Good Life April 2011 by The Good Life

WENATCHEE VALLEY’S #1 MAGAZINE

A H t

om e

Fr for esh id the eas ho me IN

SIDE

April 2011

Let’s get going!

Open for fun and adventure

" Raising an outdoors child " Fly fishing on Christmas Island " Seeing the world over a lifetime " A pretty little hike with a fresh fish lunch

plus Racing in the Baja 1000

Cover price: $3

OPENING SHOT ®

Year 5, Number 4 April 2011 The Good Life is published by NCW Good Life, LLC, dba The Good Life 10 First Street, Suite 108 Wenatchee, WA 98801 PHONE: (509) 888-6527 E-MAIL: editor@ncwgoodlife.com sales@ncwgoodlife.com ONLINE: www.ncwgoodlife.com

Fire down the road Wenatchee photographer Cary Ulrich has been shooting stock images for sale as prints or to news publications for over 30 years. For the last five years, he has been the photographer for Chelan County Fire District #1 and now goes on calls for not only CCFD #1 but also Douglas County Fire District #2 and Wenatchee Fire and Rescue. Having trained alongside the firefighters, he has access to areas of a fire scene that others

don’t have. He said he finds this kind of photography exciting and rewarding. The photo shown here is from the Badger Mountain Fire in early July of 2008 at the Doneen Rainy Road. “I had been on this fire a couple of nights earlier, but this evening the crews were positioned to hold the fire at Badger Mountain Road,” said Cary. “As you can see in the photo, there was heavy fire in the distance and a lot of smoke with a pretty good wind making it too dangerous to put crews in the

area. Within a couple of hours, we had to retreat further down the road where the crews fought and contained the fire from crossing the road.” For more of Cary’s photos, see www.cuphoto.zenfolio.com.

On the cover

Roper Steere flies through the air with the greatest of ease — smiling from the thrill of being airborne, and knowing his dad Toby is right there with arms outstretched. Mom Molly Steere took the photo.

Editor, Mike Cassidy Contributors, Cary Ulrich, Craig Lasater, Rod Luce, Molly Steere, Lance Stegemann, Ed Therriault, Donna Cassidy, Bonnie Orr, Alex Saliby, Jim Brown, June Darling, Dan McConnell, Susan Lagsdin and Rod Molzahn Advertising manager, Jim Senst Advertising sales, John Hunter and Mike Moore Bookkeeping and circulation, Donna Cassidy Proofing, Jean Senst and Joyce Pittsinger Ad design, Rick Conant TO SUBSCRIBE: For $25, ($30 out of state address) you can have 12 issues of The Good Life mailed to you or a friend. Send payment to: The Good Life 10 First Street, Suite 108 Wenatchee, WA 98801 Phone 888-6527 Online: www.ncwgoodlife.com To subscribe/renew by e-mail, send credit card info to: donna@ncwgoodlife.com BUY A COPY of The Good Life at Hastings, Caffé Mela, Eastmont Pharmacy, Food Pavilion stores in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee, Martin’s Market Place (Cashmere) and A Book for All Seasons (Leavenworth) ADVERTISING: For information about advertising in The Good Life, contact Jim Senst, advertising manager, at (509) 670-8783, or sales@ncwgoodlife.com WRITE FOR THE GOOD LIFE: We welcome articles about people from Chelan and Douglas counties. Send your idea to Mike Cassidy at editor@ncwgoodlife.com

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Contents

editor’s notes

MIKE CASSIDY

Living life large in the outdoors How could you live in this

page 7

Raising a child who loves the outdoors

Features

FLY FISHING ON CHRISTMAS ISLAND

Craig Lasater flew to the equator where the fish are the size of monsters and as fast as darts

6 a trophy in his backyard

Hunter Aaron Roth won a once-in-a-lifetime permit to hunt mountain sheep and came home with one for the record books

8 a lifetime of traveling

Rod Luce has seen every continent in the world — but he’s not finished yet

10 WHAT A NICE DAY FOR A HIKE Heather Lake — even the name sounds pretty

12 GET YOUR RACING CLOTHES ON

Just a helper on the chase team, motorcyclist is suddenly thrown into one of the wildest races in the world: the Baja 1000

18 At Home

with

The Good Life

• Nothing synthetic, just a Plain natural • Good stuff — ideas for the home from Smallwood’s Harvest

Columns & Departments 17 June Darling: What’s your motivation? 24 The traveling doctor: Drink up — water, that is 25 Bonnie Orr: Eating greens from your yard & garden 26 Alex Saliby: How a barrel tasting should be run 27-31 Events, The Art Life & a Dan McConnell cartoon 32 History: How apples were started in the Valley 34 Fun Stuff: 5 activities to check out

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area and not occasionally wander into the hills to experience the glories of Mother Nature? Would you live in Kansas City and not try out barbecue joints? Would you reside in Manhattan and not go to Broadway plays? Could you settle down in Nashville and never go to the Grand Ole Opry? But one can be excused for wondering if the outdoors is going out of style. When I was growing up, being restricted from playing outside was a form of punishment. “You better stay in for a while, Mike. Sit at the table and color,” my grandmother would scold me. On my good days, I could spend all the daylight hours in the woods, or fishing along the local creeks with a cousin, or hunting birds with my bb gun. (The birds didn’t have much to fear — I was a terrible shot and the cheap imported gun was so punchless bbs bounced off the breasts of robins.) Nowdays, we punish kids by sending them outside away from the TV, video games and instant messaging gadgets. Except, we don’t send them very far because of the terrible fears we have if they should happen to wander out of the fenced yard. So, this month it’s fun to have stories about people who are getting out in the glories of nature. Molly Steere writes how she and her husband, Toby, are purposefully raising a child to enjoy the outdoors. A key, as she says in the story on page 7, is be willing to structure the experience so it’s enjoyable from their young son’s point

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of view. Molly, who wrote an article for The Good Life on the eve of this Great Recession about living on less, added in a recent e-mail there’s another benefit to playing outside. “Frugal fun comes from playing outside. Once you have the gear, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, nature walks and playing in Wenatchee’s great parks is FREE! I love that word. Plus it’s a great way for us to spend time as a family while getting exercise.” Free sounds good. Lance Stegemann and his girlfriend, Barb Wilson, didn’t travel far nor did they spend much when they found a peaceful, majestic world where delicious tidbits grew on bushes and lunch was swimming in the lake. See their story on page 10. And then there is Ed Therriault, who was nearly pulverized by bad terrain and a beast of a motorcycle during the Baja 1000 race. As Ed says: “It is one of the most prestigious off-road races in the world. “Most any off-road rider who has ever entered a race dreams of some day competing in The Race — the Baja 1000. “Every rider, every year has his own story; this is mine. When people ask if it was fun, I say does it sound fun? “Am I glad I did it? A 1,000 times yes. Would I do it again? HELL NO.” See his story starting on page 12. Let’s get going — and enjoy The Good Life. — Mike

snapshots

Fly fishing on christmas island: hooking a dream By Craig Lasater

ome fly fishermen prefer to stay close to home. They get to know these waters like old friends. I like my old friends but dream of far off destinations that grace the pages of magazines and web sites. To be honest, it’s a little like fishing porn. At least that’s what people tell me. This past January my friend, Len Howard, and I were able to visit one of these life list places. Christmas Island has drawn salt-water fly fishermen for decades. The Island is located 1,300 miles south of Hawaii just north of the equator. It was discovered on Christmas Eve, 1777, by Captain Cook and is part of the Republic of Kiribati. To get there requires a flight to Hawaii and then another grand to take the weekly flight to the island. There are no real tourist facilities other than the four lodges that cater to fishermen and surfers. The draw for fishermen is bonefish, two to ten pound dragsters, and three kinds of trevally.

Craig Lasater and a guide look for bonefish swimming along near the beach.

The grand trevally can reach 100 pounds and test the heaviest fly rods. They are just bright, kick-ass brutes. We were impressed with the Air Pacific flight to the island. The interior of the plane was immaculate and the staff friendly and efficient not to mention the free beer. After we landed, cleared customs and purchased fishing licenses, we were loaded on a truck with open-air benches for the drive to the lodge. Four young guys from Alaska were fishing out of the same lodge. Theirs was a story of entrepreneurial success. Matt started a restaurant and brewery from the ground up in Anchor-

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April 2011 | The Good Life

Craig and guide show off a giant trevally.

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snapshots

chumming for trevally. This required beach seining a bunch of age. He hired his friends for the milkfish, setting up on an outstart-up. The original Moose’s flowing current and throwing Tooth and Pizzeria has expandchopped-up fish in the water. ed and they now employ 500 The scent would draw trevally people. They were crazy fisherto us. men who had traveled to some On the last day we had big of the same destinations we had. fish with their backs out of the The lodging was rustic and water rooting for pieces of fish. the shower cold. The owner It may take several casts but the guaranteed the can of balm fish will take a large fly in this in the rooms would kill even situation. the largest of the bug invaders. Len hooked a freight train that The meals were a combination burned off 300 yards of line. We of western and island fare. I parhad to get in the boat and chase ticularly liked the tuna sashimi the fish down. After a 45-minute served before dinner. At state side prices I probably consumed slugfest the fish was at the boat and the hook simply pulled out. $40 worth at every meal. The guide estimated the fish Christmas Island is known for at 75 or 80 pounds. It was deflatits hard bottom wade fishing. ing; it sucked but that’s fishing. Most casting is done only after There is a wild beauty to this a fish is sighted. Casts must be place. The water is a changing accurate, which was problematic palette of color depending on in the strong winds we encouncloud and sun. Palm trees frame tered. white sand beaches. Seabirds Too many times I was removof all sizes and descriptions are ing a fly that I forward cast into the back of my head. The guides constantly in view. There are more things to see, people to showed great kindness in not meet, and fish to catch. I can’t laughing out loud. wait to go back. Len had the best bone fishing experience. Craig Lasater is a long time In a magic hour, without havWenatchee Valley resident. He worked 20 years with youth offending to move, he caught seven ers — 10 years as a social worker. He between three and six pounds is retired but works seasonally as each. I am not competitive and a fishway attendant on the Rocky was so happy for him. Reach Juvenile Fish Bypass. He can be We had the best success reached at lasaterce@charter.net.

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Len Howard shows a bonefish: Fishermen had to wear extensive protection because of the bright sun near the equator.

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Aaron Roth and his wife, Angela, with a world-record California Bighorn Ram taken in the Swakane Canyon.

HUNT IN HIS ‘OWN BACK YARD’ PRODUCES WORLD RECORD “I

t was like winning a big lottery and having it all to yourself,” said Aaron Roth about drawing the once-in-a-lifetime hunting permit for sheep last year and then downing a California Bighorn Ram that has been recognized as a world record. “My wife, Angela, a good buddy Derek and I put in 23 scout trips prior to the season,”

“For someone who has not hunted the Swakane unit, this is very steep and rugged country.”

