East of the Mountains You hear that expression a lot living here in Seattle. East of the mountains is where we go for sunny warm weather in the summer, apples in the fall, skiing in the winter, and gorgeous wildflowers in the spring. Last Saturday, Rick and I drove through rain, over to Pine Hills, east of the mountains, where rain gave way to mist, and mist gave way to dramatic clouds and bursts of sunshine. There, we spent the day with our friends and fellow yogis, Ginger and Woody. We did a five-mile walk on their pine-wooded property and had a magical visit.
wildflowers and green meadows
pine trees and pine cones
an old abandoned cabin about to be restored
groundskeeper-jack-of-many-trades Shane welcoming us to have a look around
the socked-in rainfall turned to face-moisturizing misty drops
tell me more about how you met Patty, I ask Ginger. what will you miss most about her, I ask.
i imagine the bright yellow balsam wildflowers and deep blue camas flowers will smile as the Wednesday Walkers approach with the ashen treasure in their hands
ashes of a dear friend about to be strewn in the alpine-forested meadow, ashes among the late spring wildflowers, memories of Patty carried by the wind
the rainbow I couldn’t find as the misty drops fell and the sun started to make its appearance
the squinty-eyed foursome almost ready for the bright sun
late spring in Pine Hills, a day well spent
The photos below capture some of the imagery I mention in my free writing above:
Fran: This is a delightful and very artistic remembrance of our truly outstanding day at Pine Hills. Wonderful to spend time with you and Rick and great to have lengthy conversations as we strolled around the property. All four of us have many memories of the times we’ve spent there. Big hugs for you and Rick. Love, Woody
Hi Woody, So many great memories at Pine Hill ….and we just keep adding to our great experiences there. Thank you for sharing the beauty of this place with us. Love, Fran
OH, Fran,
I was JUST there! only for a couple days with the Wednesday walkers. We scattered Patty’s ashes, and all spoke and wept. it was a wonderful, if short trip. I forgot to take pictures. Thank you: yours are better!
Namaste, jania (nelson) 🙂
Dear Jania, I am so happy I was able to take these photos and post them so that you can have them to remember your special day there, honoring Patty. Your Wednesday Walker group is so inspirational. And I am so happy that you had Patty as one of your group members since the beginning! Be well and I hope our paths cross again soon. Namaste, Fran
Nice to see Ginger and Woody in the photo, they both look great!
Sounds like you had a wonderful day!
Beautiful photos ❤️
Love,
Nora
Ginger and Woody are doing great! It was so good to see them after so much time had passed! Next time you come visit, we will arrange for you to go visit Pine Hills. It’s beautiful. love, Fran
Your free writing is incredible, I wanted to be there sharing that experience with you 🌼 love the images but that kitchen, how I’d love to hang out in the cabin in the mountains!
Hi Zina, Next time you come visit, we will plan a visit to Pine Hills with Woody and Ginger if they are around and available to be there with us. That kitchen in the cabin really does make you wonder how many apple pies were baked there! The remodel of the cabin will be beautiful. Love, Fran
Reading your lovely words and savoring your keen-eye photos, was all satisfying, as easy as eating a slice of apple pie. “Could I bake an apple pie in that oven?” I wondered. History embedded in the walls would let me know straight away.
I bet you could bake your dreamy apple pie in that oven! The cabin, though abandoned, seemed to hold a fairly well-accoutered kitchen! The photos were all taken with my iPhone. The cabin was locked so the kitchen scenes were photographed from the outside window. Thank you for your comment. Means the world to me. From one writer to another! Namaste, Fran