Years of Poems and Spirits

Last Sat. we went cherry picking with family and friends in East Wenatchee. It was a long drive in a hot day with a large group (20 some people including babies and grannies). By the time it was over, everyone felt exhausted.

But it was a beautiful drive. We took highway-2, which largely followed river valleys through that part of the Cascades. First it was the Wenatchee River then it the Columbia River. The Wenatchee was at its peak in terms of water volume. As water roars, swirls and jumps down the valley, it feels like a beast in heat. The Columbia is a lot quieter, regally meandering through barren hills and plains like a dark blue ribbon laid around a silky, wheat-colored dress.

I did all the driving on our way back to town. It was about 6 or 7 pm, the sun was setting in the valley. Everyone fell into deep sleep as the car silently gliding along the winding mountain road. It was as if driving in the night but with daylight on. I was with many people yet felt alone. It was surreal.

As I drove in and out of shadows of mountains–the mighty Mt. Index was shrouded in a rich, golden cover of sun light, I suddenly recalled the melody of Debussy’s Danses Sacree et Profane. The soothing and pious theme played by the harp kept coming back as if accomping a procession of priests. The sense of sacredness and mystic was exactly how I felt at that moment.

Hiked to Granite Mountain this past Sat. 10/13. Best fall color ever seen in my 8 years here. Awesome!

1. 9/29: Rachel Lake, exit 63 off I-90. Nice 4-miler with a pretty steep last mile. But since I have done Mailbox Peak already, this one was not intimidating. Went with Jackson School friends. Two guys in excellent shape and I had a hard time keep up with them. But the view was spectacular. It was my first time to see snow and full fall foliage together. I thought I had seen enough so did not bring a camera. Felt like a fool looking at this view.

2. 10/5: Lake Ingalls, exit 85 off I-90. First time ever camping on foot-deep snow. Temperature around freezing in the night. Needed some upgrades for winter camping.

Originally planned to go to the Enchantments with Steve and XiaoJun. However, the weather forecast was inconclusive and the ranger answering our phone calls was pretty determined to talk us out of it. After hours of debate, we decided to cancel the trip.

Song was game to go to a lighter hike to see the larch trees. I knew about Ingalls and had been there a summer before. It was a very good hike. Not all larch trees are peaking at the moment but those did looked awesome in full snow.