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said Aaron, who grew up in Wenatchee and has hiked and hunted for years in the Swakane Canyon, north of Wenatchee, where he shot the ram on Sept. 16. “For someone who has not hunted the Swakane unit, this is very steep and rugged country,” said Aaron. “If you ever draw a permit, you better spend the time getting in shape. Lucky for me, this hunt took place in my own back yard where I have been hunting my whole life.” During the scouting trips, “we ran into rattlesnakes, found deer sheds and lost arrows along the way. We snapped a lot of photos and got some good video. I had 40 to 45 different rams to choose from, three of which were very nice, but one was over the top. This was the big boy... ‘brown butt’ or ‘the king’ as he is known.” Since the kill, the horns have been measured and found to be the largest California Bighorn sheep harvested in the U.S. and the world.

guest column // MOLLY STEERE

mom’s resolution: Raise a child who loves the outdoors At the beginning of the

year I faced the same dilemma as previous years: should I make any resolutions? I’m the person who always has the predictable “get more organized” and “lose weight” on her list of New Year’s resolutions. I should probably add “back up the computer more often” to that list since I’m rewriting this due to a hard drive malfunction. Unfortunately, the Organizational Fairy hasn’t visited me, my pants are too tight and my work is lost. Weary of having the same resolutions year after year, I decided to declare only one resolution for 2011. I had to choose a single resolution that was feasible, inexpensive (Tahiti was quickly scratched off the list) and promoted good health. The winner? Instill my love of the outdoors in my son. Last year, I wrote an article on WenatcheeOutdoors.org titled “Mom Madness” about the importance of making time to play outside, even with a newborn. I think my husband Toby and I have done a great job of getting out with our son Roper, who is

Toby Steere and Roper: Off into the outdoors — well protected.

now 18 months old. He’s been Nordic and downhill skiing. We’ve taken him hiking, sledding, snowshoeing and even mountain biking. He’s splashed around in rivers and lakes. And, of course, he’s been camping. The truth is that Roper previously had no choice but to join us on these adventures. He was strapped in a front carrier, backpack or bike trailer, unable to do anything but go along with our half-baked ideas. This year, it’s been my resolution to make the outdoors so fun that Roper becomes a willing participant in our adventures. I want him to

April 2011 | The Good Life

turn to us on the ski hill or the trail and ask if we can go again. And again. And again. This means shorter trails with many pit stops. Our ski days would be more aptly named “expensive cocoa outings” and come summer, our mountain biking will be unbearably tame. We, against our every desire, try to call it a day while Roper is still having fun so he’ll want to come back. It’s been frustrating at times, and it will most likely get harder. But the frustration is worth it if it instills a lifetime love of the outdoors in my son.

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Eventually, I want Roper to experience the thrill of fresh tracks, peak bagging and log rides. In the short term, I just want him to enjoy playing outside… and wear himself out enough to nap. Molly Steere is a full-time mom and freelance writer who loves a good outdoor adventure. You can visit her blog at www.mollyflewthecoop.com.

Rod and Rita Luce have visited all seven continents and will talk about their travels at a Wenatchee Valley College class.

Why do we travel? To see what is out there on every continent Photos and Story By Rod Luce

ita and I recently took a wonderful 29-day trip to the Antarctic and South America, an adventure we had been planning for more than 10 years. During our trip, many people said it must be the trip of a lifetime. Sometimes it seemed that way, but it was really just another adventure along our road of life. My family car-camped extensively when I was young and I was able to visit 34 states before I graduated from high school. I loved it. I enjoyed the history and geography, the wildlife and plants. I enjoyed taking pictures of what I saw and sharing them with others. While I was in college, I traveled to Japan, alone, for a summer. I worked for a missionary

A llama surveys the grounds at the abandoned Inca city of Machu Picchu in Peru.

who wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let me buy a nice camera (my goal) until I learned to use one. So he loaned me his old Leica and his darkroom, and gave me some bulk-load film and his knowledge of photogra-

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phy. I was hooked. In graduate school I met Rita. Her travels included Oregon and British Columbia. We were soon married and off to Germany, my first assignment as an Army

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officer. In our three years there, we traveled as often as possible through Western Europe. Seeing other cultures and learning their history was exciting to both of us.

King Penguins mill around a creek on South Georgia Island.

Later, a two-year assignment to Saudi Arabia with the family allowed us to see more of the world, which included two “trips of a lifetime.” One trek included India, Nepal, Thailand and Australia; the other included Kenya, Egypt and Turkey. Both were more than three weeks long. We took lots of photos and notes, keeping journals of the trips. By the time I retired from the Army, I had been to 49 states, most Canadian provinces, five continents and 25 countries. We had circumnavigated the earth traveling west. We had maps on the wall at home with silver charms from most places we had visited. South America and the Antarctic beckoned. Fifteen years later we have added Alaska, a few more provinces and the last two continents. We spent 17 days on an Antarctic cruise that included the Falkland Islands, the South Georgia Islands and many islands of the Antarctic. We visited southern Argentina, the Iguazu Falls of northern Argentina, the Andes in Patagonia and Chile, and Inca ruins of Peru, including Cusco and Machu Picchu. When we told friends of our

planned trip, many asked why we would go there. Usually we answered “because it is there,” which was my usual answer when people asked why I climbed mountains. We also say, “because we haven’t been there yet” and “why not?” This trip was planned because we wanted to see one of the biggest waterfalls in the world, we wanted to see where Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew had survived 18 months after a shipwreck, we wanted to visit penguins in their habitat and we wanted to visit Machu Picchu. The absolutely glorious part of this trip is that we had the perfect weather every step of the way. We had sun on icebergs, we had a snowstorm at Elephant Island where Shackleton’s crew spent four months on a tiny spit of rock. We had sun and a thunderstorm at the Iguazu Falls, which allowed us to see birds that don’t come out in certain weather conditions. I was eyeball to eyeball with a redbacked hawk for five minutes while it hovered above the ocean checking me out at 10 meters’ distance. We watched clouds lift to sunshine at Machu Picchu, with shadows changing every minute. April 2011 | The Good Life

Iguazu Falls in northern Argentina.

Andean Condors soared above our boat and bus in the parks of Argentina and Chile. We travel for those opportunities that don’t occur on TV or around the neighborhood. But I also hike locally, spending a 10day trek in the back country of Washington every summer with friends, my dog Max, my fly rod and my camera. All of this is worth the expense to us. I don’t know what we give up to afford this, because we have been planning and doing this since we were married. And we do it on our pay. I am currently a high school counselor in Quincy, and Rita is a secretary at an elementary school in Quincy. We have lived here for 11 years, by far the longest we have lived anywhere at www.ncwgoodlife.com

one time. For this to work we set goals and priorities, and then make our budget to allow the trip to happen. These are plans, not just dreams. This summer we are planning a trip to the East Coast. Our longer term planning includes a trip to visit the northern reaches of Europe, from Iceland through Scandinavia. There are just so many more places to visit for us to sit still and let the world pass us by. Rod and Rita Luce will share stories of their recent trip at a Wenatchee Valley College continuing education class, in partnership with Total Travel of Wenatchee. The class is Thursday, April 14, 6-9 p.m. in room 1070 of Wells Hall. Pre-registration is required at www.ced.wvc, or by phoning 682-6900. Cost: $15.

Clouds create nice lighting on Heather Lake and its basin.

Nice day to hike with a pretty destination By Lance Stegemann

Heather Lake is just one of the many

pristine areas we enjoy here on the east slopes of the Cascades, and regardless of the clouds settling in on this cool blustery Sep-

tember morning, we found ourselves excited to be getting an early start. This was a hike we had been looking forward to for some time now, and with the changing weather, my girlfriend Barb Wilson and I decided today would be the day. With our Australian shepherd in tow, we arrived at the trailhead about 40 miles northwest of Leavenworth, looking forward to a day spent in the woods. After the chill of a cool autumn night, the trees and vegetation were covered in dew and a light breeze whistled through the dense canopy above. As we began our hike, we were surrounded by the majestic old growth forest of large diameter cedar, fir and hemlocks. The pungent smell of decaying plant matter permeated from the damp earth at our feet.

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The forests are intoxicating this time of year and it was hard not to get caught up in the tranquility of such a serene setting. A chickadee busily fluttered through the branches of a nearby tree as its soft notes broke the silence of our walk. About a mile and a half down the trail we crossed Lake Creek and entered the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. We stopped briefly to take a few photos and grab a quick bite to eat. There was a narrow break in the clouds and a hint of blue peered from behind a grey sky. There were a few tell-tale signs that we might see rain before the trip was over, but that didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dampen our spirits. A few mushrooms emerged from the forest floor and a black beetle scurried across a decaying log on awkward legs.

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Barb and I sat on an exposed granite boulder and absorbed the sights and sounds that surrounded us. A cool breeze sent a slight chill along my back as a gust of wind swirled past. The cooler temperatures of fall were but a small price to pay to avoid the hoards of biting insects during the warmer months. As we gathered our gear, we began the long series of switchbacks that led up toward the lake. Along the way we grazed on the few huckleberries still left from an unusually sparse season. It was early September but the leaves on the vine maple and hardwoods had changed to their vibrant hues of red, orange and yellow. Our dog Shep enjoyed a rest near a large downed snag. He had been preoccupied by the various scents he found along the way. This was not his first time out, but his curiosity and excitement never seem to wane. Once we passed the steepest part of our climb, we arrived at a shallow bog where a number of rocks and logs were strategically placed to avoid a soggy mishap. It was here that we encountered a couple of hikers who were also out to enjoy the afternoon. They informed us of the incoming storm and said they had not seen anyone at the lake during their stay. I knew the lake was pretty popular due to it being relatively accessible, but we had purposely chosen this time of year and the middle of the week to avoid the

higher use. When we had finally reached the lake, a ceiling of clouds hung low over the surrounding mountains. An inversion had settled in over us and only the lower half of the basin was visible. The lake itself was calm and a few insects skirted along the shore. I saw some trout dart within the shadows of some overlying debris. As we stopped to observe the view, an osprey circled from overhead, and with calculating precision, swooped down from the sky and scooped up a flailing fish. As the breeze died down a light rain began to fall. We both packed our rain gear in the likely event the weather might take a turn for the worse. Finding a windbreak among the trees, I stretched out a small tarp and fired up my portable cook stove to heat up a pot of coffee. We both sat content under our makeshift hooch, sipping quietly on coffee and listening to the rain patter against the tarp overhead. When the clouds began to lift, we ventured out to the lake and tried our luck at catching a few fish for lunch. Almost immediately, after landing gently on the water, my fly imitation was inhaled by a ravenous trout. With a tug on the line to set the hook, I retrieved it ever so carefully as to not lose what would become the main table fare of our high mountain cuisine. With a full belly and the af-

April 2011 | The Good Life

Barb Wilson picks berries along the way to Heather Lake.

ternoon fading fast, we started our three-mile trek back to the trailhead. A few colorful leaves drifted across our path and floated precariously in the breeze. The mountains had disappeared behind a thick wall of dark clouds. It was a wonderful way to end the day, but with daylight now almost gone and a steady rain soaking through our gear, it was good to be back in the comfort of our vehicle.

State Route 207 (signed for Lake Wenatchee) and proceed 4.2 miles to a Y intersection after crossing the Wenatchee River. Bear left onto North Shore Road. At 7.6 miles, after passing the ranger station and crossing the White River, the road becomes Forest Service Road number 65. Continue west for 4.7 miles, turning left onto FS Rd number 67. After 0.4 miles, turn right onto FS Rd number 6701. Continue for 4.7 miles, turning left onto FS Rd number 6701400 (signed “Heather Lake T.H.”). Drive for 2.4 miles to the road’s end and trailhead.

To get to this trailhead, starting from the town of Leavenworth, you will travel west on US Hwy. 2 for about 15 miles. Turn left (north) onto

Lance Stegemann is a resident of East Wenatchee. He enjoys the outdoors with his girlfriend Barb Wilson and their two Australian shepherd dogs.

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Ed Therriault rips out of the Loreto landfill pitstop on “The Beast” — after the longest night of his life racing across a dark and rough countryside.

