Twisp of Fate

We started the day yesterday, like many people in our country and around the world,  glued to the TV screen to watch the inauguration of Barack Obama.  What a day!  It certainly feels like this is a turning point in our nation’s history – I so hope this is born out in fact.

But, it being a Tuesday, it was also For Snowshoeing.  Our little group did not convene until 11:00 am, as we all wanted to watch the inauguration ceremonies first.  The freezing fog caused by this seemingly interminable inversion was still with us.  We headed up to the slopes above Pearrygin Lake State Park, in vain hope of getting above the fog layer.  However, this was the first time in months that all nine of us were together for the hike.

The trees and shrubs were heavily coated with ice, thanks to the freezing fog, creating many beautiful sights such as this magnificent pine tree:

Here’s an “action shot” of some of the group heading up the trail:

And here is my attempt to show Pearrygin Lake the way it appeared through my yellow “snow-glasses”:

That evening, Rick and I went up to the Twisp River Pub for the tenth-birthday celebration of the Partnership for a Sustainable Methow, also featuring the release of their new publication “The Local Source”, which is a directory of Methow Valley goods and services intended to help residents and visitors shop locally.  They also showed a short film titled The Story of Stuff, a look at the hidden and not-so-hidden costs and effects of producing all that “stuff” that people seem to think they need to have – and throw away.   It seemed to fit nicely with the themes of the inauguration day.

As we’ve been telling each other around here lately, happiness comes not from having what you want, but from wanting what you have.