Made it to Winthrop to ski with my friend Lynn. There is a lot of snow here! I left the trailer parked, and drove Hwy 20 over several passes to reach this ski haven.

We did a quick run up “Owl”, a small peak not too far from town, on backcountry skis. The snow was wet, heavy and deep. Luckily turns were not too difficult. We only did one run due to the conditions. A good warm up for the rest of the week.

Upon return to Lynn’s house, while she was off doing some contractor stuff, I jumped into the hot tub with my book. She lives along the Methow river. While I was in the tub, I saw a hawk fly through the trees and an eagle was calling out warnings. A rather glorious top off to the day.

The plan for the rest of the week is to remain on skis as much as possible. Skate, classic, backcountry and downhill. I sure get why people live here.

Day two started with a full blue sky and not a cloud! Oh how the warmth of that sunshine fills my soul! I was heading East and then North with a windshield full of that dazzling, round, yellow orb!

I first checked out the natural history site in the park, which talks about the ice age dam that burst eons ago in Montana, carving the special natural features of the potholes area. It’s a phenominal landscape, well preserved by the Columbia Wildlife Refuge.

I found a place along the dam to pull over, and trails going into the refuge. I put on my running shoes and headed out to Soda Lake. There were a few fishers or hunters driving through, but mainly it was just me and a few birds. So beautiful. So refreshing. I feel like I can breathe.

Tomorrow, I am off to Winthrop to ski with my friend Lynn. I am not taking the trailer, will stay with her at her new home. My plan is to ski hard, and spend lots of time in her glorious hot tub on the river.

I left Seattle. It was pouring rain. A typical January day for the PNW. My car and trailer are loaded. I have everything I can think of that I might need through May. That’s too much stuff, I know, but my goal is to not have to return before then.

As I drove over the pass, my car worked way too hard to pull my trailer. Oops (as Nancy said), I think I either need a beefier car or a lighter trailer. Well, I can either beat myself up for making an uninformed decision or I can just decide to sell the trailer, learn a lesson and move forward. I choose the latter. My motto is nothing permanent.

Being this free of responsibilities makes me giddy. Not having to “be” anywhere is kind of amazing. Too soon to tell for sure, but wow. A new way of being – for me.

I am camped in a campground in Eastern Wa. near I-90 called Potholes. There is a big lake here and people were out in boats fishing yesterday. It was not raining (hooray), but was very windy and cold. It felt so good to see light and to be able to look out for miles. This morning, I hear coyotes howling.

As I was walking around the abandonded campground, I heard birds calling. I looked up and this flock of geese flew over.

Ahhh. Outside, no one around, peaceful enough that the call of birds is loud. I feel grateful to be here, on the road.