John & Anne Wiley

We feel a special kinship with the Pacific NorthWest from each having lived there for many years before we met. Some of our fondest memories are of the colorful sunny days, because they stand out so brilliantly from the months of gray overcast and drizzle. Since we only fly in fairly good weather, our trips to the PNW have usually been on days like these during the flight from Renton to Spokane.

1850 Memory Cascade

It brought a cascade of fond memories as we entered the Cascades. Forest, flecks of snow on the mountains even in summer, and rivers running through it all.

1864 River Run

So many memories along such rivers, and the innumerable creeks feeding them. Then across the dry prairie to Spokane, where we got this great view of the waterworks we’d taken a short afternoon walk on a previous adventure.

1928 Spokane Waterworks

I enjoyed a deep, delicious sigh just now looking at these pix again and remembering our glorious times here – both recent and decades ago. So much water has gone under the bridge, and life keeps getting better. Now we see many of these places from aerial perspectives that greatly enhance the contemplative view we’re gleaning from the decades gone by.

The effects of “prop advance” that I’ve mentioned before have combined with the fact we holed up for a while after arriving home. So these pix from our 8/8 flight have the feel of something long ago. Having had all the coastal flying during the return trip on my side of the plane adds another long ago note to these pix from the flight North. As I wrote back then, nearly all of the scenery was on Anne & Joy’s side of the plane. So it’s a little surprising to see that I did manage to snap a few pix I like on that day.

1690 SF Bird Rocks

Because they were offshore I snapped these bird rocks in the churning surf just before we reached Pedro Point. A minute later the Point itself came into view, and I like the stark angularity of it.

1691 Pedro Point

A moment after as we crested the Point, this tiny settlement intrigued me. Was it once a fish camp? Have those boxy beach houses ever been impacted by high tides, seas or a tsunami?

1694 S. Bay Beach Houses

While the gals were taking in San Francisco and starting to talk about their view of Golden Gate Park and the bridge not far beyond, I pondered scenes like this. We’ve flown along this coast several times, yet after so many miles of just open sea on my side the deprivation led me to notice it. Luckily, after the bridge our views were more equal as we angled inland.

1715 Vineyard Quilt

The angular shapes of this vineyard near Rohnert Park were part of a welcome relief from all that ocean. Again, I probably paid more attention to this part of the flight than on previous flights over this area. So maybe this pic is less magical for you than it still is for me. I could crop it so that only the vineyard shapes are showing, but to me the way the quilt integrates with the rest of the landscape is part of the art. That small squiggle of creek at the left edge. The straight edge of road and bare square fields. Even that clump of trees at the top where I learned online the historic Washoe House still serves meals as it did long ago.

There wasn’t time for a post last nite, and not much time tonite. But suffice it to say we’re having a blast! It’s hard to believe that we were in Valemount (Jasper area) nite before last, and Creston (3 miles north of the U.S. border) last nite. So many incredible scenes we have dancing in our heads. Many high flights along mountain passes thru the Rockies and Cascades. Lots of pix to share at some point but for now here’s one of our fav parts on today’s flight thru Stevens Pass to Renton where we greatly enjoyed a brief stop with Anne’s sister & her husband.

3031 Stevens Pass Gatepost

This is near the western entrance to the pass, and is one side of a relatively narrow notched peak far above the highway and river below. There’s a tiny lake nestled up there, and views like this on either side. After a nourishing stroll along the river near the airport and a tasty meal, we left Renton at sunset for a beautiful flight directly over SeaTac airport and then direct to Olympia. We’re in a cozy hotel downtown, and hope to have some time for a quick exploration in the morning before heading for our last night of this amazing journey.

It feels like the whole trip has been high jumps. Even the parts where we flew fairly low or even explored on the ground. Each portion of the journey has been so intensely fun and completely different, because we’ve gone “high” in between stops. Up into a totally different dream realm where time, space and place tumble like thrown dice. Except every landing brings very good luck in rewarding experiences, and the air time is enchanting.