Snow and Sickness

On Thursday, the 23rd,  we headed over the pass to Yakima.  The weather was perfect and I spent most of the trip having great conversations with my brother, Karl, who rode with us.  I was having such a great time, I didn’t take any pictures going over.  However, when we got to our destination, I did what I neglected to do at Thanksgiving, and took some outdoor shots at home in Yakima.

The Setting:

By the time I had lost nearly all my light and headed back inside, the boys had gathered for a beer tasting. After slapping John on the wrist for neglecting to wait for me, I had a quick sip of that amber liquid and took a few more photos.

Karl, tasting the beer

John, one of several tastings

Dad and Karl, Cheers!

Dad, Mandi & Doug, not the clearest shot, but Dad's cheeks are full of beer!

All this happened while Mom was upstairs with Sparky and Sophia, playing Legos.

Mom, Sparky, Sophia

It felt good to be in the fresh snow and cold air and to gather with family.  I miss snow, and crisp winter air.  Winter in Seattle is usually a much more soggy experience.  I like my Christmas to be white, and cold.

After our first day in Yakima, we settled in for sleep, warm and happy.

Then it happened.  I woke up at 1 a.m. feeling strange, then feeling bad, then feeling really awful.  I will spare you the details and tell you simply that I had the stomach flu and, after waking up at 1 in the morning, I did not sleep again until the following day.  I’m sure many of you will agree with me when I say that I would rather have a bad cold for months on end than  have the stomach flu.  I hate it.  Thankfully, this was a quick flu and the worst of it was over in a night.  The flu completely shot all my picture taking plans to hell though.  I just didn’t have the energy on Christmas day.

I ended up staying a week in Yakima, being waited on and gaining my appetite and my strength back.  It was glorious!  And I promise, I only milked it a little, itsy-bitsy bit.  It was the first time in a long time, that I’ve had my mother there to take care of me.  She is the perfect nurse and I thank her for her fearless care of me!

On the way back over the pass it was about as sunny as I have ever seen it in winter.  There was also freshly fallen snow all around.  You can imagine why I couldn’t keep my camera zipped up in it’s case.  I have taken hundreds of photos on the pass, one might think I’d be tired of it by now, but I’m not, and I hope you aren’t either.

Ellensburg sans fog

heading into the mountains

Twin Peaks fans anyone?

Mom and Dad took me as far as North Bend, which is pretty far.  They spent a goodly portion of their day driving, and I am very grateful to them for their willingness to do that. My Dad is a champion driver and made mom and I feel safe on that unpredictable pass.

John drove up from Seattle and met us, Cordelia and I were both happy, no, ecstatic to see him. We were ready to get home and settle in to the new year.  And this time, I got some shots of my homecoming to Seattle, this beautiful city I get to live in.

floating bridge

And now, we have the new year to look forward to, resolutions to make (mine mostly involve money…) and planning to do.  The sun has been shining and it has been properly cold.  There is even a chance of snow this week!  The year is starting out brilliantly.

Happy Holidays everyone and Happy New Year!