ODDS 'N ENDS!

Our area is waking up after a long winter and when I say waking up, I really mean it is literally burst into spring overnight.

First we woke up this morning to a hail storm that covered the property with pea size ice.

 Then I see all our bulbs, trees and plants sprouting new life.

Just hours later it was in the mid-70's and I had to take this photo for my sister in Denver who was getting hammered with snow...lol!

Donna is laying low with her babies in a very comfortable blanket from her "lunch bunch" girls. As you might see from the refection in the window it was a beautiful afternoon.

If for no other reason than to experiment, I am leaving about a 1/4 acre as wild. No mowing or weeding just to see how it looks after the summer. Donna isn't too sure why, since the Washington National Forest land is only 100 feet away?

See that dark material covering the road?

That's our "personal" oiler putting down a nice layer of North Dakota petroleum to control the dust. Corbett Creek Road wraps 3/4 way around our property so no one benefits more from dust control than Donna and I. About six of us property owners throw in together to oil the road. It makes such a difference because after the fact there is virtually, no dust! I can't imagine why other property owners down the road don't do it too unless it's a matter of money.

With this photo I was teasing my older brother, who lives in San Diego, (the town with the worlds best weather) as he was sweltering in 100 plus temperatures...even on the beach. Now it's not all that humorous since they have terrible fires all over...good luck bro!

I've still not met a mean spirited person in this valley but I am amazed that with all the churches here, you'll still not find a "Southern Baptist or Synagogue" in town. 

Donna was getting claustrophobic and wanted out of the house and thought the Sherman Creek Apple Orchard would be in spring bloom. We were actually a week late. These pears were in bloom, but that's about all.

We talked to the owners and found out we were two weeks late for the apple tree bloom. I will be looking forward to some delicious "Honey Crisp" and deer apples this coming fall though.

Even in the middle of May there is still a nice snowpack in the higher elevations, and when I say higher, this mountain is probably only 6000 feet. Washington is at 100% normal for snowpack this year, something the lower western states wished they had.

After the apple orchard, we drove up a dirt road to Trout Lake.

In my opinion they could of renamed it "Mud Lake"...I did not see a trout, perch, bass or even a bluegill! It may of been operator malfunction because I did see some folks in a float tube haul fish in with every cast!  :-)

Later...........