Last Day in Yakima Valley

What a wonderful day!  I went for a hike with my aunt and uncle.  I wish you could have been there, so  here are some pics from the afternoon.

 An odd sign in the bathroom.

I must admit, a volcanic rock may have ended up in my pocket.

Beer and vittles in Ellensburg on the way back.

Then to Redmon Memorial Bridge to take in the view.

Jackie London?

About 10 minutes ago my patient uncle helped me reach another personal achievement.  Splitting wood!  It's amazing what can be accomplished with a great teacher.

The Horse King

When I set out to Washington a few days ago, it was to take advantage of down time from work and reconnect with family.  It's really become a vision quest.

This is me with one of my new goddesses on the third day of my quest.  

The first day was realized with profound insight from my aunt on who I am and where I fit in with my life and family.  While we met only a year ago at my brother's wedding, it was kismet and we've continued the conversation ever since.

Part 2 was a reiki reading by another goddess.  I'm not going to try to sway the skeptics, I'm just here to heal.  I can just say there is magic in someone being able to read you by concentration before even talking to you.  We give off a light that we each have the power to see, but few can understand.

I've always been a seeker of destiny so today in a cozy yurt, I had my chart read to find some connections in some of the inexplicables of my life.  Divine.  Truth will find its way out and though I've been hearing it a million times, I needed to hear a soothsayer remind me that being my full self and feeling safe is the only way for me to grow and learn.  I got some answers, and now I'm ready to blaze a new trail.

With two of my three goddesses we each drew a card from Wisdom of the Hidden Realms, just for fun as we were saying goodbye.  I drew The Horse King.  I had to share, since The Horse King card is about Assistance and Control, and lines up almost eerily with my road trip.  It reads:

"The Horse King always comes to lend you the power to go the distance, forging ahead whatever the weather.  You will most certainly reach your perfect destination with this noble ally.  He lets you know that some person or circumstance brought through synchronicity will certainly appear to help you with your endeavors.  You aren't meant to go this part of the journey alone.  This is also an important time to delegate authority to others so that they may assist you.  Currently you're magnetic to powerful people who are in a position to help make your dreams come true.  The Horse Kings asks that you remain open to those who are sent to aid you.  You can be assured that you will be lifted up and will ride high in victory."

Exploring the Yakima Valley

I looooove Washington.  It reminds me of northern Wisconsin.  So much is devoted to hunting and fishing, the outdoors, the wild.

Ben and Martha took me to Trout Lodge, an adorable inn and restaurant with owners who sat down to chat with us between their duties.

Love the goldfish croutons.

... and the Christmas cheer ....

... and the decor ...

... and the wall of hunting honors collected over 25+ years.

After our sandwiches and 3 rounds of coffee refills, we headed to the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forest to take in a winter hike and see the pristine reservoir.

Then back to Trout Lodge for blackberry cobbler.  It was still open.

We headed home and pulled off to see a group of mountain goats feeding.  Isn't their camouflage impressive?

My zoom isn't great, so here's a little chart to help.

If the fog lifts, I'll get a glimpse of Mt. Rainier!  But that also means I'll have to say goodbye to the hoar frost.  I'm not ready to say goodbye to anything at this point.

Apples to Apples

Since it's my first time in Washington state, I can't get enough apple trees.  My region in Sonoma County specializes in the heirloom Gravenstein, so I have lots of respect for my uncle who had an apple farm for years.  When we drive on the highway, he can distinguish all the different trees in the blink of an eye.  

Here are pear trees:

Lovely apple trees, responsible for the state's production of two-thirds of the national market.

They all look pretty much the same to me, but hopefully I'll learn a thing or two while I'm here.

Hiking the Coyote Trail

At the end of my first full day in Washington, my uncle and I decided to take in the hoar frost and go for a walk.

It turned into a hike.

Uncle Ben lifted up a barbed wire fence and we borrowed a coyote's trail.

Wild sage grows like a weed here.

And the best trails are the ones you make yourself.

Crater Lake

When I woke up today, I wasn't planning on seeing Crater Lake.  I was planning on it weeks ago when I poured over the maps to figure out my route, but then figured if I stopped there I'd also have to stop at Lavabeds and Mtount St. Helens and Portland and Seattle.  Heck, if I made it to Seattle, I'd also have to go to Vancouver to finally get a glimpse of Canada and get a stamp in the lonely pages of my brand new passport.  So no, there wasn't going to be time for Crater Lake.  Not this trip.  This trip is just about family and friends.

But then I saw the sign for the turnoff.  It was only 47 miles away.

I went for it.  And this is what I saw.