Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Tiger the therapy cat
Before there was Benji, Tiger was the star of this blog and this is what he had to say a few years ago.
Today’s Chickadees in the Garden
Before the hummingbirds won my heart the chickadees had it already. Tiny, cheerful, and talkative they call to one another while feasting among the evergreen trees.
Today as I sat with my camera – waiting for the hummingbirds to come and drink from freshly filled feeders – the chickadees caught my attention overhead.
‘Look at me-me-me’ they seemed to say so I did.
I’ll save the hummingbirds for another day.
~ Susanne
Bison – Wild Symbol of the American West
Yellowstone is the only place in the United States where Bison – commonly called American Buffalo – have lived continuously since prehistoric times.
They once covered the Great Plains of North America in numbers estimated as high as 60 million, but were nearly driven to extinction by slaughter in the 19th Century. There are now close to 5,000 Bison living in Yellowstone National Park, one of the best reasons to visit.
The largest land-dwelling animal in North America, males weigh up to 2,000 pounds, females up to 1,100 pounds. Visitors must be alert at all times and keep a safe distance away as posted signs warn. Unfortunately many people are injured by the animals each year by approaching too closely. All of my pictures were taken safely from a distance, sometimes from inside my vehicle where I always gave them the right-of-way.
~ Susanne
Come along for a Drive on the Chinook Scenic Byway
I have to admit we live in a beautiful part of the country. So even though our travel has been limited by the pandemic we’re still able to visit many scenic destinations nearby.
Recently that meant a drive on the Chinook Scenic Byway. They call it a ‘scenic byway’ for a reason.
Starting south in Enumclaw the road follows the White River, continues inside the northeast corner of Mt. Rainier National Park, crosses Chinook Pass to the east side of the Cascade Mountains and ends at Naches.
There were many photo ops along the way including our first – a stop next to the White River for a look at Skookum Falls.
The White River owes its milky color to its source – nearby Emmons Glacier – the largest glacier on Mt. Rainier.
Across the river, 250 foot Skookum Falls can be seen in the distance.
A nice view and no hike required.
Next was Silver Springs Campground which we were surprised to find mostly full. It didn’t matter as we only stopped to use the facilities and view the bubbling springs that appeared from nowhere out of the ground.
Continuing upward we stopped for a walk around Tipsoo Lake – or so we thought – it was completely snowed in.
Still, we managed to get some nice views of the Mountain next door;
before crossing over to the east side where all was sunny and dry as expected. By then we were hungry so we headed to Gold Creek for their world famous Fish & Chips. Oh yes, they delivered on their promise!
After lunch, while Bob practiced fly fishing,
I wandered around with my camera, taking pictures of the trees and flowers,
and wishing I’d paid more attention in Geology class.
Then it was home again, home again, jiggety jig.
Till next time.
~ Susanne
Catitude
Thy name is Benji.
~ Happy Monday from Susanne and Benji
Focus on a DayLily
I don’t have any daylilies growing in my garden but perhaps I should. Though each individual blossom only lasts for a day, one established clump will provide many beautiful flowers for weeks.
Daylilies are perennials but not a true lily and come in many colors – the orange ones are my favorite.
I took these pictures at Soos Creek Botanical Garden yesterday on my first visit of the year, and yes, while wearing a mask.
~ Susanne
Garden Update and Hummingbird Dance
Good morning and welcome to my garden where life is growing and hummingbirds are courting!
Here’s the view of the garden beds from above.
Herbs and flowers are at their peak and edibles are in various stages of growth. Bush beans are flourishing and tomatoes are adjusting. I forgot to plant potatoes this year but no matter, they are sprouting up wherever they please.
Heavy rainfall has passed so watering is now a necessity. Benji sees to that.
Tiger does his part in the garden too by guarding the compost bin – here he is sleeping on the job.
