Cool Mountain River - North Fork of the Stillaquamish

North Fork of the Stillaquamish

Wed. I again made the drive up to Darrington.  What a mixed bag of weather, from torrential rain, to sunshine when I arrived at the road to our daughter & son-in-laws property.  Once there, the sunshine lasted part of the afternoon!  Long enough to walk the yard & garden to see what was happening with the flowers & shrubs.  

Jentry's Garden

On Sunday, there will be a trail walk/tour starting in Darrington for the people interested in working toward the completion of the Whitehorse Trail.   Most of the participants are members of the Snohomish/Arlington Trail Coalition, or locals who are spearheading the effort.  The Washington Trails Association has information about the proposed trail on their website too.  I've been pretty excited about the prospect of actually being able to ride from the park in Arlington all the way to Darrington, then cutting through a short section from the power lines to a old trail that follows SR 530 for a few miles to intersect the road our daughter lives on!  Of course I think I'd have Butch bring the horse trailer up for a ride home!  :-) 
The Arlington Times has also published several related articles;   "Trail Coalition seeks Whitehorse Partners"

Our Best Mare!

HH Khari-Me-Home

What a fine afternoon we have today!  The sun has made another appearance!  I've been basking in the warmth, groomed the mare & turned her out in the pasture.  She's looking & feeling full of herself, couldn't resist some spring time photos of our favorite girl!   

Khari & Rascal

 It's hard to believe that this will be Khari's sixth season in endurance & seventh with us!  She's matured into a great looking mare.

HH Khari-Me-Home

Puppy Love ~

Cassidy meets Luna :-)

What can be finer that getting a puppy for Easter?  A puppy with bunny ears at that?  Thanks again to Heidi McKeon of Tradewinds Beagles,  who managed to find a puppy that would be the perfect match for Cassidy.  

Cassidy has been reading books on Beagle puppies & even did a Google Search for a puppy wallpaper for her computer!  Now, she'll have the real thing!  Luna too, seemed to know when we brought her home, that she was waiting for someone besides us - to make her part of their family.  When Cassidy arrived, the attraction was obvious :-)  Girl loved the puppy, puppy loved the girl!  Now Cassidy will have someone to write more stories about, since she is a fledgling writer! 

A Bright, Bright, Sunshine Day~

Our Road Home

What a glorious day!  I was scheduled to ride with friends, but just too interested in soaking up all the sunshine I could!  I'd worked in the woods from early morning, admiring how the fern fronds are starting to grow!   When I couldn't resist any longer, I saddled Khari & left from home.  Duane & Donnie, were home when we rode by, so spent some time catching up with them,  then walked up the big hill -- have to start work on getting my strength back.  At the top, rode into our trails, just taking our time & enjoying the day, the sun & the ride.  Hope to get out again tomorrow!

My first "Hunt" for Morel Mushrooms

My first time "hunting" for Morel Mushrooms!  (Grandson Ben sold $50. of them over the weekend to earn money for a new bike!)  I visited yesterday, drove up in the oh so welcome sunshine, with incredible views of our Washington "Alps" all the way!  Enjoyed playing with the new Granddaughter in the morning, then following Ben as he took me on my first successful expedition searching for the elusive Morels!  I was thrilled to find five, enough for a chicken-pot pie for dinner tonight!

That was the Sun!

Looking west up Dogwood Gulch

After a terrific thunderstorm Sunday morning, the sun broke through for a gorgeous afternoon!  Chilly... yes!  We didn't see 50 degrees, but we didn't care, the dogs played, the mare ran, I pulled weeds, took a few pictures & ironed new drapes - yes - Ironed! 

Dogwood Gulch from the gate

So nice to see the blooms on the Salmonberry's, buds starting to pop out on the deciduous trees, providing that flush of light green.  Butch re-framed our guest room window, which made it look so much nicer.  Nice to have a "quiet" weekend at home!

Whitehorse in "Winter" White!

Whitehorse

Lots of snow up here!

Yesterday, I made the drive to Darrington again.  This time - between the storm clouds, the mountain appeared!  What a site!  With this much snow & temperatures still running ten degrees below normal, it certainly looks "wintery"!  (Wish I'd remembered my tripod.)

