Spring Creek Bridge

The brand new Spring Creek Bridge was looking beautiful this morning! Most of the valley got between 6-8 inches of snow last night. Let the cross country skiing begin!

First Snow


We all have our own personal associations with the season’s first snow. Some may think of s’mores, ruddy cheeks, wool or wood. I think of Jeremiah Johnson.


During my years fighting fire for the USFS we would often watch Sydney Pollack’s 1972 film in the late fall as the air turned cold and the snow plows starting driving toward Washington Pass.

With snow falling outside, the Methow Valley begins her long winter season wrapped in white. And I hope that Sydney, Bob and all the Great Hunters of the world are resting…cozy and warm.



Beautiful article in the New York Times on Dale Longanecker who recently retired from the North Cascades Smokejumper Base in Winthrop, Washington. After 38 years as a Smokejumper and 896 jumps, Dale holds a jump record that may never be broken.

Congratulations to Dale, his wife Kristy and their daughter, Ashley. And another round of congratulations are due for Michael Noe seated next to Dale in the above picture for being named Dale’s successor as Loft Foreman at NCSB.