Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Soos Creek Botanical Garden
After the rain showers this week, I visited the lovely Soos Creek Botanical Garden today. It was a rather spontaneous decision, made while drinking my latte at the Starbucks next to the gym where I was supposedly headed next. But the rain had stopped. Fresh air and a walk would be better than the treadmill, wouldn’t it? Of course it would! And I’d only been to the Soos Creek Garden once before, even though it’s only a thirty minute drive down the road. Time for another visit.
A few volunteers were the only ones I saw as I walked through the Carlmas Long Borders promenade, the centerpiece of the garden. The grass was still wet and the flowers fresh with raindrops from the day before. Beautiful color exploded on each side.
Afterwards I wandered on paths through native woods, including a cedar grove and alder grove, and made my way down to the creek.
I headed back up to where I started, to the top of the expansive lawn where the Schaefer Pond Garden was peaceful and serene.
Soos Creek Botanical Garden is 22 acres of garden and woodlands, exactly the size of the Tiffany Park Woods that are currently being destroyed in my neighborhood. I guess it’s some consolation to know I can visit the lovely Botanical Garden for a safe and scenic walk in the woods.
Before leaving, I bought some plants, dropping my money in the donation box, and went home to find a place for them in my yard.
Much better than the gym I have to admit.
~ Susanne
Snoqualmie Close Up
We took a day trip yesterday to one of our favorite local attractions: Snoqualmie Falls.
Up the road we found the river flowing deep and wide, silently through the little town of Carnation.
We stopped at Tolt MacDonald Park where the foot bridge is the best place to watch the river flow and also frames the farmland and Cascade Mountains nearby.
~ Susanne
The Woodpecker
Today they arrived behind our house and I stood watching as the claw gripped the tree where it was thick and full of life and the saw ate through its girth and the claw hoisted it upward into the air and downward where it smashed to the ground where others lay and while I was watching I saw the bird land on the tree nearby and maybe I only imagined the panic of the small and fragile red-headed woodpecker as he climbed upward hoping this one would not come down, but I don’t think so.
~ Susanne
Urban Logging
After years of wrangling and delays, the logging of the Tiffany Park Woods is underway. It was only last week that I took this picture after being awakened by the chain saws.
This is the same location today.
The woods are no match for the heavy equipment assembled against them. I am over it. There’s still a long way to go, but I’m pleased to see many trees around the perimeter still standing. I wonder if the select few marvel that they were chosen while those on the ash heap wonder what they did wrong.
I assume all the displaced animals have been welcomed to new homes. Refugees of sorts. It will be interesting to watch as houses go up.
Progress I guess.
~ Susanne
The Most Interesting Cats in the World
This is Tiger, the mature one in the house. I don’t always pose like this; but when I do it will be on the most luxurious blanket I can find.
This is Benji and I agree you’re looking good for your age Tiger. But you can’t overcome youth.
~ Tiger and Benji, the most interesting cats in the world
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
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 