The days fly by

 

That's Nova, tacking up "Buttons" for her lesson yesterday afternoon.  Methow Riding Unlimited is a non-profit academy just across the road from the Methow Valley Elementary and High School. It's a great location because the kids can walk over. Annie B, the beloved and highly respected director, has taught therapeutic riding in the Valley for 30 years. No one knows horses (and kids) better than Annie.

 

This is a small outdoor facility, so when the snow arrives the horses get a well-deserved rest. Then the winter activities begin. Not surprisingly, there's an especially good Nordic skiing program coached by several former Olympians. 

The quality of adult coaching, teaching and mentoring is amazing. Isolated from the realities of urban life, life in the Valley for these kids is a bubble, frankly. They have incredible opportunities to participate in sports, drama and the arts that don't exist anywhere else.

Yesterday morning my friend Karen and I hiked to the top of Amanda and Tom's property. It's just a few miles outside of Twisp, but feels like wilderness land. We saw many deer and birds on our slow walk uphill-- the road is steep.

It was yet another perfect fall day ho-hum this is getting old (not!) then in the afternoon I drove Nova to Winthrop for her lesson and met up with Amanda and Tom at the elementary school for an open house with Maya. A huge community turn out for that.

We were back in Twisp before dark (I don't night drive here) everyone hungry and tired but just a typical work and school day. The time goes fast, even days when I don't have much planned. Back to Seattle tomorrow, so I'll get the house cleaned and ready for November. Bring the summer chairs up from the river, and a last bike ride around town before winter.