2008 "Scenes & Seasons of the Methow Valley" Calendar
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This calendar was printed by “GreenerPrinter,” a California-based environmentally friendly printing service, featuring New Leaf paper, certified green practices and 100% wind power. The paper was “Sakura Silk” - a revolutionary and beautiful coated paper that is 100% post-consumer waste recycled and has a silky touch to it. Greenerprinter uses wind-power, and off-sets the greenhouse gas emissions for shipping by investments in renewable energy for net-zero energy use. The paper is processed chlorine free; is ancient forest friendly; and uses soy or vegetable-based inks. We gave 10% of our net profits from the sale of the calendar to the Methow Conservancy.
JANUARY Fresh snow glistens on top of Hancock Creek, which is fed by an underground spring and doesn’t freeze up until later in the winter. Grizzly Mountain, near the Weeman Bridge, rises in the background. By Mary Kiesau |
FEBRUARY Clouds cover Highway 20, the “hairpin,” and Early Winters Creek, while Kangaroo Ridge is greeted by a crisp morning of blue skies and sunshine. By Merle Kirkley |
MARCH Looking down valley past a ponderosa pine, a frigid, winter sunrise fills the sky with the fiery warmth of summer. By Mary Kiesau |
APRIL The “Shooting Star,” in the Primrose Family, is one of the first flowers that blooms after the snow melts - and certainly one of the prettiest. Some people think this flower resembles a beautiful, flying bird with the downward pointing stamens and pistils being a sharp beak. By Mary Kiesau |
MAY A Bumblebee visits an Arrowleaf Balsamroot, a plant that covers the valley in large clumps of golden yellow every spring. Balsamroot are very difficult to transplant from the wild but they can be grown from seed with several years of patience and care. By Mary Kiesau |
JUNE Native Bunchgrasses and Bitterbrush are key species in the healthy “shrub-steppe” habitat in the uplands of Pearrygin Lake State Park in Winthrop. By Mary Kiesau |
JULY July is known for intense sunsets, and large, dry storms that bring waves of lightening, which in turn often set off fires in the forests that surround the valley. Here a sunset over Goat Peak foretells an impending storm. By Merle Kirkley |
AUGUST When the valley floor is baking under 100+ degree heat, it’s time to head for the mountains. On clear days, atop a high peak, one can see Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker. On hot, hazy days, the rugged peaks of the North Cascades march off into the distance as in a big, blue parade. Taken from Wallaby Peak looking southwest. By Mary Kiesau |
SEPTEMBER A hike or mountain-bike to Cutthroat Pass from the Pacific Crest Trail or from Cutthroat Creek is a popular day trip, especially in the early days of Autumn when huckleberry bushes burn red and larches shock the senses with their flaming gold needles. The view looks toward the Washington Pass area with Washington Pass Peak in the left foreground and Liberty Bell just right of center in the background. By Merle Kirkley |
OCTOBER Autumn in the Methow is hard to beat with its crisp, cool mornings, warm days and blankets of deep, rich colors filling every corner of the valley. Here, fog slowly burns off the Methow River which will soon be speckled with the fallen yellow leaves of the surrounding cottonwoods. By Mary Kiesau |
NOVEMBER If month’s have adjectives, then peace, serenity and quiet must be November’s. A strong but humble month, November lets go of Fall with effortless grace, and embraces the weight and darkness of winter with the delicate touch of a wise woman. Here, snow falls quietly on the Spruces around Rainy Lake. By Mary Kiesau |
DECEMBER A brilliant blue sky shows off one of Sun Mountain Lodge’s many great views. It’s a perfect day for ice-fishing on Patterson Lake, skiing the groomed nordic trails or simply wandering around on snowshoes looking for tracks left by creatures such as hares, weasels, coyotes, mule deer, and cougar. A hot toddy awaits you by the fire afterall... By Mary Kiesau |