Harts Pass No. 389

Spring is nice, but I feel like it IS a bit of a mixed bag. For those of us that love skiing, it's warm and sunny and thrilling in its own way when we can ski just a wee bit longer into the "shoulder season." At the same time however, it is spring after all, and the skiing can just as easily suck eggs. On the other side of the equation - for those winter haters that are desperate for sun and warm - spring is enticingly fickle. It feels warm and alluring... but it can just as equally suck eggs. And thusly, the "discontent." 

From the idea development department, "Now is the winter of our discontent" is the opening line from Shakespeare's Richard III (1592), and it actually translates with a little more context into something like: the time of unhappiness in past.  So I guess, but saying that spring is a season of discontent and dashed expectations, I'm probably using it incorrectly. Alas, so it goes. Interpret as you see fit!

Harts Pass No. 388

The first week of spring -- and the snow is slowly but surely starting to peel back from warmer patches of dirt and the occasional rock or bitter brush poking through. Still below freezing over night, so we'll hold on to a solid morning crust and a remaining 4-6 inches for at least another week or two!

Harts Pass No. 387

A beautiful sunrise here in the north cascades on Tuesday morning. It's still looking a LOT like winter, but time outside is getting warmer and a "shimmer" is starting to shine in that late afternoon sun. Onward and upward!

Harts Pass No. 386

As the comic says, a heartfelt 'thank you' to Congressman Newhouse for his endorsement of the Methow Headwater's Campaign and its tireless work to protect both the local and statewide watersheds. Official approval is now in the hands of the Department of the Interior and the Deparment of Agriculture, but the supportive letter from Newhouse and the ongoing work of many people has this effort headed in a good direction #toospecialtomine #protectthemethow #nomazamamine

Harts Pass No. 385

Click the comic to read the fine print, but amazingly enough the first experiments with photovoltaic energy conversion were taking place in 1839!!! Solar electricity and the wild west. Totally simpatico.