Last Wall Standing

High above the town of Okanogan is an old homestead with not much left. I'm not sure if this was part of the house, a shed or what.

Last Wall Standing

Runway #4

Oh, that runway looks so short, but we had plenty of room.

On Approach to Runway 4 at Okanogan Airport

A New View of the Chicken Dance Ranch

On the morning of July 4th, my brother-in-law, Jim, called me. He wondered if we were at the CDR. We sure were so he wanted to know if we wanted to go for a short airplane ride. What?! An airplane ride?! You betcha! So Jim flew over from the coast and we met him at the Okanogan Airport. What takes us four hours to go by land, he did in just over an hour.

The weather was perfect for a flight around the Okanogan area. Jim took us over the CDR and various other spots around the valley. We made a quick landing at the Omak airport, just because we could. Then it was time to head back to Okanogan. I had a blast! Best of all, I got to see our house from the air! Thanks, Jim!!

CDR from the Air

Living History

Taken a few weeks ago at the Okanogan Days celebration. There was a Living History exhibit complete with Old World Oxen. They were HUGE beasts but I loved their gentle look. While I appreciate the trials and tribulations of the pioneers (and their spirit), I am glad for my modern conveniences at the CDR.

 Wagon Exhibit

Old World Oxen

Okanogan County Commandos

A few weeks ago, we went to the Washington Football League Championship Game between the Okanogan County Commandos (10-2) and the Wenatchee Rams (9-3). Football in June! Love it!

It was a nice evening weather-wise as it rained all around our area, but just a few drops sprinkled the spectators in the stadium. I think that was a good omen for the hometown team.

The game was a closely fought contest, and in the end the Commandos prevailed, winning 16-10 over the Rams.

Skywatch Friday - Sunrise

One of the benefits (or downfalls depending on how you look at it) of being at the Okanogan house is no TV. We normally go to bed early and get up early the next morning. Early enough to enjoy the sunrise.

On this particular morning, the sky was brightening and then the sun looked like fire as it crested the ridge.

Wait for it!

Here it comes!

Go check out more fantastic pictures from the Skywatch participants by clicking on the banner above.

Skywatch Friday - Sailors Take Warning

Red sky at night, sailor's delight,

Red sky at morning, sailors take warning

Sunrise in the Okanogan

It's worth the trip!

Skywatch Friday #60 - Okanogan Sky

Okanogan Sky

The Skywatch team of Klaus, Ivar, Sandy, Wren & Fishing Guy help to bring us great pictures every week. Click on the badge below to check some out.

Skywatch Friday #59 - Sunset at Banks Lake

Last Saturday, we spent the afternoon at Banks Lake near Grand Coulee, Washington. Banks Lake is ringed with basalt cliffs and is a very scenic area.

Basalt Cliffs

Karl and his friend, Sean, were kayak fishing while I had a wonderful little beach practically to myself. The dogs and I played in the warm lake water and explored the shore area.

I found sixteen golf balls which I took back to the Okanogan house for whacking around our property. Then you go hunting for them in the tall grasses. It reminds me of an Easter egg hunt.

I watched the sun set across Banks Lake. The smoke from the Oden Road fire near Okanogan had drifted that way and added to the brilliant colors in the sky.

Sunset from the Beach...

...And a Few Minutes Later

Then the mosquitoes came out and it was time to leave!

To see more beautiful shots from skies around the world, click on the badge below. The Skywatch family keeps growing each week thanks to the wonderful hosting team of Klaus, Sandy, Ivar, Wren and Fishing Guy!

My World 46 - Okanogan Farmers Market

The small town of Okanogan, Washington has a vibrant Farmers Market on Saturday mornings from May through October. When in town, Karl and I enjoy going to the market for fresh produce and other goodies, including breakfast. This is one of the best farmers markets around.

Part of the Farmers Market under the Shady Trees

A Wide Selection of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Homemade Baked Goods

Karl waiting for his favorite Fry Bread

This past Saturday, I bought a one dollar ticket for a chance at the basket of wares from various vendors at the market. The money goes toward supporting the farmers market. Lo and behold I won!

The basket included baby potatoes, corn on the cob, rutabaga, an eggplant, a couple of varieties of peppers, cherry tomatoes, donut peaches, an apple, a red pear, two plums, basil, cinnamon honey, huckleberry bread, a large chocolate and sugar cookie, a bracelet with butterfly charms, a cat toy, a neck cooler tie and a beautiful embroidered t-shirt that says "I love my garden". It was a totally awesome basket.

The Winning Basket

Now that you've seen what's happening in My World, click on the badge below to check out some others.

Skywatch Friday #56 - Peaks of the North Cascades

On our trip over to pick up the camper in Okanogan two Fridays ago, we drove through some thunder storms in the North Cascades. In the aftermath of the storms, the peaks of the North Cascade range were crisp and clear in evening light.