Wild River

The Wild Sauk River~

I love wild rivers, any time of year -- especially this one, since I'm lucky enough to be close enough to visit it occasionally.   It's also lucky for me that I have access at a relatively remote spot.  Does this look like "Spring" to you?  Behind those clouds hides Whitehorse Mountain.  Last summer this part of the river bed had Alder trees that were 2" around & 6 ft. high!  No more!  The seasonal change over the last three years that I've been watching, has been dramatic to say the least.

Celebration of Life!

Petronella in pink~

One of my dearest friends, Petronella Fursman is a local artist of renown, especially in the Kirkland area.   We met over 25 years ago, working for the same company & managing apartment buildings in neighboring towns.  Just after the first of the year, it was discovered that instead of a bout with the flu, Petra had leukemia.  Undaunted by this diagnosis -- her positive attitude has been an inspiration to all of us lucky enough to be her friends.

Yesterday, we all attended a "Celebration of Life" for Petra.  What a thrill to celebrate with others the incredible accomplishments of an incredible woman.  Just a few of her travel accomplishments include, hiking the Himalayas at age 60, flying glider planes, going into the jungle for a week, with only a guide & a friend in a canoe to "live off the land",  horseback excursions in Italy & the list goes on.   We were each asked to select a piece of her art as a memento.  Her art itself is worthy of a large book, taking many awards over the years - with many items produced for charity.  I continue to strive daily to emulate my friend & admire so much her continuing zest for life!  If anyone can conquer such a diagnosis -- it will be Petra!

Our New Beagle Girl!

Mischief helping in the Cottage~

It's all Heidi's fault!  I was shopping with Jentry last Thursday when we ran into Rascal's "mother" :-)  Heidi of course asked about Rascal, then had to mention that she had a couple Very Nice puppies that were looking for forever homes...  I made the mistake of telling Butch!  On Sunday evening, we stopped by Heidi's to see her dogs!  Of course -- there's nothing better, than maybe looking at horses :-)  When Heidi opened a kennel, one little female (Rascal's niece) ran straight for Butch, stood up, wrapped her front legs around Butch's leg & held on for all her might!  He picked her up & that was THAT!  She came home with us!

We're in the adjustment phase here on the Homestead now :-)  The first night was the usual howls of misery...  heartbreaking...  But by dawn, hunger won out!  When Butch left for work, someone was Very unhappy!  Ran up & down the fence barking until he was out of sight -- then came running to me, sat & howled long & mournfully...  The minute he got home, she was following him everywhere!  Too cute!

Kitt has actually surprised us by taking to her & even letting her touch her!  Not hardly any growling!  Rascal on the other hand... is bent badly out of shape.  If she is near me, I get his sad look & he walks away with dignity.  He sits on my lap, which he hadn't been doing as often now that he's almost two, while she sits with Butch!  Butch gets dirty looks :-)

We've named her Mischief!  It fits her perfectly!  Heidi said she was the first born, first to do everything & is certainly very ready to find anything that will prove that her name fits! It's been hard to get a photo, since she's usually right by my feet!  I had plenty of help in the Cottage today!

Cavalia!

Cavalia ~

What an Incredible Show!  Just an incredible Day!  Janelle Wilton the organizer of our Sno-King Saddle UP Group, did a fantastic job scheduling our trip & all the arrangements to get forty some people up to Vancouver, to the show, shopping & back home again all in one day!  When we reached the border, we found a golden orb in the sky!  The day in Vancouver could not have been more beautiful!  Clear skies, fluffy white clouds, gorgeous horses, friendly people & good food!

Skyla has Arrived!

Papa & Skyla Jean

What an incredible day!  We arrived at the hospital about 7:20 a.m.  Skyla was delivered about 7:47 a.m.!  She's 18" long & weighed in at 4 lbs. 4 oz.  The nurses were amazed at her strength & development!  She may be a bit small starting out, but she's a little tough girl!  :-)  We're all thrilled to have her safe & sound in the loving arms of her family!