Visiting Our Old Hometown (Concrete, WA)

We are in Concrete, WA after spending almost three weeks in Crescent Bar on the Columbia River  Not too far from where Dan and I spent most of our teen life in Wenatchee. So it was interesting to go back to see the changes.  There's plenty of new growth with businesses and new home sites.  Even my parents old house was gone having been swallowed up by the old elementary school's growth expanse.  A lot of the old orchards are gone in the city limits, but we were seeing new orchards and vineyards sprouting up all over the valley.

A view of Columbia River during one of my walks

While sitting in the campground surrounded by the canyon wall, I could not get over how still everything felt.  It was so quiet compared to our winter in Key West.  I guess I got use to the constant motion and noise such as ocean waves, jet skis, birds or all the above and more.  People were moving around, but I think the canyon walls soaked up most of the noise.  Not to mention the ever present view of the sky-high walls giving me the feeling of being solid and unyielding.

We drove up to Lake Chelan to see where Dan grew up in Manson before moving to Wenatchee.  It is a beautiful place to grow up as a child.

Lake Chelan:  ducks resting in the shade of birch trees

There are more homes on the hillsides, but the downtown area maintains the small town atmosphere.  Below is a photo of the old library now owned by the local dentist. 

The sign out front invites people to walk around the old library and enjoy the garden.  We were careful around the backside of the old building when we noticed bees moving in and out of a hole in the wall.  From keeping books to keeping honey, it looks like the library has become a new home for the work-a-bees.

Large poppies in the Library's garden

On The Cutting Board

I finished several projects during the last few weeks.  All of the finished Happy Campers are now listed in my shop.  I have already sold a couple of them!  Summer is getting an early start this year.

I finished two of my new bear designs.  On this one, I added a dreamcatcher.  Making the dreamcatcher was a lot of fun, so I am hoping to make more.

I have other bear designs in the works.  At least, I managed to finish these two.  I call this one "A Bear in the Woods".  It is nice to be among the pine trees again

Only one Happy Camper with a puppy, but there will be more to come.  You can count on that!

And of course, I made a few aqua and red combos.  They are the favorites with a lot of my customers.  I love this aqua polka dot fabric.  I love it so much that I bought two yards of it.  Now, I wish I had bought more so I can make a quilt from it as well.

I finished two wall hangings.  One of the witch ringing the bell and this one below.  Perfect for a warm welcome this summer.  I haven't listed them yet.  I'm trying to setup Etsy's new shipping system.  Once I figure out how to ship them, I will get them both listed.

A Spring's Welcome

But, that will have to wait.  I want to finish my latest custom order for a wonderful camp host.  So, I better get to it.  I promise to post a photo of her cute motorhome when I am done.
Happy Quilting!

On the Columbia River (Crescent Bar, WA)

We spent the last four days in Crescent Bar in central Washington.  Below is a view from our campground of the wide, the deep blue....Columbia River.  

We did a lot of driving around with a little reminiscing.  They say you can never go home, but I enjoy seeing how the old town has changed.  Dan grew up in Manson and Wenatchee.  I spent 8 years of my teen life in Wenatchee.  We had a class together in high school, but did not really talk to one another until after Dan graduated.  We dated all through my senior year.  Dan joined the Air Force.  I graduated and we were married within the month.  June 30 will by our 38th anniversary.  How time flies!

We visited the Rocky Reach Dam.  Their grounds are always immaculate and it looks like they have added more art to the grounds.

The horse power mural is still there and just as impressive as the first time I saw it.

One more photo of the grounds.....

We went to Lake Chelan to see how Manson has changed.  The whole area has grown, but there are still fruit orchards along with new wine grape fields scattered throughout the area.  Below is a photo of Lake Chelan. Doesn't the water look inviting?

Flowers blooming everywhere and I did take more photos of them, but for today I will post my favorite one of a huge white poppy.

In Wenatchee, we walked part of the Riverfront Loop.  The loop is a little over 10 miles and crosses the Columbia twice.  Lots of walkers, joggers, and bike riders...busy...busy!

View from the East Wenatchee side

We crossed one of the two pedestrian bridges

A view from the pedestrian bridge.

On our way back, we watched these two dogs retrieve the ball from the water.  Well, one did while the other one watched.

 A long travel day tomorrow - Wednesday.  We are heading south to Oregon.   This means I am getting closer to my visit in Sisters, OR and their quilt show!  WhooHoo!
Happy Trails!