A Country Drive with Good Fences and More

It has been hot and dry here this summer

near the foothills of the Cascades

in Washington State.

Come along with me and we will 

take a late summer drive

through golden fields. 

Beautiful Goldenrod blooms despite the drought.

A whole field full. 

Sunflowers growing along the edge of this rural airstrip. 

There are houses along both sides, 

all with their own private planes! 

The road bisects the airstrip, with houses

and planes on both sides.
They all have very large garages :)

We frequently have small planes flying over 

our foothills home from this airstrip.

Most of the time, they are sight-seeing.
Sometimes they will do aerial acrobatics!

Just last evening this ultra-light came into view
after listening to it approach for quite
some time.

It was towing this hang-glider. 

To my surprise, the line was released
right above me! The plane cut the engine
 and drifted away while I held my breath.

The engine finally started again
 and they both flew out of sight in different directions.

This is where they were.
Not many things happen out here.
The only 'traffic' consists of aircraft
or the occasional flock of birds!

A beautiful evening for touring the skies.

Here is another shot of the airstrip
 taken earlier this year, 

looking straight down the runway. 

You can see some of the houses alongside. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful to step
out your back door and hop into your plane?

This is their view.
The perfect place to have a small plane.

I had to drive down the private lane to get this shot.
And yes, I was noticed.
And inquired upon :)

The Gentleman graciously let me take this shot
and offered to help me exit.

A neighborhood watch in action.

A closer view of the sunflowers
as I leave. 

Whoever plants these every year

makes everyone smile :)

Further along we see this Rowan Tree full of berries. 

The large purple Beech is impressive, too.

Every year I make a point to drive by this Dahlia farm.

Beautiful rows of happiness!

My Mother loved Dahlias and grew them
every year.

I'm sure these get sold in one of our
 many wonderful farmer's markets.

A simple little cottage that could use some flowers!
It has basic charm, though.

That's better! This is how I would fancy it up!

Cows ahead!

In my rear view mirror :)

A beautiful fence-line corals tall trees.
You can see how dry the fields are.

Forest fires are raging east of the Cascade range
 in North Central Washington State
and frequently fill the air with smoke here,
West of the Cascades.

This amazing photo of Mt. Rainier surrounded
by smoke and red-tinged clouds
from the fires, was taken two days ago by my son,
Dustin, on his way to Phoenix on a business trip.

This year the Okanogan Complex fire is the largest
fire ever recorded in Washington State.
 It has burned 438 sq. miles so far and is
only one of several large fires burning in the state.

It is only 17% contained.

We have lost 3 young firefighters and
President Obama has declared a federal emergency.

The good news is that we are expecting rain,
finally,
over the weekend.

Ripening corn.

A beautiful garden.

More pretty flowers.

Love these fence posts.

We arrive at the gate.

Tansy.

My new neighbor's beautiful horse.
I think it might be a Belgian cross.

The welcoming committee.

Where we park....

Home Sweet Home

xo

Thank you for coming along, Dear Friends!

Today I am linking with:

 Run-a-Round Ranch Report - Good Fences



Won't you join the fun?