Cutthroat Lake was a cool refuge on a hot day.
It was an easy song to sing while pedaling along on my old blue Schwinn: “Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket/never let it fade away/Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket/save it for a rainy day.”
Falling stars, more specifically meteor showers, were prolific on Saturday night into early Sunday (Aug. 12-13). What a spectacular show to see upwards of 50 shining streaks across the perfectly clear night — better than any show man can create. Even more reason to be an advocate for pursuing “dark skies” in our ever-growing populated valley.
The North Cascades Highway has dictated the ebb and flow of visitors to the valley with its on-again, off-again closures. Its noticeably quieter in Mazama when the flow off the mountain dries up. PCT hikers have continued to wind their way down on foot, but then are faced with the challenge of heading down valley to make their way back to Seattle or beyond.
A recent father and son duo from Seattle, Stanley and Yeju, had decided to hike just the part of the trail from Rainy Pass trailhead to Canada. Soon into their trek, a thunder and lightning storm overtook them. With strikes and booms all around them, followed by a pounding hailstorm, it seemed the wise thing to do to wait for the moment to hightail it down the mountain and into Mazama. Mary, trail angel at Lion’s Den, of course, took them in before they searched for a ride back to their car at Rainy Pass. With no traffic heading up the pass, Mary then offered to shuttle them back.
Our local farrier was struck by smash-and-grab thieves while he was on the Olympic Peninsula to provide drop camp services. What a disappointing shock to come back to the trailhead and find his work truck with three smashed windows and many of his all-important horseshoeing tools stolen. Now, why in the world would these quick-grab burglars take an anvil, but they did. In an interesting twist, his leather chinks were part of the booty, but discarded on another road. Through social networking, he was at least reunited with them after someone found them and posted their find.
Methow Fresh — which has been delivering take-and-bake meals in Mazama and beyond for a while — has some exciting news. They are now at the Rolling Huts location, open noon-9 p.m., Thursday through Monday. You can stop and have pizza and salads and some of their own specials hot from the pizza oven. Pickup and delivery of their regular menu will also still be available. Stop on Friday, Aug. 18, from 5-8 p.m. for samples during their launch party.
I was about to write that most bicycle riders have shown proper trail etiquette when encountering horses this season — until today. Unfortunately, a few disregarded proper etiquette, which is to stop and dismount or at the very least slow down and ask what the best approach is. Horses were spooked by the behavior of a few. One rider called out “on your left” from an approach from behind. Horses are not fellow bicycle riders and do not respond especially well to a bicycle approaching at a fast speed from behind. Please beware, bicyclists. Horses always have the right of way.
As the heat of the week sets it, folks head to the water. Cutthroat Lake has a cool and quiet beauty, especially while the pass is closed.
I was in Lahaina, Maui, only one time in the early 1980s, but I remember it clearly for its unique historical downtown. What a horrific sight to see it decimated, as if a bomb hit it. Hawaiians maintain a closely knit culture and will support each other in their grief and loss.
