Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Rhapsody in the Clouds
Clouds. If you live in the Pacific Northwest it is likely that you have seen them, perhaps more often than you wish. But have you really seen them? Tonight I looked up and found them awesome and full of splendor.
So the next time you go outside, look up. And marvel.
~ Susanne
Awakened by Chain Saws
It’s the beginning of the end for the Tiffany Park Woods. The logging has begun.
Honestly I didn’t venture into the woods often though others did: neighbors, dog walkers, and boys playing army. I suspect most of these grew up in the neighborhood and knew the woods like an old friend. Still, I loved knowing they were there and enjoyed the peaceful backdrop they provided to my home and others. And I appreciated the visiting birds and deer who lived there.
For the past few years many tried to have the woods preserved but to no avail. The twenty-two acres were sold and a large housing development would take their place. So we have been waiting.
Finally this morning we woke to the hum of the chain saws telling us the work had begun. The distant whine of the saws will grow louder each day until most of the woods are gone.
We’ve been promised that the trees in back of us will be retained as part of a wide buffer against the houses that will be built. We’re thankful for whatever trees remain.
But we will miss the full loveliness of the woods we once enjoyed.
~ Susanne
Happy Monday from Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Cats
After waking up all groggy and sleepy-eyed I ended up in my office with my morning coffee for a quiet time. Tiger joined me and appreciated having the prime real estate to himself since Benji was outside. He asked for nothing more than a little love and attention which I gladly gave.
Soon contented, he sprawled out among his toys for a morning nap without fear of the little one’s harassment.
Trails
After I was revived Bob and I went for a morning walk at our favorite local park where all was cool yet sunny, vibrant, and clear.
Garden
After our walk, I visit the garden. It’s early but the herbs are already cheerful and bright and loads of strawberries have set on and should ripen soon.
Cats Revisited
As I write this it’s now Benji’s turn in the office but he prefers sleeping in the chair and that puts a big smile on my face..
and his too.
Happy Monday from Cats and Trails and Garden Tales!
~ Susanne
Tiger Friend
A friend listens though may not always have answers. Isn’t that good enough?
Just for fun for the Photo Challenge Prompt.
~ Susanne and Tiger
Road Trip to Wenatchee
One thing I like about living in Washington State is its diverse geography. Here on the west side of the Cascade Mountains you can easily see why Washington is called the Evergreen State with its thick stands of Douglas fir, mossy temperate rainforest and plenty of rainfall. But head east and cross that dividing mountain range and you are in a sunny land of gold and brown, of orchards and ranches, and wide open spaces besides.
This week we made the trek to the other side over Stevens Pass, headed east for Wenatchee. We follow along the Skykomish River and take in the views of dramatic Mt. Index.
Further up the road we stop by Deception Falls and are awed by the powerful water crashing down and inches below us under the footbridge where we’re standing.
We cross over a dry Stevens Pass (elev. 4,061 ft) where skiing is done for the season but snow patches still remain. On the other side we find the Wenatchee River flowing heavy, deep, and wide with snowmelt .
After lunch in Leavenworth we arrive in Wenatchee and find another mighty river flowing.
Roll on Columbia!
The terrain changes from the dark green of the Cascades to the brown and gold and rust of the foothills flanking the Columbia River to the east.
The Columbia is the largest and most important river in the Pacific Northwest and when measured by discharge into the Pacific Ocean, the largest in North America. It starts north from British Columbia, flows down through Washington State and forms the border with Oregon on its way to the Pacific.
Ohme Gardens
We take in Ohme Gardens in Wenatchee, which stands in stark contrast to the dry surrounding hills. The land was originally purchased by Herman Ohme in 1929 for an orchard and included this dry and craggy bluff. Herman and his wife Ruth, decided to turn the land into their own paradise complete with evergreen trees, rock gardens, pools and stone features. After many years in the family, Washington State Parks purchased Ohme Gardens in 1991.
We tour the gardens stopping to admire the flowers and pools and to rest on stone benches.
