Harts Pass No. 166

Nothing say funny like scientific taxonomy humor! And there IS a plan afoot to reintroduce 80 Canadian fishers to the Cascades -- Mt. Rainier and North Cascades National Parks -- just in case your concerned about the factual origins of said "humor" :)

Harts Pass No. 165

After a week off from the strip I am back in action and ready to rumble! Unfortunately, this also means that summer break is near its end...

Mahalo!

Harts Pass No. 164

I've been sitting on this idea for a while now... but its so true. Sometimes hiking is hard :)

[ But don't tell that to your kids! ]

The 2013 Mazama Festival of Books!

No stage-time participation for me at the Festival this year, but I did get to design the poster :) It's a fantastic roster all around, and there are even MORE authors for your 2013 listening pleasure. On the "younger" book side, YA author Dia Calhoun and picture book illustrator/paper artist Nikki McClure take the stage on Sunday morning. For a complete schedule and for ALL of the relevant details, check out the 2013 Mazama Festival of Books at the new Methow Arts website.

Harts Pass No. 163

It's still a little unclear to me, but in response to Governor Inslee's recent ATV safety legislation -- which requires registration, helmets, and a 16 year old age-limit for drivers -- I believe that the Okanogan County Commissioners tried to grandfather in a whole mess of county roads that would therefore circumvent the 35 mph speed limit clause. While new legislation would otherwise have these roads off-limits to ATV use the 11th hour petition by the commission somehow makes them legal...

While I'm NOT really sure that this will alter the character of Methow Valley roads and towns, it DOES smack of really poor politicking by the County Commissioners. Both Winthrop and Twisp recently denied petitions from a county ATV club to allow ATVs on city streets -- and yet mere days and weeks later the Commissioners have crafted and implemented a end-around to both city council decisions. For a relatively conservative group that would seem to support "get the government out of my life" ideals -- they have all but ignored the idea of local control -- and ought to have stayed out of it.

At least the 18th annual Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival will be music to our ears!