Adventure 937: A View from the Perch/Kevin-Kelsey Wedding/50

We made a long weekend out of celebrating Kevin and Kelsey's wedding, which was held in Mazama, WA. We dilly-dallied on the way over, rolling through the neatly cut wheat fields, sliding down some prehistoric rock formations into Grand Coulee, and meandering through Northeast Washington until we got to the magnificent Methow Valley. We're about a week away from peak fall colors. The aspens are just now turning and the Tamaracks are a cold week or two away. The wedding, designed, officiated, and orchestrated by the couple and their close friends was simply wonderful. Our Air B & B was comfortable and we enjoyed another unplugged weekend: No wifi, no TV, no news. Nothing but the joyous wonder of two people committing themselves to each other with their closest friends and family as witnesses. It's apparent that good friends help make life better. We didn't really suffer from internet withdrawal because Mazama does have an excellent bakery and brew pub, so it wasn't like we were adrift in the wilderness. We also went to a very nice farmer's market in Twisp on Saturday morning. But clearly the wedding was the highlight. Kevin and Kelsey's  friends prepared the wedding feast, the wedding music, and the group reveled in their joy for each other. Judy and I were honored to be included. This morning, a beautifully blue fall day, we decided to drive back to Spokane via the high NE Washington passes. We traversed Loop Loop, Waucanda, and Sherman Passes, which, dressed as they are in fall splendor, proved extremely pleasant. It was a feel great weekend, and once again affirmed that life is good, especially today.

Our little cabin in the woods was very warm, well appointed, and cozy.

We slept under this down comforter with the windows open to let in the crisp mountain air. Veery nice.

On Friday night, the group met at the Mazama Public House. Very good beer and grits.

 

The "friends" gathered round the fire.

Saturday morning scone.

Followed by the Saturday morning chocolate croissant.

Followed by the Saturday pecan donut at the Twisp farmer's market.

Our little cabin in the woods.

Judy and Kelsey.

Judy and  Kevin's sister, Andrea.

The wedding ring.

One of two wedding feast tables.

Kevin and Kelsey approached the wedding ring from two sides. My shot of Kevin wan't good, but Kelsey seems quite serious.

The couple presenting each other before the altar.

First dance.

We stopped at the summit of Sherman Pass to catch the view.

Great day. Great weekend.

Adventure 936: A View from the Perch/Stehekin Getaway/49

It's still birthday month, but our planned getaway to Stehekin served to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We started talking about it after we had family camp in Chelan a few years ago. Neither of us had been there before, so we made it happen. Coincidentally, when we moved into Rockwood we met a couple, Jim and Roberta Ellis, who have a "place" in Stehekin and have been regular visitors there for over thirty years. It was our good fortune that their monthly visit matched our visit. They showed us around for most of the morning on Monday and introduced us to quite a few of the locals. Their generosity was as warm and perfect as the weather. Stehekin itself is absolutely stunning. The place is home to around eighty full time residents, half of whom are related to the original homesteaders. There's no cell service, no TV, no church, no bar, and very little wifi. It takes a special kind of person to survive there. Two quick stories help define the place. As part of the tour, Jim Ellis took us to the "gas station". When Jim got to Stehekin thirty some years ago, you'd put gas in your rig, write your name in a notebook, and leave cash in the coffee can on top of the pump. A few years back some punk visitor started stealing the cash, so they had to change the system. It's sad to see, but the honor system is still alive and well in Stehekin. Second, on our way out this morning we stopped at the community garden which is tended by a man named Carl. He was sitting in the morning sun, smiling. I noticed his bare feet right away. They were darkened by the dirt. It was clear that he loved his earth, his avocation, and his garden. I dared not disturb his peace by asking for a photo. He is emblematic of the people we met while we were there. It's as clear as the dirt between Carl's toes that life in Stehekin is good, especially today.

Lake Chelan is fifty-four miles long. Fields Point, nine or so miles up lake from Chelan is the Ferry landing take off point to Stehekin. 

The trip up lake to Stehekin takes about two hours and forty-five minutes.

A local resident spent her time meditating.

Our view as we came into the landing at Stehekin.

First stop. The bakery. Oh, my!

We stayed in Wagon #4.

My Bunny getting settled.

Our little wagon.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are part of the package at the Ranch. We kept up our cribbage tradition.

Stehekin has a one room school house that educates through eighth grade. Currently, there are ten students. We're standing in front of the old school, which is now open for tourists to  visit.

Jim and Roberta's "place", which, when we met them, they represented as a cabin. Not so much. Jim designed and built the thing himself (with a little help from his neighbors setting the logs).

Jim and Roberta live right below us at Rockwood.

This is the view of some of the cabins at the ranch as taken from the front of the cook house.

Cowboy coffee was a constant on the firebox. No "stinking" decaf, Buster.

Selfie of the day: Us as we watched Stehekin disappear in the wake.

As way leads on to way, we're ever glad we made our way up lake.
 

Adventure 935: A View from the Perch/Emily's 18th Birthday/48

Where does the time go? When suddenly before our eyes sits a wonderfully grown young lady who's smart, thoughtful, compassionate, funny, loyal, and self-possessed of all of the other Girl Scout qualities a person can think of. Of course, we're proud grandparents, and in our current venue, there's much bragging to others about the "kids". We have plenty to share, seeing as how Steve and Bonnie, as well as our other kids have been wildly successful raising their kids. But this is Emily's time. Eighteen. Wow! She is talking about what to do about college. Where to go? What to study? The good news is she's so smart, she'll be fine wherever she decides to land. She proof that life is good, especially today. Couldn't be prouder.

A few Christmas's back. I'm so amazed!

Party girl.

Biker babe in training.

What in the world?

I got a strike!

Hmmmm?

Cousins are good.

I got it figured out.

Semel training.

First mate training.

Skateboard training.

A few Christmas's back.

Lakin'.

Tie dye master piece.

Cousins are good.

Cousins are still good from the front view.

Loving the books.

Sisters are good; so is hot chocolate with whipped cream.

Books and more books. 

More first mate training.

Bowline training.

Proud book nerd.

More lakin'.

Girl overboard training.

Just as tall as Mimi.

Ooh! That's a bit chilly.

Cosplay anyone?

Yes. More books.

Eighth grade graduation.

Pensive teen girl training.

Aunt Libby spoilage.

Cousin, Falcon, showing off Emily's birthday present.

Just another great reason to smile.

No fear training.

Emily and her mom.

Emily and sister, Sarah.

Cousins with Mimi a few years back.

Eighteen. Pretty cool.

Pretty good bunch.