Spring Scenes

Yesterday, as I was coming home from shopping, 

I had to pull over to take some photos of our beloved Mt. Rainier. 

Can you imagine being these happy cows and horses? 

We had a very rare day of sunshine after a very stormy week. 

Just the day before it looked like this out my windows! 

That's not snow, it's hail! 

We had heavy rain, wind and hail, alternating back and forth for days. 

And then suddenly, it all stopped. 

The skies cleared, revealing fresh white powder. 

The ski resorts are still going strong. 

We have one just 45 minutes from us, appropriately called Crystal Mountain. 

The main highway going through our little town was filled with skiers and snowboarders

 heading to their destination. 

I always avoid it if I can and take the back roads. 

Once down in the valley I spied these blooming plum trees on either side of the road. 

Sorry for the reflection,  (my unzippered purse!) I took the photo through the windshield. 

The Valley is approximately 3 weeks ahead of us with signs of Spring, than here in the foothills. 

This little speckled starling was so busy looking for bugs in the grass in the parking lot, she didn't even notice me taking this photo. The birds are starting to nest here now and maybe she already has a little family. 

Her speckles were quite fetching. 

I had a lovely day with my daughter, meeting for lunch and a bit of shopping. 

On the way home I took some photos as I ascended the plateau towards my foothills home. 

This beautiful barn caught my eye. 

Here's the little farm it belongs to. 

Here's a wider view. 

Be still my heart! 

Another farm with an amazing view. 

And another...

This is a working dairy farm, one of the few left remaining in an area that

 was once known for it's dairy farms. 

Notice the corn stubble in the foreground. 

If you can take your eyes off the view! 

I love the new green roof on the large barn. 

My children went to school with the family who owns this farm. 

One last glimpse of the beautiful farmland as I turn into the forested lower foothills. 

The sun is low in the sky, illuminating the many street signs along this stretch of road. 

I turn right before the hills ahead. 

The golden rays of the setting sun reflect on the pavement behind me. 

And as I take my final turn before heading up my winding mountain road, the sun sinks below the horizon. 

A lovely day, spent with my lovely daughter and a beautiful ride home.

Linking to: 

http://www.theviewfromrighthere.com

xoxo