Just bring us the bike In the middle of the night, a BACKUP rider gets thrown into one of the wickedest rough-road motorcycle races in the world. And survives to write about it.

By Ed Therriault

The traffic inched forward

as I pondered my unusually hectic day. The commute to my Wenatchee home was short but slow on this dreary November evening. I could walk faster, I thought to myself, as a bicycle blew by on the shoulder of the road. The flashing red beacon on the

back of the cyclist immediately mesmerized me. Even among all the taillights, the disappearing two-inch flashing red safety beacon grabbed my attention. Like a trigger keyword to the victim of a hypnotist, this little flashing red light booted up memories and emotions seemingly out of nowhere. My mind and heart raced with thoughts and memories from the last time I saw such a flash-

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ing red beacon. It was two years earlier, almost to the day that I found myself thrust into the 40th running of the Baja 1000. I had agreed to accompany and support the Iron Mountain Racing team out of Duvall, a small town just east of Bellevue. This was the team’s inaugural attempt at the Baja 1000, a race over rough roads and off-road from Ensenda Mexico to Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip of

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the Baja Peninsula. The team consisted of four racers and one motorcycle. The riders —Tim Hollenbeck, John Isenberg, Brandon Whalon and Jim Thompson — would ride relay to get a Honda XR 650 motorcycle 1,300 miles in roughly 34 hours. My job was to drive a chase truck and support the riders, not only on race day but also during pre-running of the course.

It was 4 a.m. and Brandon, the team’s only seasoned Baja racer, lay folded in half on the floor of the van writhing with stomach pain. Then, 18 hours into the race, my role changed dramatically. It was 4 a.m. and Brandon, the team’s only seasoned Baja racer, lay folded in half on the floor of the van writhing with stomach pain. We had been waiting all night for our rider Tim to arrive. We thought Brandon’s discomfort was just nerves or some temporary condition. As Tim flew up to the van, Brandon uttered four words that would change my night and maybe my life: “Get your stuff on.” In talking before the race with East Wenatchee’s Taber Murphy, a seasoned veteran of the Baja 1000, we decided to add me to the team as a rider. My history of racing off-road motorcycles made me the best candidate for a backup rider. Now this paperwork detail was looking more prophetic than precautionary. We brought five dirt bikes with us so each racer could preride his section or (stage) prior to race day. I had done some prerunning with other team members on my Honda CRF 230 and really enjoyed it, but this would be something entirely different. I donned my forehead flashlight, threw open my gear bag and began digging out my riding gear. I never realized how much of it was black. I never did find the gloves I was looking for. My helmet was not equipped with lights so Tim offered me his. Luckily it fit. The rider change location was the party spot of hundreds of Mexican spectators. Since we

through the starting ritual, the Honda XR 650 barked to life. The dark mob scene was replaced with light and noise from a sweaty steed, clearly more anxious to re-enter the race than I was to enter it. Tim approached me with a flashing The Baja 1000 is actually longer safety beacon than a 1,000 miles, over rough he zip-tied to roads and off road the length of the back of my the Baja Peninsula. chest protector. He told me it The Beast “might” keep the trucks also racing over the same course from I was ushered through the running over me in the dark and crowd to a motorcycle I had dust. I clunked the big Honda never sat on, then briefed about into gear and rode through the the electronics that were still parting crowd. working, and given a lesson on Heading north on Highway 53 starting the Beast. towards the town of La PuriAfter several practice runs sima, I tried to settle down and

were racing the Over-30 Expert Class, we had an early start position. The few bikes that had been there so far were high profile factory teams with 15-second rider changes. A sea of Mexican fans shouting all kinds of things, none of which were helping me get dressed, surrounded our van and bike.

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wrap my head around what had just happened. I estimated my speed as 55 mph. The GPS rally tracker on the back fender would notify race officials if we exceeded 60 mph on the few pavement sections of the course. This is one of the few rules regarding speed. As I tried to relax and make friends with the Costco-sized XR, a few things surprised me. First was the bike’s ergonomics. I was the smallest rider on the team and I felt cramped by the wide gas tank and low bars. It was awkward standing but well suited for sitting, which I did plenty of because the race fanny pack was too big in every way. Besides not being able to get it tight enough around my waist, it was very heavy. I was sure it must contain a spare crankshaft and snap-on rollaway toolbox. Out of desperation, I sat to rest its weight on the XR seat. Soon I began to worry about

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Just bring us the bike }}} Continued from previous page the course (where the hell was it?); for that matter, where was the town of La Purisma? I had been told it was just up the highway. This leads me to the next thing about Baja. Everything is further away and bigger than you expect. A few days earlier while pre-running with Brandon, we entered a section of moguls, or whoopdedoos, that lasted over 45 miles. Then the following day I went through an entire tank of gas, full throttle in sixth gear. I decided not to panic but to press on. Eventually rolling into La Purisma, I followed the only paved road through town and onto the course. Course markers were rare, especially near towns where locals steal them as souvenirs. Yet, the course — once I was off the pavement — was not hard to find because it’s been marked and open for practice by all racers for over a month. The trucks, motorcycles, buggies and ATVs had torn it up pretty good.

Getting comfortable Now settling into a comfortable pace, the ride became more about solitude. With town in the settling dust over my shoulder and spectator camps getting further apart, I

could get down to the business of racking up miles. The dirt roads were very rocky with many holes and sharp edges. My lights exposed them to me more than the wheels did. The sheer presence of the bike and quality of the suspension refused to acknowledge the brutal terrain below. One huge advantage to heavy bikes is their refusal to deflect or ricochet when they hit big holes. This is a welcome quality when riding slower is not really an option. Finally comfortable and gobbling up miles, my groove was interrupted by a truck coming up from behind. I began monitoring its progress to know when to let it pass. Trying to watch my back while negotiating rocky terrain at speed in the dark — not a good combo. After almost crashing several times, I decided being run over was better than crashing. It was very hard to tell how far back they were because their lights would illuminate whole sections of the desert 10 minutes before they caught me. The trucks were surprisingly civil when it was time to pass. They would sound a siren very audible over the truck and bike’s noise. But exiting the course in narrow rocky sections was not so fun, often leaving me on the ground shouting colorful superlatives.

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As soon as the dust settled enough to safely re-enter the course from one passing, there would be more headlights coming. My patience for the passing ritual ran out. Now it was “game on, catch me if you can.”

Lights out The most remarkable thing about the Baja Peninsula is the erosion, the result of flash floods and an annual road repair budget of $6 and 23 cents. When I say erosion, I don’t mean some meandering deep ruts, I mean whole sections of the road missing for 10 to 50 yards at a time. Most of these roads had not seen a grader since ’70s teen idol Peter Frampton topped the charts. After tipping over while negotiating a washed-out section of road, I found myself in complete darkness. Lacking the knowledge to perform a field repair on the elaborate lighting system, I did manage to restart my helmet lights. With some daylight appearing on the eastern horizon, I chose to press on with the limited light. After getting off course several times, I came to a harsh reality that if I were enjoying myself in any way I was probably off course.

Sunrise I continued east into the sunrise and onto the only course section I was familiar with, and

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Course markers were rare, especially near towns where locals steal them as souvenirs. the last place I wanted to be. The course became a sea of silt (or dust) beds 30 to 40 inches deep. Five days earlier, my own bike a Honda CRF 230 lacked the power and girth to maintain momentum through the dust. Now aboard the Beast things were much better. Well, things would have been much better were it not for a loose helmet light that kept wedging itself between my helmet and my neck brace. This locked my head to the left and erased my sense of balance. I eventually made friends with the silt beds by convincing myself it was just snow. The 650 was shining now. It forged forward under load for miles at a time refusing to bog down or respond to the terrain beneath. This raised my confidence and my speed until the hit.

The hit For the first time, the big Honda bottomed both ends and launched into the air. I never saw what I hit but lost control right away. Stopping for a quick inspec-

tion of the front wheel revealed that over half the spokes were broken. This left the wheel rubbing on the forks and flopping back and forth like a politician at a bipartisan debate. What followed next was the longest 12 miles of my life — riding the heavy 650 with the front wheel flopping from side to side and waiting for it to collapse was exhausting.

Fresh start Knowing my teammates would be waiting for me at the Loreto landfill, my spirits rose as I encountered more and more trash along the course. The landfill had to be getting close. Fellow racer Jim Thompson and support person Jim Stoker met me with open arms as I entered the landfill. I dismounted the damaged steed and staggered over to the truck to relieve myself. Somewhere in the night I lost my bashful bladder. In the midst of a crowd of strangers with rolling cameras and clicking cell phones, I let loose of what little hydration had made it through my system. As the two Jims tended to the more serious issues of the 650, I snacked and gathered info from the other racers about my next 100 miles. I would be returning to the west and crossing a mountain range 3,000 feet above sea level. An expert ATV quad racer gave me a point by point run-

Ed Therriault in a more peaceful moment during the Baja 1000.

down of the next section. This proved to be very helpful. He noted that a certain combination of ribbon markers meant “safe to go over 100 mph.” With a fresh wheel and a renewed spirit I was back in the race.

The hill This next section was pretty easygoing except for one rocky uphill stretch about four blocks long. I took one look at it and knew I had my work cut out for me. I pointed the 650 in the right direction, shifted up and held on like the third monkey on the

April 2011 | The Good Life

gangplank of Noah’s Ark. I’m sure to the ample gallery of spectators this looked more like 7.5 seconds on a prize bull. My first attempt left me threequarters of the way up, lying on my left ear in the bushes. I coasted back down to collect myself and restarted the run. By the time the flooded 650 and I crested that hill, I was as hot as I had ever been from dehydration and exhaustion. My body was starting to shut down. It was 10 a.m., about my sixth hour on the bike and I had not slept for 28 hours. Since this was an unscheduled ride, my food and water intake had not been sufficient for the task at hand. As the miles clicked by, I passed several mission villages with stone buildings, palm trees and clear running water. I had three river crossings that were two to three feet deep with clear running water; “I should have stopped and laid down in the water,” I thought.

The wall My remaining miles were declining but not as fast as my ability to ride the big Honda. My body hurt every place I made contact with the bike. But what troubled me most was the growing pain in my stomach. I told myself it was just the racer fanny pack because it was heavy and did not fit well. After three emergency stops to throw up (luckily never in

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Tim’s helmet), I was running out of muscle to start the 650. It required more kick than my leg could produce. So from then on I left it running at all times. Even at my compromised pace, I was amazed at the big name teams that were just then catching me. About this time I learned about the buggy drivers in the race. On a lonely stretch of road, a buggy scared the crap out of me by passing at over 100 mph. He did it with no warning and missed my left arm by only a foot or two.

Steamed up to finish Now fighting exhaustion and struggling to keep my eyes open, I spied a shade tree about two blocks from the course. After convincing a few cows to share the shade, I leaned the running bike against the tree and dropped to my hands and

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Just bring us the bike }}} Continued from previous page knees. I put my head on the ground and began to rock back and forth as if returning to some pre-birth rhythm in search for solace and comfort. I remember thinking if only I could close my eyes for just a few minutes. This was a bad idea for two reasons: 1) I may not wake up for hours, which would dash any hopes the team had of a respectable finish, and, 2) With so much of my body shutting down I may not wake up at all. I had felt God’s presence throughout the ride and had been praying for safety every mile. But at this moment I was truly against the wall. My mind was done, my spirit expired and my body 80 percent shut down. As my thoughts all ran together I heard Tim’s voice in my head

saying: “Just bring us the bike.” At that moment the impatient idling 650 boiled over and spilled water at the base of the tree. That snapped me to attention. I knew the 650 and I had to make one final push. I scrambled to my feet yelling like a kamikaze pilot making his final descent. Clunking the restless steed into gear I pointed west and took off. Re-entering the course I backed off only for blurred vision and the occasional turn.

