descriptions

So about a week has passed in our new home and I'm getting more settled and used to living here. 

We live at the Steliko work station in the Entiat valley about forty five minutes from Wenatchee, WA. Outside of the valley is dry, dry, dry, and looks a lot like parts of west Texas. Inside the valley is progressively greener the farther west we drive. The road through the valley jumps over the Entiat river multiple times - a river which right now is gushing with the remains of the melting snow caps. There are tons of pear, apple, and cherry trees - so excited for those to get ripe. The hills around used to be forests, but now they're covered in patchy meadows, charred stumps, and patches of forest. It took a little getting used to, but seeing the forest regenerate itself is an interesting process. I'm learning to love it. 

At our station, we have our house plus a few other houses that hold mostly guys. Manly, rock climbing, motor bike riding, bearded guys, who play a lot of beer pong. (They have more going for them than that, but that is the easiest way to describe them). And a little red cow dog named Boo who could probably spend every waking hour fetching a stick. We love Boo. 

We spend most of our time, when we're not felling trees or clearing brush from trails, reading on the porch, talking, cooking, playing games, and hiking.  Yesterday we took a day trip to Leavenworth, a little town about an hour and a half from here, where, in the sixties the community decided life was boring, so they turned their town into a Bavarian tourist destination. Best beer ever.

This morning the other two girls and I took a hike up to the lookout, about two miles up a really steep hill. We're preparing for our 8-day backcountry spike that starts tomorrow. We took my field guide and tried to identify all the plants we found on the way, which gave us excuses to stop and catch our breath. 

So living here is peaceful, but at least the girls and I are a little sad that the countryside is so dry. I'm treating it as a learning experience. First, now I know that this isn't the part of Washington I like the best. Second, I'm hoping that I learn to love it. Because even being in Trout Lake for two weeks, I was starting to get jaded to the beauty of it. Now I'll appreciate it when I go back. 

I also wish the community was a little bigger. I love these people, but anytime you're stuck with the same group for too long, it's a challenge.  Eh, I'll be fine. 

Miss everyone! I'll be back in communication next Tuesday (the 23rd).