I KNOW....I KNOW....

....IT'S BEEN A MONTH
since I posted! I can't even begin to explain how crazy busy I have been. All I can say is that it is all good...a great experience...and well worth the effort! I just have had to give up on some of the things I love to do (scrapping, designing, taking and posting photos). I've heard a lot of comments from friends and family on my lack of posting too. We decided to take a break and escape it all for a couple days, so I thought I'd spend awhile after a long, relaxing, rejuvenating weekend to post a few photos.

SUN MOUNTAIN LODGE
We spent the weekend with several friends up at the local retreat spot that tends to draw us in with their wonderful "local's" special a couple times a year. This was the first time we had hit the "spring" special. The weather was not spring like at all, however, and we were able to get our last snow days in before the weather heats up. Here's our view from our room. How can you not love this...

A NEW FAMILY FAVORITE
A couple of December's ago when we went to Sun Mountain the women went snow shoeing while the men when cross country skiing (something new to my downhill stud husband). He kept telling me he thought I would love Nordic skiing (because of the lack of "thrill factor" and high level of "observing nature") so I was all game when we heard the Methow still had snow on the ground. We rented skis for the whole family here in town before heading up. We all absolutely LOVED IT! Other than the fact that we are all extremely sore (it truly is a full body work out), and exhausted, I think we'll be looking for some skis of our own by next winter. Here we are trying out the skis near the lodge on day one...

That is the frozen Lake Patterson in the background.

Day two, we set out on a longer trek out around Beaver Pond, a favorite spot of ours. Although We've explored on foot and on bike...it was a whole new experience out on skis. We made it out farther than I had ever ventured before and checked out the old homestead which is a designated rest spot along the trail. The Morrison-Nelsons, us, and six of the kids made it around the whole loop (one way or another....sorry Lynell, you had to repeat the scenery)! So much fun! The boys had a blast!

Today we checked out of the lodge and headed up north-west to Mazama to hit some more trails. It was snowing, and we didn't realize when we went out that it would end up being a whole day adventure, but it was. Our destination goals were the art wall (see photo, lots of sculptures on one wall along a steep slope on the Methow River) and a suspension bridge over the river (which we did, indeed cross for a snack before heading back). We made it, but the trip back was a bit crazy! The snow had accumulated several inches by then and we could barely slide. It was a lot of work, and we are all extremely tired!

Of course we hit one of our favorite spots, the Twisp River Pub, on the way back for a little comfort food. It was family movie night so we watched "Madagascar II" while we ate, which was a perfect wind down for the kiddos who had been "forced" to spend family time and active time with us the entire weekend.

Jill and Steve called on their way home to tell us to take the "Lower Beaver Creek" turn off because it was covered in eagles. We got out the GPS at the restaurant (while the kids were watching their movie) and plotted our route! What an awesome little road! I think we'll be taking this detour more often. I think Max counted 17 eagles in the short (I don't know, maybe 1 mile) road. We got out and took a bunch of photos. I didn't notice until I got home and put the photos on the computer that the white on the eagles was stained with dirt, blood, and icky stuff on almost each bird. I think they have been feasting on something decaying (or maybe the calving leftovers of the cattle farm on the road near there). They were happy, well fed, and not wanting to fly. They posed well for photos, although the trees and branches got in our way.

I'll try not to wait another month before sharing! I'd love to be out taking more photos! Soon..,.