Never gets old

At the La Conner end

Dry and cool, with the end of harvest in sight.

Too cumbersome to carry on a 17-mile spin

Gordon Skagit Farm

Impromptu Sunday spin from Mt Vernon via Gordon’s farm

Friday October 21

According to Jessica Roux's Floriography, on the Victorian language of flowers, dandelions stand for for divination. I predict excellent meals ahead.

Thursday is install the quartz countertops day

Winter is coming

Over 7 miles round trip and 2500’

By 4pm it was time to turn around as sunset was 6pm. Extraordinary atmospheric effects on what likely one of the last of our crazy hot October days.

Granite Mountain

Started at noon to try a hike to the lookout. Smoke hanging in the valley for the first 1000' but then we broke through into the blue. This is one steep climb.

A favorite barn on the Teanaway River Road

Managed almost 25 miles after a month off the bike (other priorities since W'ville wine ride
My first time on the road that leads to Ingalls Lake. Glorious and much less smoke from the Colt Creek fire on Hwy 2.

Red Bridge Road (no Red Bridge anymore) over the Teanaway

Back in the saddle (bike ride) in amazing hot Oct weather

The flying M ranch outside Cle Elum

Fiorello in Shilshole

Haven't been ridden since June 2020, pandemic only one of the causes of delay. However mitigating today's smoky air was the goal so seeking ocean breezes in golden gardens was the best choice. Definitely a "balade en velo" sort of Saturday.

Progress by Wednesday October 12

Cabinets in, knobs installed, handles ordered, sink test placed, countertops measured, toe kicks and top fill pieces placed, tile sourced. For me it's now: clean and dust the walls, buy coordinated switch plates, wall paint and think about under cabinet lighting, updated pendant lights, installing the IKEA pantry. After that I'll be comfortable enough to line drawers and cupboards and reshelve a curated subset of kitchenware, and donating the rest.

Transformation by plank flooring

It's water-resistant vinyl in color acacia, which echoes the mixed color rainforest wood floors of Aussie houses I'd admired but it's not hardwood because I doubt the existing foundation could handle the weight, and engineered floors look pretty amazing. It was
bittersweet to reveal the original 3-color sponging from 1997. None of us are who we once were..

Leveling the laundry floor

Do not glue particle board to the wood subfloor. Use nails! Previous owners! OMG! Tear out of kitchen took a few hours. Tear out of laundry took a day+. But I resisted the idea of etching my initials into the new substrate.

Work started October 3

Wrap up for 2022 WTA trail work

I wasn't able to complete any BCRTs last year, with only a single Aug one in the wierdness of covid era trail report on the PCT at Deep Lake in 2020, so managing 2 this year was very satisfying. It was wonderful to be back on Lake Chelan for only the 2nd time since 1993? when I hiked the lakeshore trail one Memorial Day off the Lady of the Lake. Speak, memory.
I am blessed to be able to do this and even know how to make it happen.

Back to the 25-mile creek dock

Tools and transportation in a gloriously scenic location

The USFS boat from the dock at 25-mile creek ranger station.

My home for the 5 day/4 night BCRT and day one’s progress- wow!

September 26 lunch on Lake Chelan

The fire smoke sunsets of Lake Chelan

From Manson and from the WTA trail work site just over one week ago.