Methow Getaway

Patty comes from a family of connectors. Patty's mom could go to any city on the planet and strike up a conversation with someone she just met, and within a few minutes, they'd know someone in common. It was truly amazing. But every kid in the family shares the gift, which maybe is even more amazing.

So brother Doug connected with some really cool people in Winthrop over the last coupla years and we stayed at their place this past weekend and played in the Methow Valley. They happened to be out of town and turned their home over to us, even though we were pretty much strangers. The natural environment was spectacular, but it pales in comparison to the spirit of generosity and trust that we experienced.

The whole deal is just mind-expanding and makes me want to figure out a way to share and exchange what we have to offer. To do something different than the norm of carving out some safe little all-inclusive environment, that's just an illusion anyway.

No, I'm not going off the deep end. I see from your reaction that it's time to shut my trap, but I'll still be thinking about it.

Anyway, on a lighter note. After years of alpine skiing, this nordic stuff was a tough sell. But I think it's starting to take root.

From lower right, diagonally to upper left, then from super upper left diagonally down to mid right: Doug, Sue, Joan, Scott, Patty, Pat

Scott and Joan, posing in front of the super-cool suspension bridge that you ski across.

View from the suspension bridge.

Now them'r what I call tracks.

Patty's getting good.  Coupla times I was behind her and saw steam rolling off her skis.

Horses dig nordic.

The rolling huts. They're for rent. (They don't really roll.) They're super cool. (There are way better places to actually stay.)

Heated restrooms. Yum.

The scenery's a bit hard to deal with, but we did our best.

We give the weekend a double thumbs up.