Where’s my crew? Arriving at the rider change location, I couldn’t find my team. After a second disheartening parade lap through the pits, I rolled to a stop and let the bike stall.

A firefighter from San Diego approached me and offered assistance. His medical training made my condition obvious, so he helped me into a shaded lawn chair and started me on a cool orange electrolyte drink. He asked if I knew what day it was or where I was. I said, “It’s the wrong damn day.” The only info I could produce was my first name and the team name. Sending out a CB message, he discovered my team was three miles south on the highway. My firefighter buddy brought them up to speed on my condition and requested their presence. When the team arrived, I was ushered into the solitude of an empty air-conditioned pickup cab. I tried to collect myself as the bike and next rider were prepared for departure. What happened next I can’t really explain. But I would have to label it a complete emotional breakdown. In the privacy of that cool cab my head dropped into my hands and I wept un-

I scrambled to my feet yelling like a kamikaze pilot making his final descent. controllably for 10 minutes. It was over. They had the bike and I was done. With the next rider underway, we headed south in the chase vehicle for Cabo where we hoped to finish the race in six to eight hours.

The missing 3 hours After a brief conversation with team captain John, we were detoured to the hospital in Constitution so professionals could assess my condition. I was treated to some I.V. hydration and a three-hour nap. John, our team captain and closer, rolled the big Honda onto the finish platform some time around 7 p.m. We arrived in Cabo about 30 minutes later. The crowd and celebration was huge. Wives had flown in for the finish and there was much to party about. But all I wanted was a long shower and a soft bed. The next day we traded equipment and stories while I prepared to catch my flight to Seattle. We had covered 1,296 miles in 37 hours. We finished seventh out of 11 teams in the Over-30 Expert Class, and 121st overall out of 450 teams. I was glad to be part of the team and proud of them all, but the next time I’m in Mexico, the most dangerous thing I’m going to do is tee off over a water hazard with a new ball. Ed Therriault (pronounced Terrio) lives in Wenatchee with his wife Jill. They have three grown daughters and two grandchildren. He makes his living as an electrician with River View Electric and often writes about his two-wheeled adventures. He can be contacted at lightdesign@nwi.net.

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column moving up to the good life

june darling

Mr. Ed has the answers to motivation ‘OK, Mr. Ed, we are at the waterhole...’

fter you’ve led a horse to water, how can you make him drink? Teachers want to know, employers want to know, parents want to know, business owners want to know. We are all in the motivation business. The short answer is, ask the horse. Coaches take a simple and highly effective approach to motivation. They put the horse, “Mr. Ed,” in charge of figuring out and finessing his own motivation. They do this not by abandoning him, but by asking him questions aimed at uncovering his level of motivation as well as his motivational triggers. “Okay, Mr. Ed, here we are at the water. On a scale of one to ten (ten being high), how motivated are you to drink?” If Mr. Ed (the client) replies that he’s an eight, nine, or ten, we can pretty much wrap up the session and step aside. Mr. Ed is most likely able to move forward on his own. Most of the time, however, the client is not motivated at that high level. If he or she were, we probably wouldn’t be talking about it. Coach follow-up questions provoke clients to consider what it would take to increase their motivation to a place where action is likely to occur. “What would it take to increase your motivation from a six to an eight, Mr. Ed?” Questions like these allow others to become aware of their own motivational state in a way that makes sense and produces

increased clarity. The questions prompt clients to consider what arouses their volition as well as what hampers their spirits. They are challenged to figure out how to stoke their own internal fire. Some of the time clients will say they would feel more motivated if they felt they had the ability or resources — the intelligence, the necessary skills, the talent, the willpower, the money, the time, the confidence, the courage, the information, the structure to go forward. Occasionally they will say they need a bigger or better nudge — a good incentive, more encouragement, or accountability. Most of the time, however, most people say what they need in order to feel more motivated is simply to become more willing. Their willingness is a function of being able to view the action or task as more appealing, more

April 2011 | The Good Life

pleasant, more rewarding, more meaningful, more challenging, more important, or more relevant. The rest of the coaching conversation is about exploring what makes tasks feel appealing or rewarding to them. Clients find their own solutions to what will “make them drink” or move them to action in many forms. They may ask a friend to join them in doing parts of the task. They may conceive of how the task helps them develop skills that are useful. They may consider how the task contributes to a noble purpose like making others’ lives better. Mostly people can be moved to action by working with their resources, their external, and their internal motivation. This coaching approach is primarily aimed toward increasing intrinsic motivation and selfdetermination which are associated with sustained motivation, creativity, and higher quality performances. It’s worth your time as a parent, teacher, leader, or business person to learn how to do it proficiently. When you’re pretty sure it’s in Mr. Ed’s best interest to drink a little water, you don’t have to stand their helplessly and wait

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for him to get on with it. Neither do you need to digest complex theories of motivation and many more inscrutable motivational models with thousands of contradictory research studies. You can also put to bed your own erroneous personal pet theories and common folkore about punishing, pulling, enticing, and prodding poor Mr. Ed. Forget all the confusion and fuss aimed at finding the right technique to provoke Mr. Ed to action. Instead, just ask a couple of questions that allow Mr. Ed to take the reins. You’ll both be happier for it. What’s this all building up to? On a scale of one to ten, how motivated are you to finish that tax return? How might you move up to The Good Life by learning how to effectively motivate another? June Darling, Ph.D., is an executive coach who consults with businesses and individuals to achieve goals and increase happiness. She can be reached at drjunedarling@aol.com, or drjunedarling.blogspot.com or at her twitter address: twitter.com/ drjunedarling. Her website is www. summitgroupresources.com.

Just A Plain Natural Lodge home is a Medley of Wood, Glass and Stone Story by Susan Lagsdin Photos by Donna Cassidy

ill and Kathy Massey have been circling around this site and this house for a long time. They’ve enjoyed family vacations, especially snow-related ones, in the Leavenworth area since 1985 and over those years have built, refurbished and moved on from a series of

second homes best described as ranging from tiny to old. Even though their home base and Bill’s construction firm were on Whidbey Island, much time here was spent in progress on one getaway place or another. This 3,900-square-foot logslab structure on the river in Plain, completed last August, was no exception, but this is the keeper.

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A thousand feet from the road on 10 acres, with room to roam and all the warmth of home, this is the place that family and friends will keep coming to for a lifetime. The Masseys had a few rockbottom basic requirements for this house. It needed to be lodge style, to have room for family, to be oriented to the river — and they wanted all the materials

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to be variations on wood, tile, stone and glass. No sheetrock, no synthetics. Happily, prodigious utility would come from some aged maples Bill needed to clear off their Oak Harbor property — the golden planks from a longheld stockpile are all over the house. What’s evolved from their needs and their good ideas —

FAR LEFT: In front of the log house, with its shake-look steel roof, a hopeful young vineyard waits out the cold mist and snow of early March. MIDDLE: Several varieties of wood (out of nine used in the home) coincide where the kitchen, loft and great room join. Broad planks, engineered to seemingly float in space, lead up to the second story loft and balconied guest rooms. RIGHT: The bath in the especially private master suite is warmed by a slate-tiled raised fireplace, and enlivened by a graceful branch installed by Gary Espe. Below: Kathy’s favorite coffee spot in morning sunlight features a simple chair with a complex view. The more sumptuous leather seating gets plenty of use, too.

designed in 2006 and finished in 2010 — is a home with some atypical amenities, a great deal of creature comfort and surprising uses. Coming through the front door of the house, a visitor’s first and strongest impression is the cathedral-like reach of the great room ceiling; however, with well-conceived trim, panes, and

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Left: Owner and designer collaborated on the creative challenge of downscaling the tall river-facing windows for visual comfort. RIGHT: Kathy calls it the avocado — an attention catching green granite sink (and supporting woodform) in the main floor bathroom.

}}} Continued from previous page detailing on the tall windows, the eye is gentled, so that light, not height, prevails. Hand-hewn hickory floor planks from Maine in a burnished buckskin color cover the first floor. The Masseys liked the look of the exterior, so relatively late in the process they brought the

NCW Home Professionals

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same material (chinked log slabs laid over conventional two-bysix framing) into the living area as walls, and even the foundation’s rock face finds a match on a curve under the staircase. Those steps are an airy floating spiral of massive laminated timber plank. Naturally shaped, peeled tree branches form their whimsical railing. In the kitchen — which is sensibly sized and centered between great room and lowerceilinged family room — the strongest features are tigercolored granite countertops, hammered copper sinks and a door-sized golden maple island. (Kathy laughs, “I’ve told everybody — no cutting. This is not a cutting board!”) Hidden away are subtly sophisticated accoutrements: two dishwashers and the microwave, both drawer-style, a trash masher and a refrigerator masked by the alder cabinetry that faces the cupboards. The big Viking stove reigns as the recognizable appliance. The bathrooms, up, down and all around, are works of art, mostly in muted nature tones. Kathy’s good design eye created a rock and pebble stream flowing down one shower’s side, and tiles collected from travels please the eye in unexpected places. Traditional old side tables are opened up and topped with

LEFT: The master suite’s calming colors and natural materials are congruent with the tree theme on this glass entry door made by Teri Zimmerman. RIGHT: Kathy Massey and interior designer Candice Hendrickson try out the new but well-stocked wine cellar, which should be a cool retreat on a hot summer’s evening. Candice, who helped the Masseys make many interior choices, owns the Leavenworth interior design firm Warm Elements.

granite or wood to hold necessities. Copper wainscoting, aggregate river rock, unique granite basins, sleek slate floors, hand-trimmed mirrors, even barn-door openings (silent, easy sliders) add character. Upstairs, a loft with soft seating and an entertainment center overlooks the first floor, and bedrooms — wood-walled and furnished in old Yellowstonestyle splendor — are graced with balconies facing the river. There’s even additional sleeping space (with a tiny motel-style kitchen and a foosball table) above the garage, just a wing away from downstairs and easy to access up a big plank staircase. Just under the main floor but a world away is the wine room, a much-desired (and much resketched) “away room” a short flight of stairs down to cool floors and dark walls, a boatlike space with its low curved mahogany ceiling. If the climate and good luck prevail, perhaps some day a few of the experimental grapevines that Bill has planted on an open slope will provide wine to sip at the big barrel table. Guests are happy here at the Massey house, and Bill and Kathy are happy to have them — even when the owners are away. Kathy says, “The kids’ college-

age guests are the best — they do chores, clean up, lock up, leave everything in perfect condition.” Grandkids fill the spare rooms comfortably. And a family with husband and dad about to leave for the Middle East gratefully spent a memorable week-

end at the home, unencumbered with owners. There’s a big secret to their adept and almost invisible hosting. Just across the way from the great room, out a glassed door and across a walkway, is one small structure that houses

not the guest quarters, but the luxuriously furnished master bedroom suite. The Masseys don’t claim the main house when they come to live in Plain. They find comfort and privacy in a Zen-like compound with bedroom and bath, walled in taupe rice paper, sparsely furnished, coffee pot and fireplace and big soaking tub intact, just a step away from their always welcomed family, friends and acquaintances.

