Taking flight: a photo essay

Waaaay back in 2019 I purchased a pair of tickets to go hot air ballooning with Snohomish Balloon Rides. Ever since I was a little girl watching The Wizard of Oz on repeat from the floor of my parents' living room, I dreamt of being lifted aloft in a magical balloon experience.

I booked the last spot of that season, and was looking forward to the majestic views and heart-stopping voyage I had been imaging for decades, but that trip was thwarted by fog. "Come back next year," the owner Bob said, and I had every intention of doing so. But then, 2020.

Determined to get up this year, I emailed Bob early. "Can we still come?" I asked. He rebooked us right away, and this weekend we buzzed up to Snohomish to make the trip happen. I wore a pair of my grandma Brooks' earrings since she was a big balloon fan of any sort, to bring her along for the trip.

In the lessons learned department, during our safety talk, our pilot told us which side of the balloon would be front-facing, and I was hoping to get a spot on that side. However, we didn't hustle quite quickly enough and were placed in the back. I was a bit disappointed, but of course how can you complain when you're about to make a bucket list wish happen?

And naturally, life reminded me yet again that sometimes not getting what you want is exactly what you want, because: a) there's no bad spot on a hot air balloon b) from the back we got panoramic views of Puget Sound and the setting sun.

A few thoughts: did you know: the volume of 225,000 basketballs will fit into a hot air balloon? Piloting a balloon is significantly more difficult than I would have thought - it really is dependent on the wind and skill of the pilot. I believe we reached 2,400 feet, and then dropped into the tall grasses of the marshland (pictured below) before lifting back up and over the Snohomish River.

The challenge in taking photos from a balloon is that you're always moving. Well, that, and I was quite nervous that I would drop my phone. Well, that, and I was quite nervous to be going up at all, especially at the beginning where you go up and up, and keep on going up!

But I sallied forth, it was a perfect evening, and I hope you enjoy this collection of images from our journey.

Kayaking the Au Train River

Earlier this week my friend Barbie and I broke out of our respective houses for some non-quarantined kayaking. It was just what I needed as I hadn't been out on the water yet - at all - in 2020. She'd been down the river before, but this was my first time.

If you haven't been, it's a beautiful trip. We managed to pick a day with picture-perfect weather (70s, mostly sunny with a light breeze) and met at the take out around 10 a.m. We checked in with the Northwoods Resort and took a one-mile trip in a van with a pleasant (masked, thank you!) gent up to the put in. Though the two points are less than a mile by car, the actual trip is 7.5 miles curving in a wavy almost-loop through Hiawatha National Forest.

There were several groups on the river, but not so many that it felt uncomfortable, and for the most part, we said hello and kept moving. The river was high and ran at a good, leisurely pace, and though I definitely felt like we'd done some paddling when we were through, it wasn't too much of a challenge for someone who hadn't been out in a while. We drifted along, chatting and catching up, all while admiring the magic of Michigan.

We saw a mink, as well as turtles, a great blue heron, a couple of sandpipers (?), ducks, an enthusiastic furry friend who took a dip, and fish (Northern pike & yellow perch?). Many fish. So many fish I had to stop pointing them out or my paddling partner might have tipped me out of our kayak!

I charged my camera battery the night before, so naturally forgot it in the truck during the trip; these were taken with my phone.

There was quite a bit of rubbish in the river; beer cans in particular. Just a warm and fuzzy reminder that if you pack it in, you gotta pack it out. ♻🙒

That said, this trip was definitely a highlight of my 2020 summer! It was so renewing to enjoy nature and see a friend after much social distancing. I certainly recommend it and am grateful to have been able to have this experience.

xoxo,

Robin

Alpacas

We went on a drive this Sunday, mostly to take a few photos. The weather held for a few hours, so got some nice shots. The Man has a new camera (and a new lens, and a new tripod...) so he wanted to get outside and give them a try.

I took a few shots on the new beauty, but for the most part stuck with my own shooter.

The most fun thing we saw was this pair of alpacas! The white one kept looking at us. The brown one kept looking at...the grass. I guess it was hungry!

Don't ya just wanna cuddle up to this guy?? He reminds me of Shmoo!

We also stopped on the freeway (terrifying) to capture this hawk.

It eventually got tired of us and flew away.

See that brown blob lower right? That's the hawk. Flying.

We even saw a few wild turkeys!

They were shy.

Of course I had to capture any flash of PINK that I could...

I hope your spring is turning out as nicely as ours is!

xoxo,
Robin

Kayaking on Lake Ballinger

We went for an excursion on Lake Ballinger in Mountlake Terrace. Our mode of transport? Inflatable kayaks. So convenient! (And surprisingly easy to handle.)

The day had been sunny and temperate, so just before dusk we grabbed a pizza and headed to the lake.

Twin trees.

That white line in the water is the reflection of the jet-stream above.

The air smelled so nice, most likely because of all the blossoming trees on the shore. This is a little island in the middle of the lake. You're not supposed to go on it, so we didn't. (But I kinda wanted to...)

I think I irritated this fisherman. (Not on purpose!) I was trying to get a pic, and I kept drifting toward him (and his lines!). I like how you can see his cigar smoke.


Not the best shot of an eagle in the world, but not too bad considering the height of this tree, and the fact that it was taken as my little kayak drifted along...

The tree, for scale. Eagle at top left.

Three little blackbirds.

Feather.

Until next time...

xoxo,
Robin

Happy Valentine's Day!

From my trip to NYC this past year!

xoxo,

Robin

Desert Snow: Crab Creek Coulee, Washington

We took a trip to the desert in Eastern Washington and hiked out to the bluffs. 'Twas a cold, blustery day (so cold that the battery on my camera died half-way out!) but the fresh air sure felt marvelous.

The terrain was rough since we cut our own paths--though on the way back we followed an animal trail. Since there's not a lot of traffic in the winter, there was a great quantity of unspoiled beauty to observe...

Most of it looks like this. Desolate, scrubby, brown and white.

But a good companion makes all the difference! Meet Mally.

She scoped the situation out for us.

And of course there are little details you can notice if you're trying. A flower shape.

Delicate plants.

A pattern in the bushes.

Even a smiley face!

The Channeled Scablands were carved from a great flood 12 to 15 THOUSAND years ago. They are even more dramatic in person.

Sometimes the grand scope of a place puts all things in perspective, yes?

xoxo,

Robin