Yesterday was … challenging.
Not because of people, work, or the things that often prompt that feeling, and certainly not because the day lacked any kind of beauty. Challenging in that what should be a simple day trip threw a lot of different weather at us.
A day that starts like this is a gift. Slightly chilly, but clear, low breeze, and such a great depth of color in the sky. As we started out, I caught a glimpse of something on a power line, swung the Nissan back, and the family got so see a medium-sized owl holding fast and watching the empty field below. Sorry…no pic of that one, but enjoyed seeing it!
Clear skies continued for a good part of the first hour…until we dropped out of the last pass before Ellensburg. As we cleared the crest, it was like rolling onto the coast and seeing the ocean on a still day.
The pic does not do it justice (taken late), but the entire valley was rolling fog…
Descending into it, however, the outside temp dropped to sub-freezing!
We had roughly 30 minutes of drive time in that fog. At one point, we were passed by a pickup that promptly started to fishtail on black ice. At least three full pairs of back-and-forth swings, before the driver appeared to realize that he/she had hit the gas instead of letting off! Thankfully, the truck righted it’s path of travel and continued on without incident.
After this, maybe 30 minutes of clear skies, then … light rain.
… that turned faintly white …
… then, this …
Beautiful…but as we continued on, I saw only 1 plow and roads that reflected the lack of attention.
This lasted until perhaps 10 miles down the West slope, where it turned to the expected Seattle-area rains that come with this time of year.
Great visit to the Seattle metro area, capped by a family lunch in an Ethiopian restaurant!
The drive back? Same variations, in reverse, but the roads ere a bit more melted…
At the pass, a quick stop for coffee provided this view of a nearby building.
That would be directly across the street from the café. Note the flake size!
I will have to contend with this weather on future trips to Seattle, of course, but just was not ready to deal with it, just yet!
End of day…this.
2012 Summus, by Banfi. Lovely drop. Highly recommend it.
Tight lines…