On Higher Ground

This summer has slipped by. But not quick enough for my husband and I to venture into the mountains, climbing to the top of Grizzly Mountain lookout tower. We began the day picking huckleberries with one of our sons and his family. Then we forked away and up the mountain. Here is a photo journal of our expedition into the high country.

Our adventures included hearing various species of birds singing in the cool mountain air. A deer or too hopping from one side of the road to the other. Crickets chirping in the distance, adding to the melody. Bumble bees and moose sign. We drove to a pond on the side of the road in hope of capturing an image of a moose, but no such luck. My husband had seen one or two in that area from time to time, but not that day. We’ll have to try next year.

I don’t know what these are, but they displayed their beauty in the highest rocky terrain. No scent. Soft, sturdy and evidently hardy.

The hills were littered with these purple flowers. Actually, the hills and old logging roads were covered with blankets of the next few images of flowers. The essence of summer, cool mountains, God’s greatest beauty and gift to us and animals.

I’m keeping these images sideways so I don’t have to crop them and you can see the entire beauty of them. Thank you for understanding! Many of my smartphone pictures refused to download. I will post them on my Facebook timeline on and off. Come join me in this pictorial adventure … Carmen.

Below is the no longer used Grizzly Mountain lookout tower. I began to climb the stairs and some of the boards were loose or missing. As you can guess, I didn’t climb very high. My husband did not even attempt. The view was spectacular!

Views from the top. The air was clean. The scent of pine and fir and larch swirled in the gentle breeze. I would have liked to stay longer, but the sun was dropping quickly and the cool air moved in at a rapid pace.

Looking west toward the Cascade Mountains. This is the San Poil Drainage and on of our sons resides in this valley. Lush green grass, the San Poil river filled with fishing opportunities.

The last of the wilderness. No roads in some areas where deer and other game are plentiful. No traffic. No cell phones. Only the whisper of the past saunters through, leaving an imprint in our hearts.

My hubby, making sure I stop and smell the flowers during the busy summer months. I could have laid my head down and the blanket of soft grass and napped, surrounded by peace and contentment.

As summer comes to an end, here in Inchelium School has begun and students are trying to wrap their minds around classroom subjects, fairs are around the corner, routines are creaking with motion, I think back and know my time was spent well with family, friends, animals, and grandchildren. A road trip here and there, books finished and started.

Overall, life is good. I wish you loads of blessings.

I wish you bloom-fulls of blessings as we scuttle into fall.