Red. White. Blue.

I still love this flawed and beautiful country, but the 4th of July holiday leaves me flat. Above is my single patriotic contribution, and prettier than a flag. 

The 4th is more fun in Twisp with a small town parade (cowboys on beautiful horses!) then the Methow Arts Fest in the afternoon and a barbecue potluck at the house. Well, hopefully next year.

The world seems to be divided right now between those who follow soccer and those who don't. Ashamed to say, we are in the second category. 

The big news buzz this morning is the US team returning to Seattle Stadium on Monday to play Belgium. Good for them. The cheapest tickets are about $2000. Pioneer Square and the waterfront will be mobbed, with locals giving the area a wide berth. 

Basketball and football are made for TV, but I can't follow that little white ball on a screen.  

From AI: 

"The continuous, low-scoring nature of the sport and the wide camera angles on TV can make it feel incredibly disconnected and monotonous."

Right on that. 

On the trail

 

Finally a cool down in Switzerland, with some refreshing morning rain. Amanda said they slept well in the "crush of humanity" at the hut last night. Exhaustion helps. 

Howdy, fine fellow. The Swiss cows must be used to legions of hikers tramping along the trails. The sound of their clanking bells is omnipresent, day and night. That big bell with the deep pitch means he is the alpha (no argument there) and the others can follow the sound in the fog. 

Speaking of heat, it's so cold our furnace is running. This comes courtesy of Alaska, with a low pressure system pulling damp cold air down our way. July 1st? Sometimes it is downright weird living up here in the left hand corner.

Too bad we can't sell the country some of this natural air conditioning.