A Country Drive in Winter

On a recent visit to my daughter's to help her move, 

(she and her husband just bought a new home)

I headed home just as the sun was setting. 

Come along with me as we travel towards

the beautiful Cascade Mountains, 

over quiet farmlands

to my home in the foothills. 

Even in winter, we can find beauty in the subtle

colors of earth and sky, 

and the lovely, lacy patterns of 

bare branches. 

We have had very little snow here in Western Washington

State this winter, even in the mountains, due to mild temperatures. 

This has left the ski resorts empty and 

the snow pack lacking, which fills 

our reservoirs with water when it melts

in the spring. 

A low snow pack also means high fire

danger in the mountain forests this summer. 

An old silo stands tall on the horizon. 

Beautiful white fencing corals a pretty sunset. 

The top of Mt. Rainier peeks 

over cloud shrouded foothills

as we turn a corner. 

A lovely view as we complete the turn. 

My foothill home is the last hill

on the right.

An ancient barn stands bravely by the road. 

A rare, small, F1 tornado took down a companion barn

two summers ago. 

Once part of a thriving dairy farm, now this barn gracefully

ages into the landscape. 

This handsome farmhouse was recently completely restored. 

On a clear day it has a view of Mt. Rainier

and the full Cascade range. 

Gazing out the window with a cup of morning

coffee must be very special, indeed! 

Can you see the top of Mt. Rainier peeking above the clouds?

Another little farmhouse that has recently

been restored. 

I love that they kept the majestic tree in the back. 

The top of Mt. Rainier rises over this working barn's roof. 

This is one of the last dairy farms still operating

on the plateau. 

I love this tree - a Black Cottonwood. This particular

beauty is a favorite roosting spot for Bald Eagles. 

As the light fades away, 

the drive through my old logging town leads

to my mountain road. 

One last glimpse of the setting sun before

I start to climb the mountain road. 

Thank you for coming along on my country drive, 

Dear Friends. 

Now that my daughter will be living so close, 

I will be taking this drive more often.

Today I am linking with Good Fences

xoxo