Heaven and Nature Sing

There's something about sitting on a riverbank, first cup of coffee in hand on a cool misty morning that caused me to look in wonder at all that was before me.

The mountains had a fresh dusting of snow on them, the leaves changing red and yellow.  The Wenatchee was up a bit from all the rain.  It came winding past me swiftly making its way through the valley.  Over a rocky dam it picked up speed on the way.  As I sat there on the porch, a thought revealed itself to me. It was all too big, too much to take in.  The sounds, the beauty - immense.   Nature is that way, too big, too amazing to take in. Created by a God too big and too amazing to take in.

Sitting on the banks of the Wenatchee River, I was reminded that scripture says if we do not worship, the rocks themselves will cry out.  Sitting in that place, surrounded by mountains, the sound of the river roaring downstream made me realize that all nature has a voice.  A sound all it's own that sings to God whether I do or not.

It just depends on us if it will sing melody or harmony, but sing it will - regardless.  I'm going to join in the chorus...let Heaven and Nature sing.

"Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy." -- Psalm 98:8.

Leavenworth, Lake Wenatchee & Hidden Lake

Washington State is just beautiful.  Period.

The breakfasts that we have been served at the Enchanted River Inn in Leavenworth have been truly great.  Our hosts, Kathy and Bill Lynn have embraced the challenge of Gluten Free cooking with gusto.  Today we enjoyed Pluot sorbet (a fruit that is a combination of Plum/Apricot) Apple Pancakes with fresh maple syrup, sausage links and baked fresh peaches.  Each day our hosts have outdone themselves with new treats.  I will leave here with recipes in hand.

We continued our honeymoon the last couple of days exploring the countryside around Leavenworth, Washington.  Yesterday was spent exploring the town itself, a quaint Bavarian town where townsfolk wear Lederhosen and stockings and eat foods with way too many syllables.  Of course, we had to join in.

We refrained from a change in clothing but did try Curt's Curryworst and Han's Jalapeño and Cheddar Bratwurst with Sauerkraut at the Muchen Haus Bavarian Grill and Beer Garden.  The sign overhead boasted the best Bockwust and Kelbassi this side of the big pond and in my limited experience I can agree.

The lazy day was spent strolling from shop to shop and seeing the sights of Leavenworth, which included the largest "mini" golf place I've ever seen, billy goats grazing on the roadside, large hanging pots of blooming flowers and pear trees blooming on the side of the road.

Today the adventure took us up Tumwater Canyon on Highway 2 to Lake Wenatchee.  We drove to the Hidden Lake trailhead and decided to hike toward the lake. The trail is heavily forested and at the entrance to the trail  the sign warns hikers that Grizzly and Black bear have been sighted in the area.  The sign, however, does not tell the hiker what to do should a bear be encountered.  Since Brent grew up in the area, I asked if he knew what to do should we encounter a bear on our way to the Hidden lake.

"Yes" He replied, "I do" and he continued walking in the rain.

"Well, what are you supposed to do?" I asked.

He quipped "All I have to do is run faster than you"

I guess the honeymoon is over.