Bird Creek Meadows, Mt. Adams on the Yakama Reservation

Click to enlarge photos.

Bird Creek Meadows on Mt. Adams is not a one-trick pony.  Stunning wildflowers are the main attraction.  At times, they are so gorgeous that it’s easy to forget the other magnificent attractions:  creeks everywhere, waterfalls and hundred-mile vistas to Mt. Hood and beyond. Today, what I noticed were the sounds. 

When the sound of one creek faded, the sound of a waterfall kicked in.  When the sound of the waterfall grew faint, the next gurgling caught my ear.  In those few places in between water sounds, wind rustled the trees or jays squawked and junco trilled.  Duh!  Maybe that’s why they called it Bird * Creek * Meadows. 

Hell Roaring Overlook

“They” is an interesting question.  The Feds allowed the tribes to keep this area under the 1855 treaty as part of the reservation.  In 1908, Teddy Roosevelt mistakenly included it into the Mt. Rainer Forest Reserve.  Later, it became part of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  In 1972, President Nixon corrected Roosevelt’s mistake and ceded control back to the Yakama Nation.  I’m guessing that the US Forest service named it Bird Creek Meadows. 

Today, we took the trail up and up one mile to the Hell Roaring overlook, then down to the meadows area where flowers are often crazy.  Peak bloom was about two weeks ago, but flowers still delighted in parts. 

Trail 9 took us to the big waterfall (not to be confused to numerous smaller waterfalls).  Down to Bird Lake, and over to Bluff Lake, were we found some huckleberries to snack on.

I posted more photos here.    

Bluff Lake

Huckleberries !

Trout Lake Art Festival and Tour

Trout Lake Festival of the Arts

The Trout Lake Festival of the Arts has been raising money to promote the arts in the area for a couple of decades.  It was our first stop on Ann's private tour of the valley.

Next, we took her to the Zen Buddhist Abbey / Druid Sanctuary.   You see, the zen leader and druid leader chipped in to buy the  B & B that is now their joint home.

Click to Enlarge

Last, and probably least, we stopped at the Alpaca ranch and store.

Ann's visit was way too short.  But, 23 hours is better than no visit at all.

Kelly Thibodeaux at the Trout Lake Country Inn: Concert Review

Performer: Kelly Thibodeaux and the Etouffee Band

Genre: “Swamp Rock”

Date: May 28, 2011

Venue: The Trout Lake Country Inn

In 6 words or fewer: Cajun Fiddlin’ in Northwest Forest

Video link: Etouffee at Trout Lake Country Inn.

Performance Review: Kelly Thibideaux only had one partner with him last night, but the two of them had enough energy to fill the room and get people moving.

Some sounds transport a person: Steel drums fly you a caribbean island; steel guitar buses you to Nashville, and cajun fiddle floats you to Nawlins (New Orleans). "Swamp Rock" as Etouffee bills itself, aptly describes their sound, but they also throw in some blues. No need for percussion instruments the way these guys attack their fiddle, harmonica, acoustic guitar and electric guitar. Throbbing music raised the pulse rate of the audience, even without dancing, which many enjoyed.

Venue Review: The town of Trout Lake, Washington is about 25 miles north of Hood River, Oregon, adjacent to a national forest and in the shadow of snow-covered Mt. Adams. The Country Inn is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. You walk into the old bar, where they serve up beer & wine. The main room is about the size of an elementary school gym, with a stage on the far end. The floors, walls and ceiling are all wood. The few tables and chairs get taken by those who arrive early to eat dinner. With all the saws, posters and other memorabilia on the walls, the place looks like it's been in use for 100+ years, which it has.

I happen to have a place within walking distance, so I love the venue. It’s a great place to relax around good people.

(This venue is not good if you are in a wheelchair.)