Can You Guess?

 Can you guess where I went adventuring this weekend?

A delicious and delightful much deserved little break with a dear friend. 

To one of my favorites of NW places no less...

End of the Traveling Road (for now)

Vista from Hwy 20

 After driving the North Cascade Loop last Wednesday, followed by a caravan ride to Sun River, OR on Thursday and then back on Sunday I think I may just be done with travel for a spell.
Probably not... But at least for the next few days.

Another angle of Hwy 20 vista

Vista after beautiful vista WERE appreciated - we couldn't have asked for nicer travel weather ... but now that I'm back home the one I'm most enjoying is of my own backyard.

Methow Brewery / River Grill

 The road trip to the Methow Valley was inspired by a need to retrieve three large paintings from Confluence Gallery in Twisp, WA after the Birds, Bees and Buds exhibition. It worked out that a friend I hadn't seen in quite some time was on summer break and free to join me for my crazy-to-do-in-one-day journey. We chatted and got caught up and enjoyed the gorgeous day from 8:30 AM until 11:30 PM. Was a delightful trip that took us from Seattle north to Highway 20 east over the mountains, down into the Methow Valley through Winthrop and Twisp and then further east to loop through Wenatchee with a stop at Lake Chelan to cool off then south to return through Steven's Pass.

yummy

 It's a drive I would LOVE to do again - if I had about three days to do it! So many amazing places to stop and hike or swim or taste. I'm sure I will do the journey again. Hopefully a camping trip in September with my friends Bill and Leah who also wanted to go.

Cooling off in Lake Chelan

Dinner and a walk in Leavenworth

Directly following my journey on Wednesday was a trip south to Sun River OR for Andy's family reunion. It truly was a wonderful time and I enjoyed connecting with his cousins that Andy himself hadn't seen in close to 10 years. It was reconnecting for us too.

I think I must have been travel-tuckered my whole time in Sun River though because the only picture I took was of this little covered bridge in Moro, OR on our way home during a pit stop. No sunset over the Deschutes. No smiling hot tub relaxing photos. No bike trail riding pics on the wacky hot pink mountain bike that came with the house rental. Nope. None of those. Just this covered bridge.

Up next: Art! (Yes - I still do that)

Back from the Road - Again

 Just when I thought my road trip time was over it turns out that I had one more journey to make. This past weekend found me traveling Washington's Highway 12 through Gifford Pinchot National Forest past Mount Rainier and beyond into the Yakima Valley. I was called that way for the family celebration of my dear Grandmother's long, full life. Just one month shy of her 90th birthday. Grandma, you will be missed.

The scenery along the drive could not have been prettier...

And the cherries jewel-like on the local orchards were the sweetest in recent memory...

Even sweeter was a child-like stop for the treat of the Peppermint Stick's ice cream. A long standing tradition!

 Since I was in the Valley I made a point to finally visit the remarkable Artist enclave of Mighty Tieton and spent a lovely time exploring the gallery, workshop space and press. If you are ever up that way it is by far worth the detour. I know I will be returning!

The Pallisades

 One other stop on my journey included a mini Sabbatical to visit an old childhood family haunt - Ohanapecosh Campground. Just a few miles off Hwy 12 it was a welcome break for a stretch and a little contemplation beside the waters that were as clear and jewel-blue as I remembered. Not much seems to have changed from the days I roved the campground looking for toads with my tribe of cousins! Course now all I want to do is return for a weekend of camping there. Tis been far too long.

Returned home late on Sunday and then spent Monday celebrating Andy's birthday. Which thankfully included a stop at my favorite local coffee house for the birthday request of dirty chai. Oh yum =) After 3 days in the valley with drip coffee Oly coffee roasters made for a happy return indeed!

Views from the Road, Part Three

"Roadside Impressions" by Mark Nilsion, Hood River, OR

Nevada Art Museum

To Live Forever at the Nevada Art Museum

2, 477 miles.

2 days in the Bay Area
5 days in Venice Beach
1 day soaking up Benton Hot Springs
3 Pleasantly Unexpected days in Reno
2 days in the rolling hills of Oregon
1 day in Hood River with family

Self Portrait, Nevada Art Museum

Val Halla in Reno, NV to the RESCUE!

Junkee in Reno, NV - could have spent hours in the costume section alone!

Pelton Park Cafe, Oregon

On Lake Simtustus, Oregon I lucked out with a waterfront campsite at Pelton Park. Sunset brought the buzzards in to roost - directly above my tent! All that night I dreamt of wings as the great birds shifted in the treetops above me.

The next morning I hiked up the canyon for a stretch to be greeted with this view.

Oregon surprised me. Through all the roads I traveled, it was highway 197 between Bend and the Gorge that kept taking my breath away. I was surprised because I had lived SO close to there for years, but had never been that particular way. 

I will return. Soon.

Sunbow on Sunday, right before journeying HOME.

Interlude from the Road - "Closed for Reno Vation"

Where: Reno, NV
What: My car
Why: What would a road-trip be without an unexpected detour to a mechanic?

 Yesterday, somewhere after the 3rd or 4th mountain pass my clutch started putting up protest. Fortunately the sparkling metropolis of Reno, NV was close-by. I coasted on into town, pulled up at motel and researched for a good mechanic (thank ye interwebs!)

 I found myself rather surprised at how much I've enjoyed my stay here today. The downtown Riverwalk is gorgeous. The artist loft building that sits right next to the river is inspiring and all the local folks I've interacted with were just stellar sweet.

 Who would have guessed? I didn't have any intention of heading to Reno until the car forced the detour. And now I'm kinda glad to be here on this little Reno vacation. Interesting indeed!

Views from the Road, Part Two

Santa Monica Pier

Karrie & Kenoah enjoying Venice Art Crawl

Bergamot Station, Santa Monica = gallery after gallery after gallery

Venice Beach = Bike Riding!

Take a wild guess what & where this is...

Venice - "Where the debris meets the sea"

On the road, East of the Sierra Nevada Mountains

Destination: Benton Hot Springs