2015 Campsite 46: Time off on Wednesday and Thursday

This week, while Sonny played golf, I went to the museum in Wenatchee to see the photo exhibit of John Marshall. When the mountains around Leavenworth burned in 1994, he photographed the aftermath. In 2014 and 2015, he returned to the exact locations and took pictures to show the changes over a 20 year period. Amazing photography. Forest management is a big deal in this area for preventing destruction to homes and property. While the Wolverine fire still continues north of us, a 300' wide by 26 mile fire break is being constructed near here. We've seen large bulldozers, excavators, workers and log trucks on the roads. The community of Plain is beginning to feel safer from the fire traveling too close to town. The forest fires won't be truly out till snow comes.

Other exhibits were the Great Northern Railway, Clyde Pangborn, aviator, Native people of the Columbia Plateau, apples, (of course), fur trading and photos of all the Apple Queens with their courts. The museum is housed in the old Post Office and Court House which are now on the National Historic Register.

Labor Day Weekend was cool and rainy so several campers canceled their reservations. The fire ban is still in place here but the ban on propane fire rings was lifted late Sunday afternoon. While making rounds one afternoon, we found a large family using one of the campsites as a day use picnic area AND they had a wood fire burning in a grill of some kind on the table! YIKES. We reported to the Ranger as instructed and waited for him to arrive. In the meantime, the picnickers cleaned up and moved to the beach. We didn't see what they did with the hot grill so we went back several times to the campsite to look in the bushes for hot ashes as we didn't think they would put a hot grill into their Audis or BMWs. No ashes were found so the mystery wasn't solved but the dry undergrowth hadn't caught on fire so we assumed we were safe. When the Ranger did go to investigate, he found another group using a wood fire. We continue to be amazed that folks will come into the park, start a fire and then say they didn't know there was a ban when there are signs on the main highways and on every bulletin board in the park plus the recent media coverage.

Thursday, it was senior day at the Chelan County Fair so we spent several hours there checking out the 4-H exhibits and the music.

The campground activity has slowed considerably. Only 8-10 during the week and less than half full this weekend. The foliage is spectacular with the vine maples turning red and orange against the evergreens.The Ranger asked me to do an inventory of the tables in North and South parks. He wanted to know which were wood only, which had chains attached and which ones to replace. North Park took 3 hours since the litter hadn't been picked up after Labor Day Weekend campers. I probably got much closer to doing 10K steps that day.

Only 10 days left till we move back home. Today was probably the last day of wearing shorts. Much cooler weather is promised and even some much needed rain.

Is it an owl or what?

These campers created a putting brown (green) complete with flag and cup.

I spent 3 hours looking at exhibits.

This antique Wurlitzer organ in the museum is in working order and I heard it played.
It was cool to see the pipes and percussion sound effects through the windows.

The fire truck apparently was testing the fire hydrant in the parking lot.

Malaga, WA Sonny likes playing golf here.

After golf, we drove up to Mission Ridge Ski Area at 4500'. Windy roads......

and sharp corners.

This was all we could see of the ski area. We were told there are 5
lifts.

Views of pinnacle rocks in the distance.

This hillside looked to me like it could come down anytime. I was glad to
get by it.

Returning to Wenatchee.

Columbia River looking South on a clear day without smole.

We watched 6 hot rods come into Leavenworth. They were from the
West Side and had driven over for lunch.

Driftwood construction on the beach.

The beach hut "Welcome" Sign.

Another gorgeous day at the lake with temps near 90* Very few people
at the beach taking advantage of the last summer days without wind.

Saturday night performers at the amphitheater.

Sonny let me out of chores yesterday since the lake was flat calm. He drove me
and my kayak up to Glacier View Campground at the head of the lake so I could
paddle back. Great view of the glacier from there. I enjoyed leisurely
paddling along the shore and made it back in 2 hours before the wind
picked up the waves.

After the "Eclectiks" performance last evening, we walked down to the
beach. The sun had set so these young girls were having fun doing
a photo shoot.