Camping with dogZ

After wedding, we spent one night up along XXX river, camping with the dogs. Of course this was not the typical bone dry weather one normally see up around Winthrop in the summer, but rather a sprinkly weekend - leading to wet and dirty dogs.
All that said, it all worked just fine. The guys kept their guard up and protected the camp from those pesky tree hopping animals (squirrels) that were trying to attack us all the time. If they just could leave the yellowjackets alone though...

Got to use an old Coleman lantern I picked up at a thrift store during our "scavanger hunt". With a little bit of cleaning and a new wick, it even ran with the fuel that was left in it. A beacon in the dark night! Strange though since during camping in Scandinavia, you rarely ever need any (additional) light - all thanks to the very bright summer nights (even in late August).

Inside the tent, most of the complaints actually came from the wife who either was too cold (initially) or (later) too hot. Add to that the claim that the matress did not provide enough comfort. But the headlamp worked great!

I woke up a few times listening to the rain and searching after wet puddles inside. But, there were none. Even this crappy, poorly designed, poorly manufactured tent managed to keep us dry. I am so much looking forward to buying a true "Scandinavian designed" tent where the rainfly is an integral part of the tent, and not just a piece of nylon cloth one tosses over to keep the rain out.

After packing up, but before getting back into the the car for a slwo drive towards Seattle, we had to take Herbie up to a campground and rinse him off. He was so dirty he simply was not allowed in the car. For a small dog, he can collect an amazing amount of sand in his fur (sorry, hair), and it always manage to end up in the wrong spots. But, we found a little stretch of pavement where he could dry off walking back to the car. All good!

Back home, they slept and slept, and slept. Don't think I've seen such a bunch of tired dogs in a long time. and this even after (in their eyes) a rather boring drive home. But I got to check out the power plant along Highway 20 and also the "cities" of Newhalem and Diablo. They are so tidy, looking almost like old officers' quarters from an army installation somewhere, but I guess that the power companies in the early 20th century where run much like the armies of those days.

Wedding + Winthrop = AmaZing!

Last year we got an invite to "Karen and Kent's Wedding" (yes they were out early, so early that I initially thought the wedding to be in August of 2006).

Have to go far back here. I initially met Karen on a ski lift in Alta, February 1995. Later that night I sort of caused Annie from Hartford, CT, (met her by the ski lockers earlier that day an mentally forced her to go skiing even though she was tired) to break her nose after a way too long session in the pool, hot tub, sauna (in that order, combined with beer). Karen was at the Alta Peruvian Lodge together with her dad and brother. As it happens, Karen's dad is a doctor and he "corrected" Annie's broken nose that were same night. Karen and Annie were also, unbeknownst to each other, sharing one of the fabulous "dorms" at the Alta Peruvian Lodge.

Karen and I have been friends ever since, and when I lived in Texas and frequently visited Seattle, I could always count on having access to a bunk in the in the "basement suite" at the house she shared with a bunch of fun room mates in Wallingford. It was more fun than Hilton or Sheraton. It was also here that I really learnt the "room mate" concept. Something that is just very rare in native Sweden.
Karen also took the time to really show me the best of the Pacific NorthWest, something that I'm endlessly thankful for and hence, as you know, this is now my home!

Over the years I managed to keep up the contact and visit with Annie (remember, broken nose...) a number of times. Annie eventually got married to this crazy Brit (Chris), a "fake" guide she met on a trip to the French alps. They were both, with wonderful daughter Sarah, visiting us in Seattle last summer. And Annie met Karen again for the "first" time since that accident prone Saturday, some 12 years ago. As an added surprise, Karen's dad was also present! Ready to take care of any more noses.

From the very first time I met Karen I was amazed by her work. Immensely talented and the stuff that would come out of her hands was not only "artsy" but also fun. She eventually broke out of the corporate mold, dared to jump into business for herself and opened an art studio.

When I got married in 2000, there was no debate who I wanted to have as "my" witness. Karen was my first really close friend in Seattle, so she was a given!

So, it was therefore with great joy we looked forward to the "Karen and Kent Wedding" this weekend in Winthrop. Karen had finally met someone that could keep up with her and be her true "mate" (to steal a quote from one of her room mates)!

Winthrop is about a 4-5 hour drive from Seattle. Boring slog up I-5 (traffic jam) but when you start following the Skagit River it turns pretty and the crossing of the Cascades in many ways reminds me of stretches of Norway. Arriving on the other side, you are normally greeted by eternal sunshine and dry weather. Not so this weekend. It was unseasonably cold (about 75F insted of the more normal 95F) and therefore perfect for the pooches and outdoor activities.

