A trip to "War-not"

The Omak Walmart 

(Indistinguishable from every other Walmart on the planet)

But to a country girl named Nova, yesterday was a rare trip into this wonderland of commercialism. Baby Maya slept on and on, plunked down in a Walmart shopping cart like millions of other American newborns before her, while mom and nana picked out a new car seat and other sundries, including a goldfish in a bag for Nova because she was "good."   Well-- pretty good overall, in that monstrous temple of temptation. 

The 50 cent horse ride by the front door was broken, but it didn't matter. He had a real leather saddle and reins. On the way out of the store, Nova made it very clear she wanted to go back to "War-not" soon.

Everyone was hungry by then, so we had a big lunch at a Mexican restaurant in downtown Omak.

On a side note, you may have heard of Omak, because the town is notorious for a horrible equestrian event called the "suicide race." I don't always agree with  PAWS, but they're right on this one.

Then we buckled up in the car again for the 35 mile trip back to Twisp.  It was a bit tight in Little Beep, our Honda.  Was it the Mexican food? Nova had lots to say along the way.  Lots.

John drove carefully up the pass and sweet Maya slept on until we reached the summit of the Loup Loup.  It was finally her time to be hungry, so we took a short break at the ski area and walked with Nova for a few minutes in the chilly woods.

The larch trees were turning golden, a pretty sight here in the fall.  Although a conifer, they lose their needles and are bare in the winter. The sun was shining but there was a nip of winter.  We may be driving through snow on the way home tomorrow. It's been raining for days now in Seattle.

The goldfish looked a bit sluggish after the long trip home, but as Amanda says, you have to be tough to live in the Methow Valley.