An entire bed is devoted to strawberries though this may be the last year. Many have been plundered by insects or tiny slugs perhaps. I managed to salvage a few and will be on watch as they continue to ripen. Here are two of the best from today surrounded by new raspberries and thimbleberries. Aren’t they pretty?
On the other side of the fence the apple trees are heavy with young blushing apples. I hope it is more than a tease and they continue to grow and stick around till fall. I have yet to get a good crop.
Meanwhile in the shady backside of the yard hummingbirds can be seen courting.
It usually starts around the feeder where two stop by for a drink.
Afterwards the chase is on until the male perches high above to preen and fluff and flitter, flashing his head this way and that turning it a brilliant red.
The female seems unimpressed so far – perhaps she is already spoken for or playing hard to get.
At least for now.
~ Susanne
Ebey’s Landing on Whidbey Island
Last month, in the middle of a rainy spring, we took advantage of a sunny day and headed to Whidbey Island for a first time visit to Ebey’s Landing.
Don’t get me wrong – we’ve been to Washington’s largest island many times before. In fact I told you about one such trip a few years ago, here if you missed it Wonderful Whidbey Island.
This time, we took the ferry from Mukilteo and though we were confined to the car deck – there’s still a pandemic going on – we had wonderful views on our sailing.
The Cascades floated above Everett to the east
while Mt Baker loomed large to the north.
After the ferry ride we drove to the middle of the island and arrived at Ebey’s Landing State Park. We took the Bluff Trail, climbing high above the beach below, passing by prairie and farmland to the east,
and more views of Mt. Baker.
After a few rest stops we made it to the top of the bluff where we looked out over Admiralty Inlet, the Olympics and the Straight of Juan de Fuca.
Admiralty Inlet connects the eastern end of the Straight of Juan de Fuca to Puget Sound and is the only way for ships to reach the major shipping ports of Seattle and Tacoma. Here Mt. Rainier seems to guard the entrance from the south.
It was all down hill from here as they say, as we descended to the beach below to complete the three mile loop trail.
After stopping by Coupeville for a takeout lunch
we headed to the ferry terminal where our ship had just come in.
All in all a wonderful day.
~ Susanne
A Monday Walk and Pandemic Visit
On the first Monday of summer under the bluest skies and warmest sunshine I went to visit my mom – pandemic style. I pulled up under her apartment window, and gave her a ring, ‘hey mom, I’m down here to visit,’ and visit we did, waving and talking and planning our next exchange of books and things. Such is life in the pandemic for those living in senior communities. No going out and no visitors allowed inside so we find ways. It’s strict yes – maybe too strict – who’s to know? – but her community remains virus free. We hope and we hope for things to return to normal – whatever that will be.
She remains cheerful and so do I – buoyed by the weather and my next stop – Top Pot for a latte and donut – then to nearby Coulon Park.
I walked my normal route on the path next to the lake where children swam, eagles flew overhead, turtles rested in their favorite spots and the Mountain was out.
Crowds were thin and seemed properly distanced. Some wore masks – some did not – both made sense in the great outdoors. It’s what keeps us sane.
How was your Monday?
~ Susanne
Roses and Herbs and Bees in The Garden
Honestly I have a lot of local travel stories still in the queue – all backed up and waiting to be shared. But the garden called me so I lingered there taking time to smell the roses and watch the bees among the herbs.
First the roses. Though they’re temperamental I continue to grow them for their singlular fragrance and beauty.
This is Doris Day and I think it does her justice. If only you could smell her sweetness!
The orange rose is another beauty and I wish I could remember her name! Though that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet – as this one does!
Next are the faithful herbs that fill my garden beds with color. The lavender is my favorite.
The Platinum Blonde – another name that makes sense I think – should bloom in the next few weeks.
And finally here are the bees – they love the catmint as much as the cats do.
They love the purple sage too.
Yesterday was hot and muggy, the last day of spring. This morning is cool and overcast, and rain is gently falling.
Welcome to summer. 🙂
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 