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good STUFF // Ideas for the home

Red Rooster co-owner Nils Riise demonstrates a pull-string operated veggie chopper: “Put in quarters of tomatoes and onions, and then half a dozen pulls later, you have salsa.” ABOVE is a meat tenderizer. A pump creates a vacuum in the plastic bowl, speeding up the absorption process. “Place the meat and tenderizer in here when you come home from work, and you can barbecue the meat tonight,” he said. ABOVE RIGHT: Speaking of speed, rather than waiting for a hour or so to let wine breathe, the Vinturi Airator mixes air and wine for immediate enjoyment.

Save time, energy and money. The Simple Steps, Smart Savings retail promotion provides: • Instant savings on ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) • Instant savings on energy-saving showerheads • A variety of energy-efficient product options

Choose. Use. Save.

Visit www.chelanpud.org to learn more and to locate a participating retailer. Offer valid while supplies last. Limit two showerheads per household. Yo 1936

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www.SimpleStepsNW.com

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Not just for tourists “We want to carry local food products — something unique that you will not find at a grocery store,” said Christina Goehner-Robles, who is co-owner of Smallwood’s Harvest in Peshastin along with founder Mike Smallwood. “Try these, they are so yummy,” she said, pouring a handful of Golden Caramel Corn Nuggets, bagged especially for Smallwood’s. To people in cars zipping along the highway between Wenatchee and Leavenworth, Smallwood’s is the place with the animal petting zoo, tractors outside, greenhouses and farm activities for all ages — “Farm fun in the country sun” was the original motto. Inside, though, along with fruit there are hundreds of different products, from apple butter to wines. On a busy day, some 200 items are available to taste. “You could have lunch here with wine to go with it,” said Christina with a smile. An addition since last June is Red Rooster Culinary Supply Co., a 300-square-foot gourmet kitchen boutique under the Smallwood’s roof aimed at customers who like home entertaining and gadgets. “Our focus is on fun products you can use in your kitchen to enhance the cooking experience,” said Nils-Erik Riise, who owns the shop with his wife, Jana. Plans for warmer weather include expanding onto the front porch with barbecues and tools for the outdoor dining experience.

April 2011 |

AT HOME WITH The Good Life

Christina GoehnerRobles: A large variety of food products and expanding selection of gifts for the home.

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column THE TRAVELing DOCTOR

jim brown, m.d.

Drink some water, your body will love you How long can one survive

without water? In part it depends on the current ambient temperature. At a temperature of 100 degrees, a person can live on average only up to five days without water. At cooler temperatures around 50 degrees survival can be up to 10 days. This is in part due to the increased water loss through sweating in the heat. Survival rates without food have been shown to vary from 48 to 73 days. One young Haitian man was pulled from the rubble after being buried for 27 days following last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s horrific earthquake. Though he was severely dehydrated and malnourished, the fact that he lived was miraculous under those conditions. His survival seemed to defy medical knowledge. As it turned out, he was buried in an area where vendors sold water and fruit, and he was able to find some water and eat some fruit (which is high in water content) during his ordeal. This allowed him to survive. Our bodies are made up of roughly 70 percent water. We need a minimum of two quarts of clean water daily. In very hot conditions and in very cold con-

ditions, we need more. In the heat we sweat, and in cold, dry air, we loose more water through respiration. These losses increase when we are exercising in these conditions. For most adults not participating in heavy, strenuous exercises, our thirst mechanism keeps us in normal water balance. For those who exercise more strenuously, including long distance runners, bikers and participants in sports like soccer and basketball, it is necessary to hydrate before participating. It is best to start the hydration from two to four hours prior to and during the activity. If one hydrates extensively immediately before exertion, inevitably a bathroom break will be necessary fairly soon. When I was a medical student in Chicago after my sophomore year, I had a summer research job at Cook County hospital studying the effects of rapid water loading on fasting volunteers and comparing the results of intravenous versus oral water loading. We found out that the response was about the same. Within 15 minutes, the water load from either source was being rapidly filtered through the kidneys, filling the bladder and requiring the patients to urinate

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quite soon after the water was given. Water loss is increased considerably during episodes of prolonged diarrhea. Cholera is the most feared diarrheal illness because of its severity. Death can occur within hours of infection. The result is tremendous fluid lost from the upper small intestine, which overwhelms the absorptive ability of our colon. Fortunately, cholera is relatively uncommon in the western hemisphere. The October 2010 cholera epidemic in Haiti was its first such epidemic in the last century. By Dec. 13, 112,320 cases had been reported with 2,478 deaths. Without rapid fluid replacement, generally intravenously, cholera causes rapid and severe dehydration and death in half of those infected, particularly in pregnant women and children. Not taking in adequate fluid, especially water, can lead to mild dehydration. The result can be fatigue, poor work performance and slowing of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cognitive ability. Drinking water can also reduce our hunger drive and is useful in dieting. To reduce our appetite and food intake, it is recommended that we drink a glass of water before meals. Fruits and berries contain a lot of water. Meats, dry foods and salty foods tend to be dehydrating; therefore, it is important to drink more fluids when eating these foods. What about coffee and alcohol? Our pituitary gland releases a hormone called the antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which acts on the kidney when we are dehydrated. When we are dehydrated, ADH tells our kidneys to decrease our urination, preserv-

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ing water. Alcohol and caffeinated beverages do the opposite, especially alcohol. They block the release of ADH from the pituitary, causing the kidneys to increase urination and that aggravates dehydration. Coffee and alcohol are not good fluids to drink when you are in need of hydration. Another concern with fluid balance and dehydration has to do with the elderly. As people age into those elderly years, they have a decrease in total body water, a decrease in their thirst response, a decrease in muscle mass and a decease in overall food and water intake. In addition, there is a redistribution of our fat to our abdomen, upper arms and thighs. These changes are part of the aging process, but they can be delayed by lifestyle changes, particularly those that involve regular exercise. It has been shown in studies that elderly people living in assisted living and nursing homes are grossly under hydrated. They rarely consume more than half the fluids daily needed to support cellular and organ health. Is it any wonder they may experience chronic fatigue and increased cognitive impairment? All those involved in caring for the elderly need to be encouraging adequate fluid intake for these people. I encourage you to keep exercising and keep hydrated to continue living the good life. Jim Brown, M.D., is a semi-retired gastroenterologist who has practiced for 38 years in the Wenatchee area. He is a former CEO of the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center.

column GARDEN OF DELIGHTS

bonnie orr

Eating greens from the yard & garden N

o wonder our paper money is green. Green is a comfort color, and it was the color of survival until the mid-19th Century when food could be easily stored and transported. During the winter, people’s diets lacked fresh, leafy foods filled with essential vitamins and minerals. The first greens were eaten eagerly in March or early April. Greens were so important the Pilgrims brought dandelions with them to make the life-saving spring tonics. That plant and dozens of others were introduced to North America for their health and medicinal benefits. In the early spring in NCW, we can harvest not only the tender dandelion leaves and wild garlic for salads but also asparagus, sorrel, bitter cress, chickweed and watercress. Just a few fresh herbs can perk up a salad made from grocery store offerings. The evergreen, salad burnet, can even be dug from the snow to add to your salad. This cucumber–scented herb spreads readily from seed and is essential to any herb garden. It is also a world traveler carried by English settlers wherever in the world they settled. It is high in vitamin C, and that is probably the reason it was planted on South Georgia Island, a 19th Century whaling station. It was in bloom when I saw it in December, the Austral summer. Grow it as a garden border or as a ground cover. This herb is delicious raw in salads or sprinkled as a garnish as you would parsley over scrambled eggs, and the like.

A salad of traditional greens will stimulate any palette; dandelion, wild garlic, sorrel, bitter crest, chickweed, salad burnet and watercress.

Very Green Soup

Inspired by Please to the Table by Bremzen and Welchman Prep time: 10 minutes; cooking time: 3-4 minutes This sorrel and spinach soup can be eaten either hot or cold. It is a very thick soup with lots of herbs and a tangy taste. INGREDIENTS 4 cups chicken stock — homemade is always best 2 tablespoons flour 2 cups sorrel leaves, with the center vein removed 1 cup spinach leaves, with the center rib removed 2 large green onions chopped 2 tablespoons fresh dill or 1 tablespoon dried dill 4 tablespoons chopped cilantro 3 tablespoons chopped mint 1 cup yogurt OR 1 cup sour cream — not fat-free Salt and Pepper to taste Chopped chives or paprika to garnish

Before the dandelion plant blooms the leaves are tender and sweet. They are bitter when the April 2011 | The Good Life

DIRECTIONS 1. Mix the flour into the chicken stock and bring it to a boil. The flour will prevent the soup from separating. 2. Chop the spinach and sorrel leaves in the food processor. Leave them chunky rather than blending them to mush. 3. Add the vegetables to the boiling chicken stock. Turn the heat down to simmer. After 3 minutes stir in the yogurt and sour cream. Heat until hot all the way through but do not boil again.

flowers form. You can blanch the larger leaves of the more mature plant to make them tender www.ncwgoodlife.com

enough for a salad made with bacon and vinaigrette. Upturn a large flowerpot over a large clump of dandelions for a week or 10 days. Then harvest and enjoy. Sorrell, a lemony-tasting herb, comes up early in the spring and makes a delicious complement to a salad or a creamy soup. If you remove the mid-vein and cook the leaves in a little chicken stock and a tablespoon of butter for five minutes, then whirl it in the food processor, it makes a lovely sauce for poached eggs or for a tomato and egg salad. And, as long as we are speaking of greens, my mission this year is to release salads from their captivity in the refrigerator. The storing of salads in the refrigeration is a recent innovation — starting about 60 years ago — and has destroyed the taste for most salad eaters. I suspect the salads served in the restaurants are made in the afternoon for convenience and speed. Because they are cold, they have no taste. You do not have to make your salad hours ahead for the convenience of the waitstaff. Do your salads a favor and release them from the cold and dark — your taste buds will thank you. The cruelest irony is when people go to the garden, pick fresh greens for their guests, wash them and then stick them in the cold! They are soft and succulent and subtle at sun temperature. Try it this summer. Bonnie Orr gardens and cooks in East Wenatchee.

column ALEX ON WINE

ALEX SALIBY

Barrel tasting blends wine with passion March is the month of mad-

ness if you’re a college basketball fan. It’s also the month of madness for us because we drive to Cupertino, CA., annually to join friends at the Ridge Winery’s Cupertino facility for barrel tasting. March is our time to taste the new vintage components destined for blending into the Ridge Winery’s Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon of the future. We tasted the wine on March 5; it will not be shipped until the first weekend in March of 2013. We’ve been attending that event for over a decade now, but our history with the Ridge Winery and their Monte Bello vineyards goes back more than

40 years to a time when the winery was named BCRZ Winery in the mid 1960s. CEO and chief winemaker Paul Draper joined the firm shortly after BCRZ was sold and the name changed to Ridge, about 1962. He blazed new trails in the California Zinfandel fields earning the nickname Mr. Zinfandel early on in his employment. But he put the winery, and himself somewhat, on the honor roll of world class acts with his 1973 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon. That wine took third place at the now famous (or infamous if you’re a French wine writer from that era) judging in Paris, the wine judging in which California wines clobbered the French wines in blind tastings. Paul’s 1973 wine then drove the final nail in the coffin of the French wine superiority by finishing first in the repeat judging held 30 years later. The win proved new world wines could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the old world patriarchs, both fresh out of the barrel and after a few decades in the cellar. The Ridge Collector’s Club, as the March event is formally called, is my idea of exactly how a barrel tasting ought to be conducted.