We arrived at the Virginian and it took a while before they could find my reservation. But, once all that was done, we settled in a cosy cabin styled room with solid log walls. Best of it all, they charged less than indicated in my reservation and as far as I know, only charged a small flat fee for the dogs.

Before us in the check-in line was two girls and a guy on Harleys. Noted that one of them was not a "real" biker chick, but out here visiting her friends. She rode with the fat guy. It did not take long to figure out that they all got the room above us. There was a lot of "riding" going on all night and likely also some "girl-on-girl" action... Kept me awake in any case. Beth slept through it all, ears plugged up.

Saturday morning started with breakfast at one of the many coffeestands in Winthrop. They all have it in common that there are yellowjackets EVERYWHERE, and with a dog that likes to chase/eat them, we stocked up on some Benadryl, hoping not to have to use it.

The wedding "procedures" started with a fun scavanger hunt through the town of Winthrop. But the "K-9 Assessors" probably did not do all that well, despite a hard effort. We got at least a chance to see a lot of this fun little town during hours of walking, including even given the dogs a few chances to swim in the river.

Wedding was typical Karen "affair", i.e. not like anything else! It was a wonderful outdoor wedding with guest from all over. There was even a shaman from Russia (city of Khabarovsk) with some "holy" tea, in which the couple literally tied their knots.

The "theme" for the day was silly hats, and there were some amazing creations among the guests, too many to be shown here.

Karen is not the one who you'd normally see in a dress, but she had on a beautiful wedding gown, dressed at the bottom by a pair of orange Keen sports sandals. Very fitting, very Karen! Kent was a tad more "classic" in his tie-less black suit. They looked simply very, very, happy during this great outdoor ceremony, followed by a great dinner/dance event at the "Winthrop Barn".

Apart from the amazingly vimsical wedding cake (photo), a cool thing was that Karen's dad had bought brandy when they lived in Spain, some 40 years ago. That brandy was already then 80 years old and hence now 120 years. Yum...

Take a peak at the following photos, and hopefully you'll get a good feel of a great weekend in Winthrop!

TulipFeZtival

Just got back from the TulipFestival outside La Conner. Sunny but windy day, skies clear and not a cloud, a bit on the cold side. Perfect day, since the crowds is likely otherwise unmanageable (traffic was bad in spots regardless).

Parents had planned to go to Amsterdam, but that fell through, so they crossed the polar ice cap for their third visit to Washington State - and the tulips here. Not a bad choice, heh?

Colors seem to be predominantly red and yellow, and they make for impressive scenery with the snow capped Mount Baker in the background, all under the watchful eyes of the neverending blue sky. Pretty, and we get a lot of good pictures taken. My guess is that some will show up on a Christmas card...

After flowers it is time for the obligatory visit to "downtown" La Conner. We're all hungry, so how come most (food) places in La Conner closes at 6 PM - on a Saturday - in the middle of their peak tourist season? An architect we know has designed one of the new places, nice deck towards the water, and even a little "doggie watering station" next to the entrance. It looks great, but when we try to pull the door, it is locked. At 6.05 PM? See people inside cleaning up, pay no attention to the "stupid" tourists at the door.
Lesson learned. If you are going to La Conner, eat first, bring a picnic, or realize that they really don't want you to visit at all. After some strolling, we eventually find a little neat wine store where we sample some wine and some cheese. Parents not too eager on the wine thing, we walk down the street to a local diner. It is "regular" American style food. Setting is maybe not the prettiest, but the wait staff is friendly, the prices are really reasonable and the portions huge. I think there will even be enough left over to feed dogs hiding in the car. And, most importantly, I get my micro brew - finally!

La Conner (apart from closing early...) has changed a bit since our last visit. Many buildings seem to have vanished and there is now a nice Lodge straddling the waterfront. I really like its design, and take tons of pictures, hoping to be able to incorporate some of that (design) at home.
In front of said Lodge, an old wooden yacht that has seen better days is moored. Looking closer, I see it has a Swedish flag at the mast. Walk down, but find no one home, apart from a sign telling us the 65' "ship" is for sale. I hope it goes to someone with both funds and a good heart, since it'd be waste to see such a beautiful vessel end up rotting away in the hands of a well meaning owner w/o money for its upkeep.

Ski Zeason have come and gone...

