fun Foto Challenge I had to look elsewhere for white and found it to be in short supply.
But then I remembered the picture I took in Carmel last month of the white cabbage butterfly.
And the snowberry out front, a native plant here in the Pacific Northwest whose little berries do indeed look like snowballs.
Still looking for white I found these trees standing out from their surroundings
and this one on my walk at Coulon Park, waving at me as if to say, ‘I’m here, include me too.’
And finally because I really do love the white stuff I’ll close with some pictures of Benji enjoying the snow earlier this year.
And that will do..
~ Susanne
A Tale of Turkey Day from Long, Long Ago
You may remember this Thanksgiving story from long, long ago…
* * * * * * * *
When I was growing up my favorite part of Thanksgiving was not the turkey. Neither was it the dressing which is my favorite today but wasn’t then. What I remember most are the hors d’oeuvres and the wine flips and the trip downtown for football. I’ll explain.
First the hors d’oeuvres, which is not only the hardest thing to spell, but also may be too grand a word for what we made. We started with crackers, then applied, even squirted on, the cheese. Next we added tiny meats like salami and pepperoni, which we followed up with olives and pickles, then used a toothpick to hold the tower together. We placed them on a tray and delivered them to our guests in style and when it was empty we ran back to the kitchen to build the next batch until all the components were gone. Tasty little treats they were.
But dinner was not yet, for while the turkey was in the oven, my sisters drove us to Seattle’s Memorial Stadium for Turkey Day, to watch their high school football team, the Chief Sealth Seahawks, play in the championship game. And I – a mere little sister – got to tag along with them and their friends. I loved every minute I was in the presence of those confident teenage girls and couldn’t wait to be their age.
The ride home was exhilarating if we won, as we shouted out the windows to the losers driving by, “Seahawks Rule!” Whatever the kids from other cars would yell back, we would always counter with, “who won the game?” and that would silence them.
I remember the year Chief Sealth lost to the Roosevelt Roughriders, 10 to 7.
The ride home was quiet and we rolled up our windows. But by the time we made it back home, the sting of the loss was over, the turkey was ready and its fragrance filled the air. As we ate our dinner, mom pulled out the special beaded wine glasses and filled ours with 7-Up and a splash of wine, turning our drink a lovely pink (promise not to tell.) Next year we said.
~ Susanne
Of Cats and Gardens
I couldn’t pass up the chance to share a few of my favorite photos in response to Sunday Still’s Photo Challenge.
I’ll start with a picture of sweet Benji on my lap in the garden. Yes, it’s the same one that made it into the 2020 International Cat Care Calendar and I anxiously await my copy.
It was tough explaining to Tiger why I didn’t submit a picture of him too but I think he understands. Next time.
The roses have gone to sleep now but they were so vibrant earlier this summer.
The bees are long gone too now that their work is done.
But the hummingbirds remain and I continue to feed them. They are grateful as am I.
~ Susanne
Close up on Hydrangeas
Even as we count down to winter there is still much color to be found in the fall garden; look no further than the hydrangeas.
~ Susanne
Mornings with Benji – a Cat Story
“Time to get up Benji.”
“Not yet Sue. I’m still tired.”
“Please don’t make it difficult Benji. I need to make the bed.”
“Why? You’re just going to mess it up again tonight.”
“Benji, I don’t have time to argue with you. Please. Move. Now.”
“Okay, you don’t have to be so grouchy about it. I’ll move if you promise to get my breakfast.”
“Yes of course Benji. Same as every day.”
~ Susanne and Benji
Squirrels Just Wanna Have Fun
~ Susanne
Red! A Photo Challenge
It’s a gray and rainy day in the Pacific Northwest with many more to come. What better time to jump into a photo challenge and brighten things up with some red?
Not my car but isn’t it great? We found it at a classic car meet at Mud Mountain Dam over the summer.
Need a place to stay for the night? Check out the red caboose on the way to Mt. Rainier.
It’s not even winter yet but I’m already looking forward to visiting the tulip fields next spring, hopefully on a clear day when Mt. Baker pops its head above the Skagit Valley.
My last splash of red comes from Victoria’s Chinatown in Fan Tan Alley.
For Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, Red.
~ Susanne
Can I Get You a Towel?
Happy Monday from Benji!
~ Susanne
Three Port Towns – Two Days!
Yes, it can be done! Quite easily in fact if you live in Seattle. We were looking for a quick getaway and decided on Port Townsend, a charming Victorian seaport on the Olympic Peninsula. We headed north to Edmonds to take the ferry to Kingston. It was a beautiful day for a ferry ride.
On the other side, just before the Hood Canal Bridge, we visited another port town – Port Gamble.
Port Gamble
A National Historic Landmark – Port Gamble is the quintessential company town. The Pope and Talbot sawmill was founded here in 1853 and operated until 1995. The mill is gone but the town remains with its perfectly manicured streets, quaint houses and tiny shops.
After walking through town I was drawn to the cemetery by a large bird I saw perched on a treetop high above. It was a Golden Eagle, the first I’ve ever seen in the wild. It seemed to watch over the graves and tombstones of the early city pioneers.
When it finally flew away, it was time for us to move on to our destination for the night.
Port Townsend
On the National Register of Historic Places, Port Townsend has also been named one of the ‘Coolest Small Towns in America’ by Budget Travel, Fox News, NBC News and Yahoo Travel. I agree. Once speculated to become the largest harbor on the west coast its destiny changed when the railroads stopped short of their planned expansion. It’s now noted for its charming waterfront, maritime history and Victorian buildings.
We arrived in the early afternoon and settled into our hotel, then explored the town, its waterfront and shops. As usual I supported the local economy by bringing home some things from my favorite boutiques.
The next day we went west for our final port town on the peninsula, Port Angeles.
Port Angeles
Though Port Angeles lacks the charm of Port Townsend and Port Gamble it has something they don’t: it’s the gateway to Olympic National Park. (It also has the ferry to Victoria as you can see from the map above but that’s another story.)
We took the scenic drive to Hurricane Ridge for the best views of the Olympic Mountains in the park.
After a short hike we returned to town for lunch before heading home.
As promised, we covered three port towns in 2 days and returned happy and refreshed.
So can you! 🙂
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 