A Story of Bravery, Determination and Love during the Taylor Bridge Wildfire near Cle Elum, Washington

 Cle Elum  2 Responses »
Aug 192012
 

It’s really sad when such an unfortunate event happens as the Taylor Bridge wildfire has here close to Cle Elum in Washington state.  Many homes have been burned down to the ground as well as countless evacuations.  To see such bravery and determination from the firemen touched our hearts over the weekend.  It was so hot outside, close to 100 degrees and they were working tirelessly to contain this wildfire.   I couldn’t even imagine how they must have felt . . .

The helicopters you see above was a continual event.  One after another like clockwork they would come to this pond, fill up their buckets with water and continue to the forest . . .


~ Fire area boundary posted in downtown Roslyn on the community bulletin board for August 18th


~ The wildfire seemed to be directly behind this beautiful home :(


~ Head to toe clothing and protection in close to 100 degree heat


~ A burnt landscape


At the school in the little sweet town of Cle Elum is where the firefighters have their base camp.  Here love is truly shown by the residents of Cle Elum and neighboring towns of Roslyn and beyond by donating food, water and sweets for the firefighters to eat.  McDonald’s also feeds them all, for free.


~ A fire line carefully carved around the structure of a barn


~ Where our hero’s sleep

~ We couldn’t have said it better ourselves :)

Up to date information about the Taylor Bridge wildfire can be found here

Monetary Donations can be sent to the local American Red Cross:

American Red Cross
312 North Pearl St.
Ellensburg, WA 98926
Contact: 509-925-5866

Dinner at Swiftwater Cellars within the Beautiful Suncadia Resort Community

 Central Washington, Cle Elum, Cle Elum Dining, Great Restaurants, Suncadia Resort, Swiftwater Cellars, Washington Destinations  2 Responses »
Jul 042011
 

The beauty of Airstreaming is that you can practically go anywhere your heart desires and still have your creature comforts of home wherever your destination may be. There are so many places in our beautiful America to explore and discover.  One way we like to Airstream is to find a nice campground and walk or ride our bicycles to our destination(s). We get our exercise and we have more time together which is always so nice.

One of our favorite destinations to visit is called Suncadia. Suncadia is located 90 minutes east of downtown Seattle so it is a great weekend getaway for fellow Seattleites. Suncadia does not have RV accommodations; however, there are quite a few spots around where you can easily camp and walk (or bike) your way into this beautiful golfing, fishing, hiking, biking, swimming, etc. community.

I have never had the opportunity to dine at the Swiftwater Cellars which is located within Suncadia.  Hubby sensed that I was in one of my “don’t feel like cooking moods,” and asked if I’d like to have dinner here.  “But of course!”   We had an incredibly delicious butter leaf wedge salad with blue cheese dressing, a savory gorgonzola tart alongside grilled ciabatta bread which was drizzled with an amazing sweet, thick balsamic vinegar and two crispy and rich dungeness crab cakes.  For dessert, B had a simple but so delicious vanilla ice cream with berries.

Our day was spent swimming, bicycling and dining at gorgeous Swiftwater Cellars with a pleasant and peaceful walk back home in the warm summer air to our camp where our Airstream awaited our return.

What a beautiful day.

Swiftwater Cellars at Beautiful Suncadia Resort

SunCountry Golf & RV Resort

 Central Washington, Cle Elum, Cle Elum Accommodations, Golfing, Sun Country Golf & RV Resort, Washington Destinations  No Responses »
Jun 132011
 

SunCountry Golf is a wonderfully maintained 18-hole golf course set amongst the Cascade Mountains and provides the perfect relaxing weekend get-away as it is located near the heart of the Cascade Mountains 90 minutes East of Downtown Seattle.

SunCountry offers up amazing views and a fantastic, meticulously maintained golf course.  The RV spots are generous for your rig and tow vehicle and accomodating with full hookups as well as clean and spacious washrooms nearby.

Owner’s Jim and Cherie were so sweet and gave us a grand tour of their golf course.  They explained to us how they implemented the course and how the 18 holes came to be approximately three years ago.  They have truly created an absolute haven.  They also installed a wind turbine which at first, I thought was a piece of art (it is so beautiful).  Jim explained how that turbine powers all of the pumps on the course.  It is so refreshing to meet people who are very conscientious of our environment and who take steps to help our environment.

Here is a little tidbit from SunCountry Golf’s blog:

” Hello Sun Country Golf Fans! We are now onto the 2011 golf season and this marks the 3rd year of the new 18 holes. The grass grow in is now complete and the greens are fantastic and the fairways will be the best ever. The snow has finally disappeared and we are now officially open as of April 18th. Don’t miss the start of the season and be sure to take advantage of our new Early Bird Specials.”

If you are a golfer, this is a definite destination for you!  Only 90 minutes from downtown Seattle, SunCountry Golf  makes for a wonderful weekend getaway.

We absolutely enjoyed our time here.  After some golf, I prepared for the boys a very simple salad of red asparagus, lox and brie cheese.  Recipe follows shortly . . .

Sun Country Golf & RV Resort

"TroutWater" and an off road Airstreaming Fly Fishing Adventure

 Cle Elum, Fly Fishing  1 Response »
Jun 112011
 

The sun was shining, the wild flowers were in bloom and we were on our way with Airstream in tow to a beautiful, remote area along the Cle Elum river for some fly fishing.  The great people of  Troutwater were our guides and  we felt so lucky to be able to have joined them.  Jim, Tom, Jason and Amber — what a GREAT group of people!  Not only because they are such a pleasure to be with, but because of their extreme knowledge about about fly fishing.

We had such an amazing time and memories to last a lifetime.  If you are ever in the area, give Troutwater a call.  Oh, did I mention they prepare a riverside picnic?  Complete with grilled salmon, wine and chocolate dipped strawberries?  Bon Appetit and happy fishing!  Troutwater can be reached here and ask for Jim!

Off Road with our Airstream

 Cle Elum  No Responses »
Sep 212010
 

Well we did it.  Towed our Airstream into a meadow for some great photo opportunities.  For the entire week before our endeavor, I was very worried about the drive in –  but in the end, the Airstream bravely (and slowly) towed over gravely, potholed, bumpy, uneven road and ended up here:

location:  Domerie Meadow (Cle Elum, WA)