We arrived and as usual were checked in to ensure that we were supposed to be there. We were then treated to a taste of the Monte Bello Ridge estategrown fruit 2008 Chardonnay, a delightfully rich and slightly creamy wine showing signs of having undergone secondary fermentation in new oak barrels. This however is the prelude to the real program. The Chardonnay is poured outside, under cover of a roof if it is raining, but it isn’t inside the room with the real star of the day. The main tent, a large room in a sort of barn-like building, is reserved for the host of honor, the Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon. Stationed around the room are small bars that appear to be portable. At the first station, friendly and knowledgeable employees poured tastes, first of the 2010 Merlot, then of the 2010 Cabernet Franc. At the second station, we were treated to tastes of the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon and then the 2010 Petit Verdot, again, separately. Then, across the room, chief winemaker Paul Draper poured tastes of the 2010 blend as he and his assistant winemaker, Eric Brough, envision the final blend. They are both quick

to make the point, however, that this is only the first pass at the final blend and that the 2010 blend might change come midMay when the blending decision is finalized. Following that hint of what to expect in the coming 2010 bottle in March of 2013, Eric then poured tastes of the 1992 Ridge Monte Bello Cab into our glasses. We finished tasting that and then, when we were ready, Eric offered us tastes of the 2008 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet, the wine being released and delivered to the collectors that day at the event. It wasn’t just the quality of the wines and the foods that make this a special event, although those elements certainly add to the overall success. But, the event lives and breathes the vitality of the winery team members who work each station. These are energized people who have a genuine interest in passing their knowledge on to all in attendance. There’s that and the delightful opportunity to make your own blend. That’s right, after we visit each of the component stations and have tasted Paul and Eric’s 2010 blend, we get to revisit each station and build our own version of the Ridge Monte Bello Cab to come. We’ll return next year, and for as many years as we are capable of making the trip. This is not a wine tasting, it’s a gathering of friends and family at an annual reunion. Alex Saliby is a wine lover who spends far too much time reading about the grapes, the process of making wine and the wines themselves. He can be contacted at alex39@msn. com.

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| April 2011

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Two Rivers Art Gallery, 4/1, 5 p.m. Second anniversary reception. Music by guitarist Kirk Lewellen, wine and refreshments. Meet local artists, see their latest creations and get a chance to win an original painting by Walter Graham. Info: www.2riversgallery.com. Gallery 4 South, 4/1, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Voted Wenatchee World’s Best Art Gallery opens with Jennifer Evenhus paintings. Evenhus is a native and resident of East Wenatchee. Her work has earned

her the national recognition of Pastel Society of America, Master Pastelist. Her painting’s original points of view make the work distinctive, and the abstracts are reduced to essential elements. The exhibit opens April 1 during the First Friday ArtWalk with an artist reception and hors d’oeuvres. Exhibit runs until April 29. Gallery 4 South, 4 South Wenatchee Ave. Info: 470-7714 or gallery4south@gmail.com Foolish Things, 4/1, 5 p.m. Exhibit in honor of April Fool’s Day. Refreshments. Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Cost: free. Info: www.wvmcc.org. Earthmusic: Pacific Rims Percussion Quartet in Concert,

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4/1, 7:30 p.m. The resplendence and mystery of the natural world is the theme for this Springtime Concert. Featuring Pacific Rim’s Percussion Quartet; Oksana Ezhokina and Lisa Bergman, pianists. Featured winery: Rio Vista Wines, Winery on the River, Chelan. Canyon Wren Concert Hall, 7409 Icicle Rd, Leavenworth. Ticketing through www. brownpapertickets.com or toll free 1-800-838-3006. John Reischman and the Jaybirds, 4/1, 7:30 p.m. A night of bluegrass. Canyon Wren Recital Hall, Leavenworth. Cost: $26 advance tickets or $28 at door. Info: 548-6347.

Author Kenn Nesbitt, 4/2, 1 p.m. Book signing, More Bears. A Book For All Seasons, Leavenworth. Cost: free. The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Show, 4/2, 2 & 7 p.m. Jamie’s Rock & Roll Legends presents the Ultimate Tribute Artist winner, Justin Shandor. The 2 p.m. show will feature Justin performing ’50s and ’60s Elvis songs. The 7 p.m. show will feature Justin performing the ’70s Elvis era. Performing Arts Center. Cost: $25 - $45. Info: www. pacwen.org. Trail Work Party, 4/5 and every Tuesday thru the end of June, 4:30

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}}} Continued from previous page p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Come and get your hands dirty with the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust at a trail work party and help take care of the trails we are all so fortunate to enjoy. Bring gloves and hand tools and wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing. RSVP 667-9708 or tduffey@ cdlandtrust.org.

Wenatchee Blues Jam, 4/7, 8 p.m. Open blues jam every first Thursday of the month. Grizzly Lounge in the Red Lion Hotel, 1225 N. Wen. Ave. Info: Tomasz Cibicki 669-8200. International Choral Festival, 4/9, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Leavenworth Village Voices host this year’s festival concert. Seven choirs will entertain. Info: leavenworthvillagevoices.org. Family ArtVentures, 4/9, 10 a.m. Wenatchee artist Lisa Robinson

will guide participants in making puppets. Materials provided. Wenatchee Valley Museum. Cost: $5 adults, $2 kids. Registration: 888-6240. The Magic of Ireland, 4/9, 7:30 p.m. The mysticism and enchantment of the Emerald Isle live on stage captured through an evening of traditional music, song and dance. The show brings to the stage traditional Irish and Celtic music filled with fast and graceful dance steps, authentic music and enchanting songs, enhanced with traditional Irish and Celtic instruments. Performing Arts Center. Cost: $33.50. Info: www.pacwen. org. Awards Gala and Silent Auction, 4/9, 6 p.m. Delicious hors d’oeuvres and regional wines will be served at the museum’s Awards Gala. A wide variety of silent auction items will be available to bid on, and awards will be presented including the Wenatchee Valley Living Treasure, Volunteer of the Year and Dick Bell Memorial Award. Admission price includes two drink tickets. The event is a fundraiser for the museum, with proceeds going toward main floor exhibit renovation. Wenatchee Valley Museum. Cost: $25. Info: www. wenatcheewa.gov. Tom Landa & Kalissa Hernandez, 4/9, 7 p.m. From the awardwinning band The Paperboys, this duo provides amazing entertainment. All the favorite Paperboys tunes as the fiddle accompanies the guitar, while pure vocals blend at this intimate riverside venue. Adults only. River Haus in the Pines, 9690 East Leavenworth Rd. Leavenworth. Cost: advanced tickets $35 include dessert. Info: info@riverhausinthepines.com or 548-9690. Children’s Concert: Music and Movement, 4/10, 2 p.m. Music educator Jill Larson will join the Icicle Creek Piano Trio to a special children’s concert. Featuring Jill Larson, narrator. Refreshments provided by the Marlin Handbell Ringers. Canyon Wren Concert Hall, 7409 Icicle Rd, Leavenworth. Ticketing through www.brownpapertickets.com or toll free 1-800838-3006 . Cooking: Straight from the heartland, 4/12, 5:30 p.m. Start with Midwesterners corn chowder, then a couple of those down home salads, macaroni salad and a wild rice salad, then on to a main dish of pork chops with an apple and onion

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The Mystery of King Tut plays at 6:30 p.m. April 18 at the Performing Arts Center. This musical aimed at children tells the stories of the “boy king” who ruled Egypt in the 14th century B.C. and Howard Carter, the archeologist who made him famous by discovering his tomb in 1922.. Info: www.pacwen.org. gravy over sour cream and cheddar smashed potatoes. Finish with a light helping of apple pie. Ivy Wild Inn, 410 N Miller. Cost: $40. Info: theivywildinn.com. Chelan-Douglas Land Trust Spring Social, 4/15, 7 p.m. Meet others who care about conserving the natural heritage of this beautiful region. An evening of desserts, coffee and lively conversation. Cashmere Riverside Center, 201 Riverside Dr. RSVP 667-9708. Info: www.cdlandtrust.org. Rock ’n’ Rowl for Kids Bowla-thon, 4/16, noon – 9 p.m. The Chelan Douglas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program is holding its annual Rock n’ Rowl for Kids Bowl–a-thon. This community event raises funds and awareness for the CASA program which trains community volunteers to advocate for abused children within Chelan and Douglas Counties. Volunteers spend their time to protect vulnerable children and promote their well-being. Info: www.cdcasa. org. Northern Departure in Concert, 4/16, 7:30 p.m. From just over the mountain, this Seattlebased group delivers a solid, high

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energy, traditional sound that is sure to tickle your bluegrass ears. Cashmere Riverside Center; 201 Riverside Drive, Cashmere. Cost: $3 at the door, “Pass the Hat” for musicians with a suggested donation of $8 to $11. Info: 548-1230 or www.CashmereCoffeehouse.com. Arbor Day Tree Distribution Event, 4/16, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Walla Walla Point Park. The following are 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Cashmere: Cliffords Hardware. Leavenworth: Fish Hatchery, Entiat: City Hall. Manson: Grange Hall. Orondo: Market Place. Volunteers are sought to help wrap the trees for distribution from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, 4/14, at Ballard Ambulance, 1028 North Wenatchee Ave. There will be door prizes and pizza. Bring gloves and wear a jacket and shoes good for standing for several hours at a time. Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra Concert, 4/16, 7 p.m. Wenatchee native Kara Hunnicutt will be featured on Lalo’s Cello Concerto and the orchestra will be featured in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol. Wenatchee High School Auditorium. Tickets at the Performing Arts Center of Wenatchee Box Office or at the door. Info: wenatcheesymphony. org. Chelan Nouveau – Spring Wine Release, 4/16 – 4/17 & 4/23 – 4/24. The boutique wineries of the Lake Chelan Wine Growers Association will celebrate the release of “nouveau” (new) white and rosé wines. Visitors to the wineries will experience the first of the spring releases including traditional favorites like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir Rosé, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Riesling, Gewurtraminer and blends including Edelzwicker. Live entertainment, tours and other special events can be found at many Lake Chelan wineries. Info: www.cometothelake.com. Leavenworth Ale-Fest, 4/16, 2 p.m. – 10 p.m. A fundraiser for the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum. It’s truly “An-ale-of-a-party.” Must be 21 and over. Leavenworth Festhalle. Cost: $20 advance tickets or $25 at the door. Info: info@leavenworthalefest.com.

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The Art Life

// SKETCHES OF LOCAL ARTISTS

Dance, sing and laugh like the hawaiians do M

omi Palmieri, of Leavenworth, first name fittingly pronounced like MOMA, the art museum, not “mommy,” frankly answers two other unasked questions. Yes, she’s a white woman of Celtic descent. No, she was not born and raised in Hawaii. But for half of her life (“70 amazing years,” she declares — another question out of the way), she has committed herself body and soul to Hawaiian culture. She exudes her love of hula, which embodies aloha, and she’s made it her mission to live and teach both, undoing the post-WWII stereotypes many of us grew up with. “Aloha” means not just hello or goodbye, but loving and caring for one another, in harmony with malama, the preservation of the land and all living things. And “hula” is not grass skirts, hips and arms all swaying Hollywood style, but a dance that evokes the ancient spiritual wisdom of Hawaiian island culture, full of movement and story and laughter. A constant learner herself, Momi offers regular Hawaiian dance lessons at the Leavenworth senior center for “my babies, those wonderful young dancers… my kaikamahine,” she says with pride, as well as for adult women, many of whom have evolved from insecurity into hula dancers “trusting themselves… full of relaxed grace.” Soon, she’ll teach hula in her first Wenatchee Valley College Continuing Education class. Momi’s cozy home in a downtown side street is a “Bavarian Beach House,” with palpable April 2011 | The Good Life

Momi Palmieri: Her voice sends the sounds of traditional Hawaiian chant dancing through the ponderosa forest. Photo by Reed Carlson

Hawaiian ambience, all tropical colors, fabrics, and artifacts, the white walls checkerboarded with framed paintings and prints of Hawaii. Dozens of photographs from 1976 to now chronicle her journey. Raised in Ohio, and after a Southern California sojourn, she took a serendipitous trip to the islands and landed in the middle of a new life. At 37, with two sons, no dance background, and no ancestral ties to the islands, Momi was atypically and very quickly inculcated into dance culture at the revered Halau Mohala ‘Ilima (school) in Kailua, soon becoming an ‘olapa (dancer) and peer of her mentor, performing in ceremonies and festivals, then teaching her own classes in Hawaii and the mainland. Fourteen years ago, a brief visit to her son convinced her to www.ncwgoodlife.com

stay in Leavenworth and become a real Tutu (grandmother) of three young boys. She’s adopted northern latitude, mainland ways. She fosters and places rescued Alaskan Malamute dogs (Momi declares, “They give me far more than I give them… I belong in their pack.”), and she has forged a career in real estate sales in the Wenatchee Valley area. But Hawaiian dance — authentic, sensuous and spiritual, continues to shape her life. Her great pleasure comes from mentoring other Hawai’i devotees, teaching her classes, and performing dances that make people smile and feel the island music, dances that move them to tears of joy. You can read more about Momi, her classes and Hawaiian dance at www.momip.com. —by Susan Lagsdin

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}}} Continued from previous page Garage-a-rama Extravaganza, 4/16, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. New products at garage sale prices! Great deals on new clothing, table toppers, patio furniture, gourmet food, kitchen gadgets, sports apparel and lots of shoes. Participating merchants: Lake Chelan Sports, Riverwalk Books, Shirt Shop, Swim World, Willow and more. Sidewalk sale in downtown Chelan. Info: www.cometothelake.com. 12th Annual Gold and Treasure Show, 4/16, 9 .m. - p.m. 4/17, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. See the latest in prospecting supplies, rock hound supplies, metal detectors, dredge equipment and sluice boxes. Learn how to pan for gold, see a real dredge in operation and choose from a large selection of gold and silver jewelry. Door prizes, raffle prizes and food. Chelan County Fairgrounds Cashmere. Cost: $3, children 12 & under free. Info: 8846940. Wenatchee Marathon, 4/16, 6:30 a.m. Four events for runners and walkers: a marathon, marathon relay, a half-marathon and a 10K. In these events, you will find a scenic, traffic-free course featuring apple blossoms, snow-capped mountains and the Columbia River. (Due to course restrictions, no wheelchairs or jogging strollers permitted.) Info: wenatcheemarathon.com. Entiat Kite Festival, 4/17, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Kite flying, food and music. Paper kites will be available for all ages to construct, decorate and fly. Prizes awarded. Kiwanis Park along Highway 97A. Info: Alan Moen 784-5101 or Michelle Finchum at 784-0680.

The Mystery of King Tut, 4/18, 6:30 p.m. A Van Doren Sales Children’s Series Event, this musical tells the stories of the “boy king” who ruled Egypt in the 14th century B.C. and Howard Carter, the archeologist who made him famous by discovering his tomb in 1922. While Carter’s story unfolds, the “spirit” of a young boy in golden garments appears onstage, and the suspenseful tale of Tut’s own struggles against politics and betrayal begins. Performing Arts Center. Cost: $13 to $17 with a running time of 60 minutes and appropriate for grades 2 – 9. Info: Sarah Wilkins at 665-9096 or at sarahw@pacwen.org. Environmental Film Series Eating Alaska, 4/19, 7 p.m. An Alaskan vegetarian married to a fish hunter decides to find out where the food on our plates comes from. Following the screening, Mark Oswood of NCW Audubon will speak briefly and answer questions. Audubon will offer a sampling of Alaskan foods, possibly including reindeer sausage. Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center. Cost: suggested $5 donation. Info: www.wvmcc.org. Gourmet Spring Brunch Cooking Class, 4/21, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Chef Richard Kitos will cook omelets and frittatas, scones, sweet potato hash browns, eggs Benedict on Quinoa Vegetable Cake. Culinary Apple, downtown Chelan. Cost: $50. Info: info@theapplestore.net. Chelan Earth Day Fair, 4/23, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Crafts, flea market, buy, sell or trade. Live music, gardening composting info, big plant sale, information on recycling, diesel and electric vehicles, solar and renewable energy and energy conservation. Chelan Riverwalk Park. Cost: free. Info: cometothelake. com.

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Easter Egg Hunt, 4/23, noon. Don Morse Park in Chelan. The Manson Grange will also host an Easter Egg Hunt at the Manson Grange at 10 a.m. Cost: free. Info: cometothelake.com. Memorial Park Food Fair, 4/18 – 5/6, 11 a.m. More than 25 food booths kick off the Apple Blossom Festival. Live music daily during lunch and dinner hours. Corner of Chelan and Orondo Aves. Pediocactus Wildflower Walk, 4/23, 8:30 a.m. – noon. The Native Plant Society and the Land Trust invite you to discover the beautiful pediocactus with Derby Canyon Natives owner Ted Alway. The pediocactus blooms in early spring and is a spectacular burst of color in the thin, rocky soil (lithosol). RSVP 6679708 or Kathy@cdlandtrust.org. Simple and elegant dinner with friends, 4/26, 5:30 p.m.

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Begin with a easy appetizer with great flavor, vegetable and potato samosa and red chili dipping sauce, then sit down for dinner with a Moroccan style lentil bean soup topped with smoked paprika dusted shrimp, then a light salad, main course will be cardamom and honey glazed roasted chicken over a fluffy white rice pilaf, and finish with Gilligan’s favorite coconut cream pie. Ivy Wild Inn, 410 N Miller. Cost: $40. Info: theivywildinn.com. The Drowsy Chaperone, A smart, zany, old fashioned musical comedy for the whole family. Music and lyrics by Lisa and Greg Morrison. Directed by Dina Toevs. Performances are April 28-30, May 5-7, 12-14, & 19-21 at 7:30 p.m. and May 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. All performances will be at the Riverside Playhouse in Wenatchee. Ticket info: www. pacwen.org or 663-ARTS.

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Carnival, 4/29 - 5/5, 5:30 p.m. Carnival rides open weekdays 5 p.m. during Apple Blossom. Weekends open at noon. Beach ‘N Fly-In, 4/30 – 5/1. Hang glider/paraglider spot landing contest on the beach of Lakeside Park, if the wind and lake level allow; alternative landing area is the Chelan Falls soccer field park if the lake level is too high for safe landing. Cost: free. Info: cometothelake. com. Youth Parade, 4/30, 11 a.m. Over 4,500 youth participate in this parade staging at Triangle Park, travels down Orondo, turns left on Mission to Fifth Street, Wenatchee. Corvette Rally & Cruise, 4/30, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Register at Dusty’s Inn-Out and cruise at 10:30 a.m. Info: John Kalahar 665-9505. Super Oval Season Opener, 4/30, 3:30 p.m. Time trials at 5 p.m., racing at 6 p.m. Cost: $16 adults, $12 students and seniors, $4 Child 6-12, under 6 free. Plant Sale 4/30, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Master Gardener Association annual fundraiser featuring xeric plants plus other perennials specifically selected for our gardening zone. Vegetable plants including heirloom tomatoes and herbs will be available. WSU Chelan County Master Gardeners will answer gardening questions and guide plant selection. GESA Credit Union parking lot, 1005 N Wenatchee Ave. WINE-APPLE-OOSA, 5/7, 1-5 p.m.  Enjoy live music at the fountain outside the PAC and taste Wenatchee wines in the wine garden after Apple Blossom’s Grand Parade. $20 per person.     2011 WRITE ON THE RIVER CONFERENCE, 5/13-5/15. This conference caters to writers of all experience levels and goals with a keynote address by New York Times best-selling thriller author, Chelsea Cain; 11 interactive Saturday workshops; one-on-one and small group editor appointments; a teen-specific workshop; and a halfday intensive Sunday novel-writing workshop given by New York Times bestselling author and West Point graduate, Bob Mayer. Cost: From $40 to $140. Info: writeontheriver. org or (509) 860-7751.

The Art Life

// SKETCHES OF LOCAL ARTISTS

Communicating commercial ideas with a sense of art

rad Fitzgerald, East Wenatchee graphic designer, has been making art for three decades. His first crayoned purple circles on a wall were a strong clue to his parents that this baby in their midst could grow into a visual artist. By third grade he was selling original “Super Knights” comic books and later adorned his room with eightfoot superhero posters, homedesigned likenesses of Batman, X-men, et al. Traveling to Germany, Japan and Italy as his father taught in military schools, Brad continued doing art, and chose small, private Harding College in Arkansas to formalize his education. He almost strayed, recalling, “I started in pre-med, my only year — ever — not to take art. When I took my first college drawing class, I thought, ‘Oh, much better.’” In a conversation about art, craft, idea and function, Brad points to a framed thesis, a definition of graphic art he defended en route to his college degree: “The communication of an idea produced with aesthetics in mind.” Working in a visualsbased commercial world, he’s proud to maintain that balance of art and marketing. Brad, who moved to the area in 2005, is one of only a half dozen professional graphic designers here, so he creates art and text for a wide variety of clients. Most readers have seen his artwork in public print as logos (“identity design”), newsletters, advertisements, brochures, posters, cards and event tee-shirts. April 2011 | The Good Life

Brad Fitzgerald: Art for the commercial world.

‘In the flow … I lose all sense of time and zone into what I’m doing.” Brad, 29, mostly works beyond the print medium; he is also fast and fluent in the competitive world of website development and now its cyber-extension: applications for desktops, the iPhone and the iPad. Whether it’s for a local arts group or a national account, Brad uses the parameters of his client’s preconceptions to push his own imagination, and then when he’s involved in a project he says he often finds pleasure “in the flow … I lose all sense of time and zone into what I’m doing.” He works from his home office, a silent and spare room where calming blue-gray walls exhibit a discrete sampling of past projects and ideas. His main workstation, uncluttered, features a 24-inch iMac with a dual monitor, a 9-inch by 12-inch Wacom tablet, and of course, he adds, “a good pair of speakers and headphones.” The www.ncwgoodlife.com

computer dominates his desk and his workday. Brad’s personal interests beyond his family are refreshingly straightforward. In fact, he says, “I realize I enjoy doing as an adult exactly what I enjoyed when I was growing up — reading, writing, drawing and running.” As much as Brad values painting and drawing, at the end of the day his visual artistry is drained, so his creative energy turns toward a little photography, fiction writing and (recently) gourmet cooking. And his physical energy pulls him outdoors to put in miles along local irrigation canals, staying in top shape for the occasional marathon. How does he gather inspiration for his successful designs? First, he says, he keeps his eyes open, always alert to beauty in his surroundings. Specific high-concept times? “When I’m running, or in the shower … I get a lot of good ideas when I’m doing those two things!” You can see Brad’s portfolio and read testimonials at brad@ www.aptdesignonline.com. —by Susan Lagsdin

column those were the days

rod molzahn

Early orcharding started with the pits O

rcharding in the Wenatchee Valley started slowly in the 1870s and peaches were the first crop of choice. In the spring of 1871 Sam Miller planted peach pits around the MillerFreer trading post near the confluence. Miller may have gotten the pits from “Dutch John” Galler, the first white settler in the Wenatchee Valley, who homesteaded in the Malaga area about 1868. Galler planted grapes for wine, a vegetable garden and a small orchard, Young Johnny Freer with unidentified man inspects orchard at Miller-Freer Trading Post, all irrigated by about 1888. Photo from Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center #83-12-6 spring water. In 1883 George mountains to Seattle, perhaps He took two mules, one to ride Blair and his famwith his good friend J.J. Hill, and one to pack, to The Dalles, ily came over Colockum Pass in builder of the Great Northern Ore., the closest place to get a late fall snowstorm and were Railroad. nursery stock. He loaded the happy to find “orchards with By 1880 Miller had peaches to pack mule high with tree whips fruit” at the Galler farm. sell but getting them to a marand headed for home. Wherever Sam Miller’s peach ket was a challenge. When he reached the pits came from they took to the Miller and a nephew loaded a Wenatchee Valley, on the east valley soil and sun, and trees rowboat with boxes of peaches side of the Columbia, the river were up and growing in 1872 and set out up the Columbia for was high and Miller knew the when Philip Miller (no relation Lake Chelan. mule he was riding couldn’t to Sam) arrived in the valley. They planned to sell the swim across with him on its He settled on land below peaches to soldiers at the new back. Saddle Rock and set out plantarmy post at the foot of the lake. He tied the mules together, ing four acres of wine grapes, The trip took two-and-a-half tied a knot in the pack mule’s two plum trees and five apple days of hard rowing. tail, took a firm grip above the trees — the first apples planted The boat had to be pulled by knot and drove both mules into in the valley. hand lines along the shore past the Columbia. They swam to Next he cleared 2.5 acres and the west bank dragging Philip planted peaches after seeing the the Entiat Rapids but the soldiers gladly bought every peach. Miller behind and carrying the year-old trees around the tradSoon after he had settled in trees that would make the valing post. the valley, Philip Miller deley’s first large apple orchard. Some of Philip Miller’s peachtermined to expand his apple Zadok A. Lanham joined seven es became fine brandy, so fine plantings. other single, white men living in that word of it spread across the

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| April 2011

the valley when he arrived from Seattle in 1883. He homesteaded 160 acres between Okanogan and Methow streets and immediately planted a small part in apples. When the railroad came in 1892 Lanham’s first apple crop was ready to ship, making the Lanham orchard one of the earliest, commercially successful orchards in North Central Washington. 1907 brought notoriety to the orchard when the first codling moth — a pest to this day in the valley —was discovered there. In 1887 George and Ida Richardson settled in Brown’s Flat (now Monitor) and planted some land in apples, the first in the upper valley. George was also the first to build a waterwheel on the Wenatchee to irrigate his orchard and garden. The “Hard Winter” of 1889/90 killed almost all the livestock in the valley, but the Richardson trees survived convincing some of his neighbors that they should be raising fruit not cattle. Conrad and Elizabeth Rose made Wenatchee home in 1888. Elizabeth later recalled her reaction when they reached the Wenatchee flat. “It was the hottest day I ever experienced. There was no shade. Nothing but sand and hot wind and sagebrush. I kept looking for the town. Conrad said there wasn’t any town. I couldn’t believe it. I don’t know why I didn’t walk back to Ellensburg.” Instead, they stayed and planted 30 acres on Miller Street in peaches, the largest peach orchard in the valley. When the Great Northern rolled into town four years later, the first crop of Rose’s peaches were ready to ship out alongside

“There was no shade. Nothing but sand and hot wind and sagebrush. I kept looking for the town. Conrad said there wasn’t any town. I couldn’t believe it. I don’t know why I didn’t walk back to Ellensburg.” Zadok Lanham’s apples. Conrad Rose saw money to be made and the next year, 1893, he started Wenatchee’s first fruit shipping business. That same year Ernest Wagner and his wife and family were trying to make a go of it with a boarding house in Orondo. A traveling salesman with a wagonload of a thousand apple trees stayed with them. He sold no trees and had no money when it came time to pay his bill. He gave the Wagners the only thing he had, the trees. The new, unwilling orchardists, borrowed some bare land from a neighbor and planted the trees. The next year they decided to move across to the west side of the Columbia. They tore down their buildings and built a raft. They dug up all the trees and floated them, with their other belongings, across the river to the mouth of Swakane Canyon where they rebuilt the house, replanted the trees and built an irrigation ditch and flume from high on Swakane Creek to irrigate the orchard. The Wagners were the first local orchardists to ship fruit out of the country when, for 12 years, starting in 1907, they shipped rail carloads of Wenatchee apples to Australia. The valley’s first orchardists

planted mostly on 5- and 10acre tracts. They planted trees in hand-dug holes with 20-foot spacing. They planted vegetables and hay between the trees to have some income while they waited for the fruit trees to bear. They ordered trees from Eastern nurseries and the shipments usually included a multitude of varieties. The Holcomb orchard on Fifth Street had 46 varieties on 10 acres. At the 1909 Spokane Apple Show growers established a

list of acceptable varieties that included Yellow Newton, Winter Banana, Grimes Golden, Red Cheek Pippen, Famous, Jeffrey, Aiken Red, Arkansas Black, Gano, King David, Steel Red, Kinnard, Vanderpool. Delaware Red, Ben Davis, Gravenstein, Hibbardson, None Such, Jeniton, Kaighn Spitz, King of Tompkins County, McIntosh Red, Mammoth Black Twig, Northern Spy, Rainier, Rome Beauty, Stayman, Snow, Wagner, Wealthy, York Imperial, Hydes King and

1st Choice Collision Center........................ 24 Aaron Adult Family Homes......................... 15 After Hours Plumbing & Heating................. 20 American Quality Coatings......................... 21 Artisan Flooring.......................................... 26 Beaver Valley Lodge.................................... 11 Biosports Physical Therapy......................... 15 Brenda Burgett Century 21........................ 20 Bob Feil Boats & Motors............................ 17 Central Washington Hospital ..................... 13 Central Washington Water........................... 12 Chelan County PUD Conservation............... 22 Children’s Home Society............................ 23 Clayton Homes........................................... 14 Complete Design ...................................... 20 Concepts Kitchen & Bath Designs.............. 10 D A Davidson & Company .......................... 3 Dr. Steve Stroud N.D., L.Ac......................... 12 Dr. Steve Stroud N.D., L.Ac......................... 28 Dr. Steven Harvey DDS............................... 14 Epledalen Retirement & Assisted Living...... 36 First Choice Floor Coverings....................... 18 Fred Dowdy Company Inc........................... 36 Gallery 4 South.......................................... 11 Golden East Restaurant............................. 27 Healthy Options at Home........................... 34 Highgate Senior Living................................ 21

April 2011 | The Good Life

Ortley. That all changed in 1912 when Harry Shotwell and a few others planted the first large tracts of Red Delicious from the Stark Nursery in Missouri. Historian, actor and teacher Rod Molzahn can be reached at shake. speak@frontier.com. His third history CD, Legends & Legacies Vol. III - Stories of Wenatchee and North Central Washington, is now available at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center and at other locations throughout the area.

Icicle Broadcasting..................................... 30 IWA Sushi Grill........................................... 27 Karie Rolen, John L. Scott Real Estate........ 20 KCSY – Sunny FM....................................... 35 Laura Mounter Real Estate & Co................... 2 Moonlight Tile & Stone............................... 20 Noyd & Noyd Insurance Agency . ............... 21 Products Supply Northwest........................ 21 Reflections Healing Studio........................... 5 Riverview Landscaping............................... 19 Security 1 Lending..................................... 21 Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort . ............... 27 Sue Long, Laura Mounter Real Estate & Co..................................... 20 Take Shape for Life....................................... 5 Telford’s Chapel of the Valley & Crematory............................................ 23 Tracey Franklin, John L Scott Real Estate.... 21 Vita Green.................................................. 35 Wenatchee Business Journal...................... 35 Wenatchee Natural Foods ........................... 7 Wenatchee Valley Medical Center............... 16 Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center..................................... 34 Western Ranch Buildings............................ 26 Wok About Grill.......................................... 27

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Reader suggestions

FUN STUFF // check out these activities

Bloomin’ cacti — We live in

5 reason to venture out

a desert, so why don’t we have any cactus? Well, we do. And, about this time of the year, they bloom. The Native Plant Society and the Land Trust invite you to discover the beautiful pediocactus with Derby Canyon Natives owner Ted Alway. The pediocactus blooms in early spring and is a spectacular burst of color in the thin, rocky soil. RSVP 667-9708 or Kathy@cdlandtrust.org.

s is said on the cover of this issue, “Let’s get going!” Here are some ideas to get you out of the door and on down the road.

Think trees —

If your answer to this question: “What Wenatchee Valley needs is ...” is “more trees,” then you’re in luck. The annual Arbor Day tree distribution is Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Walla Walla Park in Wenatchee and elsewhere in smaller communities. For a $2 donation, you can find shrubs and trees of a size and variety appropriate to our area. “There is a joy to trees,” said The Good Life columnist and gardener Bonnie Orr. “The breeze in the conifer needles in the early morning as you watch the sun rise; the dappled shade of deciduous trees on a hot afternoon; the busyness of birds building a nest outside your window; the coolness of your house and yard because of the shade.” Go, trees.

Blowin’ in the wind — “The wind blows

’til the snow’s gone from Mission Ridge,” say the old timers. In which case, we’ll have bodacious amounts of wind this year. And when you have wind, that’s the best time to fly a kite. Entiat is the site for a kite festival Sunday, April 17, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kiwanis Park along Highway 97A. “Paper kites will be available for all ages to construct, decorate and fly, with prizes awarded,” said one of the organizers, Alan Moen, who can be reached at 784-5101 for further info. (Really? Further information? Wind. Kites. Prizes. What’s more to know?)

| The Good Life

Musical times two — The Drowsy

Tea and conversation

My friend, Karen Lunt, and I experienced the High Tea at the Sip and Savor Tea Room at the Huckleberry Haven at 1453 Okanogan in Wenatchee recently. We found it so pleasant and unusual that we want to share it with you. The experience began with a warm, welcoming greeting from Ruth Leslie, a retired school teacher who knows how to make a tea party into an event. She uses her creativity and attention to detail along with a tea cup collection from her grandmother to create an atmosphere from a time when the clock did not rule, and conversation could take twists and turns in a most satisfying and relaxing way. You need to allow two hours to really get the most from this experience — maybe 1½ hours for the Savory Tea which has at least one less course. The tea choices are unusual and delicious. Two pots of tea per person and many tasty tidbits are too much to eat, but we sampled everything and took home some goodies for later. It was better than a massage. It is by reservation only. Visit www.thehuckleberryhavenbedandbreakfast.com for details. — Dana Schmidt

Chaperone is this year’s festival musical by the Music Theatre of Wenatchee where a man listening to a rare recording of a 1928 musical comedy finds relief to his “non-specific sadness.” The plot is too complicated to explain here, but involves showgirls, pun-slinging gangsters, a Latin Lothario, an oil tycoon and massive misunderstandings. Performances are April 28-30, May 5-7, 12-14, & 19-21 at 7:30 p.m. and May 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. All performances will be at the Riverside Playhouse in Wenatchee. Ticket info: www. pacwen.org or 663-ARTS.

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| April 2011

Let’s parade —

Apple Blossom marching season is right down the street, with the Youth Parade stepping out on Saturday, April 30. Over 4,500 youths are expected to participate in this parade staging at Triangle Park, then traveling down Orondo Street before turning left on Mission to Fifth Street, Wenatchee.