Here’s a journey that must be told through photographs. Our annual trip to Stehekin is always filled with such immense beauty and this year’s adventure was no exception. Stehekin provides a sacred wilderness that seems to defy time. Leslie, Winnie, and I filled our days with various hikes, while Rick spent his days fishing for trout on the Stehekin River and writing haiku.
Below are the many photos that should come with the scent of pine and pitch, the smell of the glacial light-blue river, the ever-present distant smell of a camp fire which, sadly, comes from the forest fires that are raging in various areas in Washington state. The following photos should also come with sounds: the tired fearless engine of the ol’ family truck as Leslie shifts it into gear and gets going, the rushing river, the tumbling waterfall of Rainbow Falls, the sound of our footsteps on the trails, the chattering of the squirrels as Winnie scares them up trees, the wisps of the wind coming off Lake Chelan, the never ending conversations that Leslie and I share on the trail, the high pitched hum of mosquitoes on the River Trail, and the occasional loud clapping of our hands as we come around a bend on the trail in order to warn any bears that might be just around the corner because, no, we don’t want to surprise a bear!
Enjoy Stehekin, Washington and a few photos at the end from Chelan.
Our first evening sunset in Stehekin: Tradition calls for a postprandial walk to Rainbow Falls. On our way back from the falls, the sky turned red. The smoke from the fires was kept at bay on this first night and the whole next day because of the wind (blowing in our favor). However, once the wind died down, the Stehekin Valley slowly filled with smoke. Ironically, the smoke made for gorgeous photos and dramatic Cathedral lighting.
Back at the cabin, Winnie kept busy chasing squirrels up trees.
A visit to Stehekin is not complete without a visit to The Garden, where I stocked up on the garden’s veggies, fruit, and goat cheese.
Dahlia I (dinner plate size!)
Dahlia II
Dahlia III Karl grows these dazzlers in his garden. I love the variety in the Dahlia family of flowers.
And this year, Karl added a roofed structure to protect his fridge and tables bearing honey, beeswax candles, salves, and herbs. Beautiful Navaho weaving.
Winnie is very comfortable in the old truck! We think she had a truck in her pre-rescued life.
Reminders of fires past….
“Ah, this cold water feels good on my hot paws! And it is oh-so-refreshing to drink!”
Woman’s Best Friend (I think of all the photos, this one captures the Lakeside Trail the best as well as the JOY these two have found in each other!).
Hair-whipping wind coming off Lake Chelan
My friend Winnie (Oh, by the way, the water really is that blue! The water comes from melted glacial water carrying silt that creates this unique blue color.)
Back at the cabin, our Haiku-Fisherman Rick has caught us a dinner sized trout!
Rick in his fishing raft on the Stehekin River.
Sit and Stay a while: my reading bench
I know it says “River Trail” but it could have said “Mosquito Trail”, which would have been more descriptive. We have never encountered mosquitoes like this on the River Trail! DEET Jungle Juice Off Repellent needed to be reapplied again and again, but worked and kept us going.
All good things come to an end and our time in Stehekin went by quickly. This was taken before departure by float plane. Here is our float plane waiting for us. You can see how much smoke from the forest fires has moved into the Stehekin Valley.
Back in Chelan: Full-Figured Coco (she is adorable!)
Mr. Tickman with his pose of total abandon and his belly that begs to be pet. This little boy magically wriggled his way into the Fichtner household.
Irresistible Tickman
I think this bowl of kibble says it all!
And lastly, this is MY hydrangea! Leslie’s mom planted this bush and called her Francesca. This makes me so happy!
Astonishing prose & photos…..thank you..
Thank you, marykay!! -Fran
It was such a pleasure to view these images! Simply exquisite!
Thought you’d love all the images, but especially the kitty ones. See you very soon! -Fran
Seems like a thousand years ago, I visited Stehekin and reported a story for PBS on the last remaining one room school house in Washington State. Met Carl and Mary who would bring their famous Honey Bear Bakery to Seattle and in between interviews I learned to water ski on Lake Chelan. Your post and photos makes me want to return.
Thanks, Michael! I hope you do return. Carl is still there! He has an incredible garden, goats, and you will always find him walking about barefoot among his dahlias. Stehekin is super special! -Fran
Despite the smoke, a wonderful trip, for me full of fish and haiku. Big thanks to Leslie for sharing her family cabin for this ultimate getaway!
Rick