OK, many weeks have passed since anything was written in this space. Time for a short update, and also an attempt at more regular entries. With the great snow we've gotten up in the Cascades, there has been a few wonderful days up at Stevens Pass. Actually, the very first skiing in a few years. First the winters were crabby, then it was too much traveling (for work) and the finally, this winter, SNOW. Plenty of it. Over the past 35 years, I've had many great days skiing. Most memorable and on the "top 10" are probably the three years I spent in the French Alps. Living in Tignes Le Val Claret (http://www.espacekilly.com), never being further away from a slope than 2 minutes, 24/7, was simply the best. I have no idea of how many days of skiing I actually got in during those years, but it was more than I managed since. At the same time, I sometimes wonder how it came to that I did survive. Back in those days, there was little talk about the danger of avalanches, rock falls, getting lost in a white out, etc. Skiing was simply about finding "great lines" down the mountain. You followed the "locals" a few times, and when you felt comfortable, you went on your own - totally disregarding the fact that changes in snow conditions voided what little you learnt over the previous days. But, we did so much "stuff", extreme skiing of the days - with out ANY safety equipment (beacon, probe, shovel) and many times one even went alone - the 3-4 hour lunch break was precious and dragging people around (visiting tourists) had to wait until a you had a full day off. At lunch you wanted to get in maximum vertical!I specifically remember one time in the spring of 1983. I had taken the cable car up to La Grande Motte, did a few warm-up runs on one of my favorite slopes, a long and wide empty dance floor served only by two double chairs. It was exposed on top of the glacier, a bit to the side, and few people bothered with it (probably considered a bore due to its location). It resulted in short lines and A LOT of skiing - a hidden gem in plain view!Anyway, up to the summit again, crossing over the glacier (yes, alone) and then up to the summit of "Dome du Pramecou". It is a mild mountain on its south side, but with a wonderfully steep north face where all wind driven snow was dumped (deep powder as late as May...). In order to get there, you had to traverse the glacier, aptly named "mer de glace" (sea of ice), hike up to the summit and I think all that labor kept many away. The run down was as great as ever, soft snow, but no Utah powder (which I did not know at the time, but you just don't find that in the Alps). From the bottom of Pramecou's north face, one can ski down a couloir, or take another small hike up to the summit of a small peak with a name I no longer recall, but it can end up in a viciously steep and narrow couloir run back to the village. From up there, EVERYONE could see you - if they looked up that is... But, this day I was lazy and took the couloir down towards the valley where the cable was located (cable car is long gone and replaced by an UNDERGROUND tram that ferries skiers up the mountain). The couloir was as good as it could be after having been skied w/o any new snow for a couple of days. It was always in the shade and the snow was cold any nice. This steep and narrow chute, was accessible via a long traverse and hence frequent by quite a few on a daily basis. Even so, it rarely turned to ice until very late spring. Out of the couloir, I cut out to the left (north), and traversed a the shaded wide open East face of the "unnamed mountain" in order not to have to take the slope back down to the cable car. I've done this many times. You keep altitude and get a decent run in the final fall line down towards the village.
Tired after only three great descents in one? You can always rest on the way back up again. I did so, sitting in one of the cable cars going back up, looking to the west to see if I can see my tracks in the dark shadow of the unnamed peak. To my amazement (and later horror), the entire side of the mountain is now a debris field after an avalanche. It must have happened when I was waiting in line to get up again. Had I been 10 minutes or so (=one more run on top of the glacier) , I would not have been sitting here today at all. I'd probably be one of the small "snow boulders" strewn across the mountain side. Next day I did take a look at these small snow boulders, they were about the size of a VW Microbus and just as hard. It would have hurt, really bad, to be there when they came down from above... I'm not religious, but I do believe in fate and the importance of having impeccable timing...
Oh well, just another day of skiing in the wild 80ies. When there really were no rules!

I return to Tignes summer of 1986. I am greeted with the sad news that M. Perinet (my landlord) and "George" (the local butcher) have died in a climbing accident on the same glacier. "Mer de glace" ends just south of Val Claret with the "ice fall", or "le langue du glacier". It is a popular ice climbing spot in the late summers when the real ice actually gets some exposure. What I hear is that the glacier "calved" and they were crushed under the falling ice. Took many days before their bodies could be recovered. Looking back, it could just as well had been me...

Weekend away in Znow...

Spent last weekend at a lovely place on the south slopes of Mt Rainier. Apart from being secluded, we were given the best wrap/massage one can imagine. Supposedly the mud in the wrap was "Moroccan Silk Mud", direct from the Atlas Mountains! The weekend was also the tail end of the very cold weather we've had for a while. Well, now all you up north, everything is relative, we rarely dipped below 25F, -4C, but is was cold for this part of the world where we normally have very mild and wet winters. The "wet" part came straight back after the weekend. We are now soaked and it is unseasonably warm. I really like white and cold winters (what I experienced in northern Sweden), but I also have to admit that this is not too bad. If it gets much colder, heating bills skyrocket due to the shoddy building standard/insulation levels here. Well, that part (insulation levels) will hopefully be fixed by next winter.