2011-26 Snoqualmie Falls, Washington
Hello All,
Our next adventure was in June. It found us driving to Atlanta, GA where we put the car in long term parking and then flew to Seattle, WA. We had been asked to house sit for Barb’s daughter and family while they went on a long awaited trip to Brazil. We were so envious. However, it was an ideal opportunity for us to explore the Pacific Northwest. Our main charge was to make sure their cats had food, water and their litter changed. Cats are pretty self-sufficient on their own for four or five days, which allowed us to make a few extended sightseeing trips.
Their home in Redmond, WA, is hidden in the forest and has a large beautiful deck. We enjoyed our morning coffee while watching the different birds and squirrels visiting the feeders--most of the wildlife was different than what we see in the southern states. Add in the gorgeous flowers of the northwest and it made for a refreshing way to start the day.
Our next adventure was in June. It found us driving to Atlanta, GA where we put the car in long term parking and then flew to Seattle, WA. We had been asked to house sit for Barb’s daughter and family while they went on a long awaited trip to Brazil. We were so envious. However, it was an ideal opportunity for us to explore the Pacific Northwest. Our main charge was to make sure their cats had food, water and their litter changed. Cats are pretty self-sufficient on their own for four or five days, which allowed us to make a few extended sightseeing trips.
Their home in Redmond, WA, is hidden in the forest and has a large beautiful deck. We enjoyed our morning coffee while watching the different birds and squirrels visiting the feeders--most of the wildlife was different than what we see in the southern states. Add in the gorgeous flowers of the northwest and it made for a refreshing way to start the day.
This Spotted Towhee was a
frequent visitor to the feeders.
Fuchsias and foxgloves were in
bloom.
Here a common western gray
squirrel is getting his morning meal at a squirrel-proof feeder!
Since the closure on the
feeder was slowing him down in getting to the sunflower seeds he tried to disassemble
it.
However, when a Douglas
squirrel arrives on the pole everyone else scatters. These smaller squirrels
are notorious fighters and will take on all comers. They are so cute to be so
mean!
We saw as many as three gray
squirrels at a time on the squirrel-proof feeder. Every time a Douglas squirrel
would come around the gray squirrels would bail off the feeder. They ended up
breaking the tack weld on the bracket that attached the feeder to the pole. The
feeder then slumped to one side and the feast was on! Not sure there’s a feeder
made that these guys can’t figure out how to break into.
After a couple of days we decided to take a day trip up into the Cascade Mountains. It is a beautiful drive that we have made many times in the past. Our target destination was Snoqualmie Falls. Although 100 feet higher than Niagara Falls it is far less famous.
Mountain ranges in the west had received unusually heavy snowfalls during the winter. This resulted in a deep snow pack. We anticipated that with the spring melt in full swing the creeks and rivers would be running at capacity. This would make the waterfalls of the area spectacular photo opportunities.
When we arrived at Snoqualmie Falls we were surprised to see that the area was a far cry from the rustic surroundings it had been in the past. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had developed a beautiful park at the falls--we were quite impressed. Paved sidewalks were built where rugged old dirt paths had been in the past. It was appropriately named Snoqualmie Falls Park.
After a couple of days we decided to take a day trip up into the Cascade Mountains. It is a beautiful drive that we have made many times in the past. Our target destination was Snoqualmie Falls. Although 100 feet higher than Niagara Falls it is far less famous.
Mountain ranges in the west had received unusually heavy snowfalls during the winter. This resulted in a deep snow pack. We anticipated that with the spring melt in full swing the creeks and rivers would be running at capacity. This would make the waterfalls of the area spectacular photo opportunities.
When we arrived at Snoqualmie Falls we were surprised to see that the area was a far cry from the rustic surroundings it had been in the past. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had developed a beautiful park at the falls--we were quite impressed. Paved sidewalks were built where rugged old dirt paths had been in the past. It was appropriately named Snoqualmie Falls Park.
The landscaping was fantastic.
There were gorgeous rhododendron bushes blooming throughout. They are so
magnificent!
The following photo is a good
example of how to ruin a photo of a beautiful flowering bush!! Sorry, Barb made
me include it!
Rhododendrons have such
beautiful clusters of flowers.
As anticipated the Snoqualmie
River going over the 270 foot waterfall did not disappoint--the thundering
sound and sight of the water exploding into a giant cloud of mist below was
awesome.
We’ll have more on our
adventures in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in our future little blurbs.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns