We have to be in one of the most beautiful and scenic areas of the country. We are camped at Pearrygin Lake State Park, about three miles outside of Winthrop Washington. Today we drove over Washington Pass, (aka. North Cascades Pass.) As usual we were being chased by a rain storm, so every time we stopped and walked out to view a waterfall or scenic stretch of the Skagit River, it would start with a little pitty pat and turn into a drenching by the time we got back to the coach. Even as we were selecting our campsite this little rain squall slipped in from the west and began pelting us. We fooled it this time, we waited inside until it passed on by and then finished up and registered,

I am sitting here in my easy chair, looking out toward the west-north-west. Let me draw a picture with words. Pearrygin lake is about 200 yards away. Most of it is like a mirror. In the middle of the lake there are patches of ruffled water from the evening breeze. Beyond the lake is a forested hill sliding out from behind a tree from the left. Another green hill just beyond slopes down from the right to pinch off the valley and contain the lake. It has just the barest fringe of trees around its summit. Beyond this valley is rank upon rank of towering mountains. Each one leaping higher than the one in front until the lofty glacier covered crags of the North Cascades wilderness shoulder the cumulus clouds that are following the front that just passed through. My best guess is that I am looking at Jack Mountain and Challenger Mountain on the Cascade crest.

I will put a picture below, but I want you to promise you will come here and look for yourself. Photographs just cannot do this grandeur any justice at all.

Spring is definitely the time to visit here. Most years you have to cross the Cascades and drive up from the Okanogin Valley when you visit in early spring. This was the earliest year ever for opening the North Cascades route. They were able to clear the snow drifts by March 10th this year. There was practically no snow left at the top of Washington Pass today at 5, 475 feet. The Methow valley will be toasty brown by mid July. This valley has been a popular retreat for our family for many years. Judy’s parents were raised in Winthrop, and her Grandfather was the country doctor here for many years. We came to visit relatives when it was a sleepy little town. A decade ago the town reshaped its image as a Wild West frontier town and tourist trap. But you can’t see Winthrop from our lake.

We close with love for all of our friends and family. Gary and Judy

P.S. I didn’t misspell the name of the lake. It is not named for a bird.