February 21, 2009
We drove along part of the North Cascades Highway, otherwise known as the American Alps. It's one of my favorite roads in Washington. It was closed by snow at Milepost 134, but there was more than enough natural beauty to keep us going for another month or two.
 

     
   
     
A Bald Eagle loaded with nest-makings flew alongside us for a short time.
 
     
   
     
Not an eagle was in sight at Rockport.
 
     
   
     
We stopped at New Halem for hike through the Grove of the Cedars.
 
     
   
     
The woods were filled with enormous old growth trees.
 
     
   
     
Tim points out the remainder of three huge trees, called the Children's Cave. In May, 1967, children playing with candles set fire to the hollow area in the middle of these trees. The trees formed a natural chimney and the fire roared upwards. They had to be cut down in order to put out the fire.
 
     
   
     
Some of the trees sported beautiful fungi.
 
     
   
     
Blacktail Deer are often seen in this area. We only saw traces of them.
 
     
   
     
The North Cascades route is the most beautiful highway by a dam site!
     
   
     
High up near Diablo Lake we drove past walls of icicles.
 
     
   
     
They were gorgeous, like alien flowers.
  
     
   
     
The lookout was closed, so we ate lunch beside the road.
 
     
   
     
This handsome Raven joined us for a bite to eat.
 
     
   
     
 

September, 2007
 We were amazed at the color change of beautiful Diablo Lake. 'The surrounding glaciers grind rocks into a fine powder that stays suspended in Diablo lake reflecting an intense turquoise color.'

Today they were definitely not turquoise! We suspected that Winter had something to do with the darker blue color.


     
   
     
A Barrow's Goldeneye watched us head homeward. It was a great trip.

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