A couple of weeks ago

Pepper and I drove across the mountains to Yakima.  I have an Aunt over there.  One of the two or three remaining of my parents generation.  She was the wife of mom's brother.  She will be 93 in a couple of weeks.  You know, really, I do want to live that long.  She has had a very good life and enjoys good health.  She still lives alone in the home she and my Uncle shared.  She does need a walker now and she does tend to repeat her stories more often as well as forget names.  But all in all, she is doing pretty good. I was not in a real hurry so instead of taking I-5 south and then 90 east, I meandered over the back roads.  This route takes me right past Snoqualamie Falls. It was time for a stretch break so I stopped and took a couple of pictures.  They were still quite full with snow  melt and runoff.

I spent two days with my Aunt and started home on Wednesday morning.  Quite by accident, I wound up going the wrong direction out of Yakima.  I decided that instead of turning around, I would continue on and go to Toppenish and Zillah which are a bit further down the valley.  I drove around Toppenish until I was able to find my Grandmothers house.  It has been all dolled up, but still has the same bones.  I wanted to take a picture of it, but got a bad case of the shy's. Silly me.  My childhood home was in Zillah, so I drove up to my home there.  Again a case of the shy.  I guess I will have to make another trip.  I think I may meet my cousin there in August so maybe we can go down together.

As I headed back up the freeway and got to Ellensburg, there was a sign along the highway that said that the drive from Ellensburg to the top of the pass was over an hour and half, so I took another detour. Had no reason to hurry at all.  I cut across Blewett pass and connected with Stevens pass to head west on.  Just as soon as I connected with Blewett, I came across this abandoned ranch. I had to stop and take a couple of pictures. I love the close up of the barn. I really am thinking of framing these two.  I had them printed in 11x16 prints and they really are great.

  

As usual, Pepper loves to go for rides, but she is even happier when we get home.