Sunday, September 19, 2010

Cascade Loop

These some shots from our recent trip to Washington state. Hubby and I drove around the Cascade loop stopping in various places. After flying into Seattle we hopped right into our rental car and drove to our first nights stay near Marblemount. This part of the drive is next to the Skagit River and is very scenic. We stopped at the overlook for Diablo Lake which has a beautiful torquoise blue color. Even the rivers were a beautiful shade of blue. The color comes from the surrounding glaciers grinding rocks into a fine powder which creates this brilliant torquoise luminosity. Even on the dreary and rainy day we were there the lake's blue color really stood out.







The rivers and trees were just beautiful.


 Some of my other photos included in my mosaic were of some Cedar Waxwings that were in the nearby trees along the overlook. This was the first time I actually saw some juvenile Cedar Waxwings. They were cuties.  The Cedar Waxwings and the Red Breasted Nuthatches were the most common birds we saw. And during our 9 days there we must have heard or saw thousands of them.




I have to mention my dear hubby stood over me holding the umbrella so I could get these shots, isn't he nice. Even the poor birds look wet but still cute. The rain did not stop us from taking walks on the trails the umbrella worked perfect for these times too. After leaving Marblemount we drove onto our next stop along the loop which was Lake Chelan which will be on another post.

We did stop at the town of Winthrop for dinner, which is like an old western town. A neat place to stop and check out the stores, eat dinner and get an ice cream.








To see more cool mosaics visit Mary's Mosaic Monday and to see more of Sally's Blue Monday
thanks Mary and Sally for hosting this fun memes.

I am also link to That's My World.  My vacation in Washington State was going around the Cascade Loop and was my world last week and a half.

Also thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoyed my post.

53 comments:

  1. You have got the perfect cascadeEileen.

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  2. Great mosaic ... that water is the most fantastic colour. Amazing how the colour is the result of wear and tear on the surrounding rocks!
    I've never heard of Cedar Waxwings ... that's a new one for me! So is Red Breasted Nuthatches ... who thinks up these names????

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  3. You always take us to such wonderful and beautiful places...It's a grand adventure!! Cathy

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  4. Stunning photos, love the color of the water and river. Beautiful mosaic.

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  5. Gorgeous! You go to such amazing places! Love these shots!

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  6. The Pacific Northwest is such beautiful territory. I think it may be impossible to take a bad shot! Your images are stunning. Thanks so much for taking me back to a place I love.

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  7. I'm so glad your husband held the umbrella! Those shots are gorgeous! The water must be incredible. Maybe one day I'll make it to that part of the country.

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  8. Beautiful country Eileen, and yes, your hubby is a great guy to hold the umbrella up for you.

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  9. Oh how beautiful! It must have been an amazing trip!!!

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  10. Diablo Lake certainly has the most beautiful shade of water I've ever seen. Just lovely!

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  11. I've never visited Washington State...I'm amazed at the turquoise water in the lake & river! Beautiful...

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  12. What lovely photos! The river is just gorgeous.

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  13. Sorry it rained when you visited our area, but the temperatures have been warm-ish anyway. Glad you had a trusty umbrella and sweet hubby to hold it!

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  14. I always look forward to visiting your blog Eileen, as I know your nature photos will always be beautiful!

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  15. Fantastic post and photos. What talent you have.

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  16. that must be a wonderful trip. love your mosaic, great job. Happy Blue Monday!

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  17. great post and photos. looks like a good time

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  18. I love the blue color of the river and lake..I would love to visit a relaxing place like this one day.Thanks for sharing..
    Hugs, Baba

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  19. the first photos are splendid, it's so fresh and so lush... awesome...

    My BLUE MONDAY here

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  20. What an amazing experience you had. The place is very beautiful and scenic.

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  21. We've visited Washington state once, and I love the "lacy" trees.

    Happy Blue Monday, Eileen! Check out my book giveaway.

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  22. wow..so beautiful landscapes!!Go wish i was there!!!Hugs!!

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  23. You have another great header!

    I always love to walk in a rain, and take pictures under an umbrella.

    It was magical that the butterfly never flew away at the time.

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  24. Absolutely stunning photos! Everything looks so beautiful!

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  25. Beautiful photos from your trip. The turquoise water is stunning.

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  26. Terrific shots in the mosaic.
    Great series of captures.

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  27. So many great places there are in the states. I envy you.

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  28. Wow, what a great place to visit! And lovely photos, as always!

    Hugs from Irene

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  29. What a terrific vacation, Eileen! And your collage is superb! Such marvelous photos! Have to admit I'm just a tad envious! So glad you had a great time and thanks for sharing it with us! Have a wonderful week!

    Sylvia

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  30. Very nice posting - great photos and informative notes - thank you for sharing

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  31. Wow, I really loved your photos. I'm glad I participated in Blue Monday so I could visit all these lovely places.

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  32. What a lovely area! I can see why you would want to visit there!

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  33. Hi Eileen,
    I've said this before, but you sure get to experience some awesome places! I enjoyed your photos and reading about the reason for the color of the water.

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  34. I like the character with the ice cream cone.

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  35. A beautiful place and great shots!

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  36. That juvenile Cedar Waxwing in the rain is just about the cutest thing ever, Eileen.
    I love the glacier-fed lakes and rivers in Washington and British Columbia. You picked a beautiful area for your drive, and your mosaic is super. Thanks.


    Kay
    Alberta, Canada

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  37. The place you went is so beautiful! I've not been there before, but I'd sure love to now! I really enjoyed reading about your experience there and seeing the wonderful pictures.

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  38. Wow, beautiful collage of your vacation. It is very scenic. Even with the rain, you still capture the beauty!! What a nice vacation!

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  39. Great photos, Eileen. And I love your collage. You managed to capture wonderful shots even in the rain. What a good hubby holding the umbrella for you!

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  40. What a great place to visit. It sounds like Canada's west coast with the blue/green lakes and rivers. It does rain a lot in that area but glad you kept on trekking. Birds are cute and bedraggled.

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  41. Hi Eileeninmd,
    questo tuo mondo è meraviglioso !
    sarebbe molto bello poterlo visitare !!!
    Buona giornata :)

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  42. Eileen,
    You asked on my blog if birds eat sumac berries. The answer is yes, in spring when they can't find anything they like better. LOL Robins especially hang out around the bushes in early spring.
    EG

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  43. the birds is so adorable....and all the photos are great

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  44. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog. Put in Bay aka as South Bass Island is near Put in Bay - you take the ferry from Catawba Is which is next to Port Clinton

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  45. Your header and mosaic are gorgeous! I used to live in Washington and have three sons living in the Seattle area so I have spent a lot of time there. I think I may have to break down and get an umbrella so I don't have to worry about getting my camera wet, but I'm not sure my hubby would be as obliging as yours. I think I might have to hold it myself!

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  46. What a beautiful place! Love all your photos, Eileen. And my favourite is the bird. Thank you for sharing.

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  47. What a beautiful place you visited Eileen with a super set of photos to remember your visit with. I think hubby should get a shave though.

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  48. what a great vacation! looks like lots of fun, love the mosaic! that juvie waxwing is adorable!

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