We passed through another quick downpour. Upon rounding a bend in the road, we were treated to a spectacular double rainbow although the outer one was much fainter.


To see more great shots of skies around the globe or to share yours, click on the Skywatch Friday badge below.

Fire Season is Here

This time of year in the Okanogan makes me nervous. Why? Fire season is upon us.

People think of Washington State as being very green, and it is -- on the west side of the Cascade mountains. Eastern Washington is a different climate with semi-desert like conditions.

After buying the property in Okanogan last year, we started having to deal with the threat of fire in dry summer months. It was something we weren't used to and still are nervous Nellies to this day when it comes to fire.

While we can take precautions to minimize the risk of fire damage, like keeping any trees and tall vegetation away from the house, having a metal roof and cement siding (such as Hardie Plank) and of course no outdoor burning, some things are out of our control. Lightning strikes are one of the main causes of fires. The Monday after the July 4th weekend gave us a strong reminder that it is that time of year again.

As we drove down the hill towards town, you could see the storms coming across the Cascades and enveloping the valley and hills around Omak. The sky was almost black. I quickly grabbed the camera and started snapping. I apologize for some of the reflections, but I didn't notice it until after I downloaded the photos.

The storm made for some magnificent pictures with the contrast between light and dark. We were coming from an area with sun breaks in the clouds.

Darkness over the Basalt Ridge

Storm over Omak

Looking towards the Northeast Horizon

At one point, Karl thought he spotted smoke in the distance, the probable result from a lightning strike. Unfortunately, by the time we rounded the bend in the road again, the storm clouds had moved in and obscured the hillside.

Growing Ever Darker

Darker Still

We got lucky and missed most of the storm. Only a few raindrops on the windshield. In traveling across Loup Loup pass where the storm had just blown through, there was plenty of hail along the roadside. I guess our timing was right in coming down the hill and escaping the fury of Mother Nature.

Still, it made me worry about the potential for fire so now I check online every day to see what the weather is and if there have been any fires reported. It helps to have great neighbors who also keep an eye on things.

But will I ever get used to this? I'd better if we plan on living there.

Mellow Yellow Monday #27 - Final Bloom

Not many flowers are left at the Okanogan house. It's getting too dry and the flowers are dying out. I was able to find this lone soldier still reaching for the sun.


To see more fun pictures with a yellow theme or to share one of your own, click on the Mellow Yellow Monday badge below.

Camera Critters #66 - Ahh, Grasshopper

The fields around the Okanogan house are filling up fast with grasshoppers again.

Last year, I thought they were a nuisance. This year the grasshoppers became photo opportunities. :-)



While the photo quality is nowhere near as good as koand's, he sure was an inspiration for me to take these pictures. Dziękuję bardzo, koand!

To see more cool Camera Critters or to share your own, click on the badge below.

Skywatch Friday #52 - 4th of July Weekend

I saw many interesting skies while in Okanogan for the weekend of July 4th. Ever since I started participating in Skywatch Friday, my head is in the clouds. Sort of. I'm forever looking upward instead of forward which could be dangerous. Hey! As long as I'm NOT driving it's okay. Right?

I'll start you off with Saturday afternoon. We are in a popular flight path for airliners flying high overhead. I'm always seeing their contrails streaking across the sky. I captured this interesting signature left in the sky by 3 jets.

The Mark of Zorro

As evening fell, we headed south to Brewster to watch the fireworks. Boy did the sky look like it was on fire as the sun dropped down behind the Cascade Mountains. It was spectacular!

Old Farm Equipment at Sunset

Sunset over the Cascades

Sunday brought a different viewpoint at sunset but still not disappointing.

Soft Glow Behind Trees

If you'd like to share your own sky shots, or see what other people are sharing, click on the Skywatch Friday badge below.



In memory of John Donahoo, November 5, 1961 - July 2, 2009. I hope you were watching down on us from these skies.

Skywatch Friday #46 - The Old Homestead

This past Saturday, our neighbor in Okanogan took me out to an old abandoned homestead that we can see from our property.

The old barn was very interesting. It had these doors all the way around the bottom with canvas or rubber hinges. Many of the doors were missing. I'm not sure what was stored in the barn. Maybe it was for drying some kind of plants. I don't know. The barn itself was in amazingly good shape compared to the other structures on the property.

Abandoned Barn

Stairway to Heaven perhaps?

Hinged Door at Bottom Edge of Barn

We think we found the old stone foundation where the house used to sit. There was also another area where some kind of large covered shed used to stand but was now in pieces on the ground.

Plus there was the corral for loading livestock destined for the market.

Empty Corral

Remains of Horse Drawn Farm Equipment

It was a beautiful afternoon in the Okanogan Valley for sure!

To see more wonderful skies around the world or to participate in Skywatch Friday, click on the badge below.