Annelle's Visit

My friend Annelle came for a visit. Her passion for photography inspires me. We visited some of my very favorite creeks spots, communing and taking pictures.
Stetattle Creek, Happy Creek, and the Skagit River are the water spots in these pictures.
Steffany


Reflections, reflections, and lots and lots of water.

Backpacking on Lin's Days Off

We just returned from a two day backpacking trip to Ross Lake. We hiked in three miles,
then took a short boat trip ($55.00) on the Ross Lake Resort Ferry to May Creek Camp. (Ross Lake is actually a reservoir, though lovely, amidst snow capped peaks and numerous waterfalls.)
We, of course had a permit (required for overnight camping in The Park) but when we got to our "reserved" spot two tents and four guys were already camped there. Lin mentioned that she was an "off duty ranger" so she really did know the permit system. We both requested that they find another spot. Except for cleaning up after them, we felt really grateful that they cooperated.

The hiking in and out was through the forest, cool, and lovely, although the 7.8 miles walk yesterday was a little long for me. Lin carried a much bigger pack and carried some of my stuff. She convinced me that she needed the practice/training for carrying the weight on her future solo patrols. So, I was glad to help her out.

We had good weather for hiking, some sun, a little rain, and not too warm. Today is supposed to be in the 80's and tomorrow the 90's. I think we lucked out by hiking before the heat wave. There is lots of water in all the creeks and streams; the high heat should accelerate the snow melt.

Lin is back to work today, still training the new recruits, and enjoying her new role as "lead" in the Wilderness Office. I'm gardening and expecting some visitors in the next week. We are both very grateful that summer is here.

New Iris

I received these iris last fall from a friend and didn't get them planted until March. They are blooming anyway. Quite a surprise and a delight.
Thank you Roxanne.
Steffany

Newhalem Creek

This is one of my favorite communing spots.












Warmed by the sun,
perched on the edge,
I savor the sounds and delights
of new water,
fresh snow melt
pouring in and over boulders.
Together we sing a song
of summer.
My soul is refreshed here in the sheltered wild
of the North Cascades, my place to inhabit, here on earth.


photos and poem by Steffany

"On Patrol" up Thunder Creek

Yesterday our travel was pretty close to home, home in the North Cascades anyway. Lin had a day patrol and I got to "volunteer" and go with her. It was soggy and spectacularly green. A truly northwest spring hike! The calypso orchid, bridal veil fern, morel mushroom, and trillium were all sights I discovered while wandering very slowly with my camera. I'm sure they have been there before but this time I really slowed down enough to "see" them. Such sweet small pleasures. Steffany

Lupine in bloom finally

We have lupine all over our gravel driveway; we planted some but most have come up on their own; they have finally come into bloom and the place looks pretty lovely. Wild roses grow behind them and the combination makes a lovely fragrance. We are finally enjoying spring. Although mostly it is still cool and pretty rainy. The flowers don't seem to mind. The veggie garden is mostly planted; the slugs have been having a feast. Finally the peas and beans are up beyond their reach (i hope). We had to make a scarecrow because the birds (mostly bluejays) were pulling up and eating the poor little pea plants. Her name is "Breathe in the Garden."