In the Nick of Time ~

 I've written about the proposed rural cluster developments that were approved on the large landlocked property to the west of our Homestead in WA.  Changes in zoning, allowing for rural cluster development by Snohomish County, ended the true rural character of a large, somewhat forgotten area just to the west of us.  Prior to the change, development was limited to one house per five acres.

The Wetland~

 The centerpiece of this land, was the large, vibrant wetland.  It was years before I found it & it wasn't until November of 2003 that I took up a digital camera for photos.  It was so quiet, remote & so beautiful.  It became a favorite ride destination.  Ben rode Jas here often.  One day we saw a white deer.  Wildlife abounded, beaver, deer, coyote & porcupine.  The creeks were full of salmon. 

Butch with Ben & Jas -2002

We joined our neighbors in going to court to oppose this change to no avail. As the logging started, the salmon disappeared from the creeks... Years went by & Native Growth Protection signs were posted. When linking to that information, I noticed - the name had been changed. The responsibility for managing & maintaining/protecting these areas falls to the homeowner associations. Somehow, I don't see that happening. The costs would be substantial.

Ben on Jas, 2-19-2006

Sadly, it didn't take long until I recognized the signage, was just a formality to appease building codes.  As power went in & the bulldozing increased in scale, I couldn't imagine anything would remain.  Before we left, the line of bulldozers impressed even my husband - familiar with the scale of commercial construction.

1-27-2014

The other evening, I used the Google Earth program to see if the aerial images had been updated. What I found sickened me.

As of July 2018

 As of this last summer, the changes are immense.  I'm sure the sound of the dirt-work carries for miles in all directions.

Looking west~

 You can see how close the work is coming to the Wetland in the above photo.  We'd been told that our road would not be used for access or to tie into Burn Rd.  But from what I can tell - it may now.  Burn is a narrow road with no shoulder, already taking on the burden of other developments further north.

Looking North~

 There's just a small strip of private property now, between our old road & the site.  Our water wells were one of the concerns brought up in court.  Last I knew, the developments would be on septic.

The I-5 corridor~

It's already impossible to drive the I-5 corridor.  Traffic continues to worsen to the point where you have to plan hours of travel time to go places that used to take minutes.  Ever increasing population numbers - contribute to the urban sprawl.  The sprawl - continues to eat away at the beauty of the western side of the state.  

June 28, 2016

 Above is one of the last trails Farah & I traveled, our last summer.  It's how the entire area had looked for many, many years.  I fondly say goodbye to what was a beautiful, stunning natural & native environment.   Now lost to the ravages of development & the dollar...

Pierce Creek - Summertime!

Friday & the end of a hot, humid week.  After the rains of Wed. night & muggy but cooler weather yesterday - I finally thought of Pierce Creek Recreation Area as a possible ride destination.  I called Joyce - trails were open - so this morning I made the 35-mile drive from Glenwood.  After the out & back to pick up Farah - it was another 100-mile round-trip day.

Obstacle Course~

This was our second visit here & we took in the obstacle course on our way to the trails.  What a nice, well thought out course!  After the several courses we've used, this was the first time for a tunnel :-)  Farah hesitated - then walked right through.  The noodles gave her pause - as if she hasn't done noodles many times - but when I insisted - she huffed her way through those too.

On the dike~

With the memory of an Elephant, she remembered that she did Not like the sound of the outflow from the dam, but walked across like a lady.  We were the only ones there, I'd sprayed us both down from top to bottom, but it wasn't enough...

The beautiful lake~

The bugs were attacking in hoards - I pulled out my tiny pen size sprayer & did Farah's ears & my arms - but it hardly helped.  I knew it would be hot too, since most of the trails are out in the open.

Purple Bee Balm~

Here too the Bee Balm was blooming, so pretty against all the green.  All the trails we took had been freshly mowed - the only mud we found was in the low spots & only for a couple feet each time.  We headed for our favorite area, the timber & there found the footing mostly dry.  Dry enough to ride without tearing up the trails.  We spooked a Huge White Tail doe - she flagged her tail as she took off through the trees.

In the Timber~

Another quarter mile & a Huge Owl took flight just off to our side!  He was so big that he had a difficult time opening his wings for takeoff!

Stunning~

With the temperature in the upper 80's & humidity at close to 70% the heat index was between 98 & 103.  Farah was in a full sweat within the first couple miles.  I took my electrolytes & sipped out of my water bottle.

Echinacea & Black Eyed Susan's

I was surprised to see the Echinacea growing wild here!  I had planted it on the Homestead, but over the years the growing trees along the road shaded it out.  Now I'm looking forward to planting some here!  Once in a while a cloud would move over head & give us some brief relief from the sun.  We rode around the far edge of the lake & a huge fish jumped - scaring us both :-)

Great Blue Heron~

We'd spooked this guy on our way over, now coming back, here he was!  I did manage to get a decent picture, even with Farah shaking every 30-seconds due to the flying insects. 

Taking flight~

Just after I took his photo, he squawked at us!  I had no idea that they can make such a nasty, scratchy noise!  He was quick to take off for the willow on the far side of the lake.

From the SW corner~

We followed the perimeter fence again.  Farah trotted all the way across the dike, with only a slight hesitation at the outflow :-)  She remembered the trails better than I had & was anxious to get over to the area north of the campground.  Once on the grass - she hit her full trot & we trotted the entire loop with some galloping thrown in!

On the fast trails~

She was picking up speed & with some partially blind corners I asked her to slow a little, not knowing what other wildlife we might spook up.  I was surprised that she put out the effort as hot as it was.

Farah's driest face ever~

I stripped all her tack as fast as I could - so nice to have the working field hydrants, with hoses attached!  I hosed her off - soaked myself & then let her graze.

Farah in the sun, me in the shade~

Trees have been planted along the camping spot area - one is large enough to have some shade & on a day like this one - it was very welcome.  I drank a lot of water before loading Farah for the trip back home.

Today's route~

We covered a few trails that we'd missed last time & didn't take some that we had - that were out in the open.  It was so quiet out here today - you just can't help but love the area - I just wish it were closer.  With only 7,000 people in the entire county - Fremont - (780,000 in Snohomish County, WA) it's no wonder that there is an abundance of quiet in the country~

We List the Homestead~

Here we are, listing our Homestead in Western, WA.  Never something we expected to do.  When we moved here - I told Butch I never wanted to ever move again!  Our hopes were so high - we were excited to have found our dream spot.

Over the years, we completed most of the items on our punch list.  Home has been a home we've enjoyed immensely.  Both of us have recognized the changes in the surrounding County - haven't actually been improvements.  At least not as far as accessibility to work, family, recreation etc.  Butch almost spends more time on the freeway commuting - than he does at either work or home.  Worse every year & now escalating beyond anything we could have ever imagined.

From the Cottage~

Then - there's the neighborhood...   If I stop to remember all the tracts of forest that have been cleared since we've lived here...  Now, of the wholesale development going in behind us, up the road & to the south...   I'm overwhelmed with sadness.  Once native environment is gone, it's gone forever...  The projections for future population growth in Snohomish County are unbelievable...

The Cottage~

 We've had some beautiful, if warm evenings this month. I was cleaning in the Cottage as Butch came home Tuesday.  Working in Arlington - so close to home - for the first time in years - has been so nice.  We were sitting on the steps, watching Farah graze when Janelle called to ask if we were ready to list.  Neither of us hesitated - but just answered;  "Do it!"  So it's done - the listing went live today.