It’s hard to imagine the amount of labor needed to turn this desert bluff into a lush alpine garden, but it was a labor of love for the Ohmes; transplanting evergreens, hauling native stone and replacing desert sage with alpine flowers and ground covers.
After a full day of travel and exploration we stop for the night. The next day we visit downtown Wenatchee and take a walk along the Columbia,
finding interesting sculptures like this one called PED.
After a bit of shopping we’re ready to head back to the west side, this time over Blewett Pass, where golden hills and farms and orchards and ranches eventually give way once again to the Cascade mountains and home.
~ Susanne
The Tree
Tonight before sunset I visited one of my favorite trees in the park nearby and found it standing proudly against the clouds.
Looking forward to a change in the weather after a week of too hot and dry.
~ Susanne
Weary of the Sunshine
“Benji,” I said. “What are you doing under there? It must be the weather, huh? ”
“Catchin’ some shade,” he said. “It’s too hot for me. The sun penetrates my fur and slows me down. Zaps all my strength. Like this,” he said.
“Oh Benji, I understand, ” I replied. “I’m feeling rather lethargic myself with these temperatures in the eighties. We’re just not used to it anymore.”
“True, ” he said. “But I still have more energy than you do because I’m a cat and I have youth on my side. Wanna see?”
“Okay, Benji, yes. You made your point. You still got it.”
~Susanne and Benji
Thinking Cat Thoughts
~Benji
Day Trip to Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge
We often neglect the things in our own backyard as being too local or too familiar. And so it was for me with the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge which I had passed by many, many times on my way to somewhere else.
“Someday,” I would say to my husband Bob, “we’ll have to stop.”
But we never did. All these years. Until today. After being sick and housebound all week, Bob was desperate to get out and enjoy the summer weather we were having. The Nisqually Wildlife Refuge would be perfect for a day trip and simple hike. After stopping by our favorite coffee shop (you know the one) we headed south for the hour drive to the Refuge.
A little background first for those of you unfamiliar with the Nisqually. There is a big beautiful mountain in our neck of the woods which has more glaciers than any other peak in the continental United States. One of those glaciers on Mt. Rainier is the Nisqually, the source of the river that flows from the mountain into Puget Sound, forming the rich Nisqually River Delta. The Glacier and River were named after the Nisqually Tribe who have lived in this area for thousands of years.
The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1974 to protect the delta and its diverse fish and wildlife habitats. It was renamed in 2015 to honor Billy Frank Jr., a Nisqually Indian activist for Native American rights, who played an important role in getting treaty fishing rights restored to local tribes.
We arrive at the Refuge and after browsing through the Visitor Center, take the Twin Barns Loop Trail, an easy boardwalk through riparian forest. Here we are dwarfed by enormous maple trees which overshadow us. The air is warm and fragrant, and rich in the chatter of birdsong. The peace is pervasive.
The boardwalk continues through the Refuge to several overlooks including the Nisqually River Overlook below.
Further down the trail we meet a photographer who shows us pictures he took of baby Great Horned Owls. He’s carrying two large cameras, binoculars and a tripod. I’m carrying my new and much smaller camera but am not skilled, nor patient enough to photograph birds – yet. I am content rather to watch them flit through the brush and listen to their music and luxuriate under the tree canopy. I do manage to photograph more sedentary fauna and flora including this turtle..
and these cattails releasing their seeds from velvety tops.
The Loop Trail was enough for today and we were both rejuvenated by our visit to this wonderland. We vow to return again for the other trails and to experience the Nisqually River Delta in all four seasons.
~ Susanne
A Summer Day in May
Summertime and the livin’ is easy here in the Pacific Northwest. After the longest rainy season on record, summer arrived with gusto this week with temperatures in the seventies and eighties. We poor, cold, and waterlogged natives embraced the sunshine and are soaking up the long overdue rays while they are here.
That includes me as I head to Coulon Park in the heat of the day where I find the irises in bloom and bright as the sun,
and these walkers blending in with the green.
The view of Rainier to the south was striking as always..
but the Olympics floated in the haze somewhat ghostly to the west,
reminding me that I will welcome the cleansing of the next refreshing rain. I am after all, a true native.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 