Red Hawk Meadow

Catching Up

I've been getting all my "loose ends" tied up, finishing all my previously started projects.  We had a brief period of good weather so we were able to get outside and get a few things done prior to Spring, such as getting cages around some of the plants the deer find especially tasty.

My spinning and knitting groups are back in full gear, knitting is every week, while spinning is every other week.  Its really nice to plan on getting together those days with like-minded friends.

Winter Jasmine in full bloom.

Spokane :: Part III

 
My husband, VG, is a landscape photographer.  He is what I would call a purist---He only shoots with a large format film camera.  When the film is developed it produces a transparency ( large slide ) which is 4in. X 5 in.   On this trip to Spokane he decided to bring his camera gear along with the hopes of getting some shots of the Palouse.  So one morning we got up at 4:00AM and made the two hour trip to Steptoe Butte so we could get there  before the sun came up.

Well---we made it-------

VG is scoping out the area for potential photo shots---

We had a glorious sunrise and not one car came up there that morning.  VG was able to capture multiple images while the sun was rising and sweeping the fields below with a golden hue.  I was able to also get a few images, but I have to admit that I read most of the morning.  After Vg was finished at the top  we began our trip down, stopping periodically to get more photos of the patchwork landscape before us.

As you can see, there was a slight haze hanging over the fields, but we headed down from the Butte it seemed to clear.

As we were driving we discovered several old buildings which were so beautiful against the backdrop of the wheat fields, we just couldn't help ourselves.

We visited the Palouse the middle of October and although most of the fields contained dry bluntly  cut wheat stalks; some had  winter wheat sprouting.  The area is well worth a visit in the fall, but we are now looking forward to a summer trip when everything is green and lush.

 

Spokane :: Part II

We decided to head to Huckleberry Pass to see if there were any Tamarack trees which had transitioned a bit more than the those in the lowlands.  Again, the day was gorgeous; reaching temperatures close to 70.  Because the sun was so high in the sky the colors were very difficult to see.

Surprisingly, there were very few trees that had turned, so our focus changed to the beautiful farmland that stretched before us.

In addition to the abandoned barns and outbuildings.

And we also stumbled upon the occasional rusted vehicle.

It never ceases to amaze me, the treasures you find when you least expect it.

 

 

Spokane :: Part I

Last Monday we headed to Spokane to visit with VG's parents.  We couldn't have asked for better weather for a Fall drive over Snoqualmie Pass.

I tried to get a better shot of the Fall colors, but it was too difficult with all the large semi trucks passing us in both directions.  So I was able to capture a couple of farms as we were cruising by.

I finally gave up on that and decided to wait until we arrived at VG's folks' place out in the country.

I was able to find a beautiful Tamarack (Larch) on their property that was turning a brilliant yellow before it drops it's needles.  I love the way these trees look interspersed among the evergreens in the forest.

The remainder of the visit was spent in search of more fall colors.  Even though I am partial to the coastal forests and lands in Washington State, Eastern Washington has it's own beauty.