Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

“Commuting”

by Anthony

This morning’s dusting of powdery, fluffy snow converted the drab November landscape into a winter spectacle.

My morning drive to the sanctuary cuts through open farmland into desert hills furnished with towering wind turbines. The highway then plunges into the Yakima River canyon and winds upstream along its forested banks and basalt cliffs. Closer to the sanctuary, the roadway climbs just enough to peek out of the canyon to see the rolling foothills of the Cascades with their thick coats of evergreens: cedars, firs, hemlocks and pines. One last curve leads into a quaint pastoral valley flanked on either side by steep hillsides speckled with woodland, upon one of which the sanctuary was built.

There are many days when this scenic commute feels like an unadvertised employee perk, offering us sweeping views of quintessential northwest landscapes with nonexistent traffic. Of course, there are contrasting days when this highway becomes a nightmarish gauntlet of hazardous elements. Depending on the season, the perils may include black ice, crossing wildlife, reckless country drivers, wildfire haze, whiteout snowstorms, stray boulders, surprise farming equipment, and never-ending bridge repairs. Despite driving the course thousands of times, none of us can reliably predict what each driven mile will entail.

This morning, we were all treated to a stunning frosty landscape bathed in warm sunlight. I think the chimps must have rushed to the windows to take it all in. I pulled off the road on my way to the sanctuary to take some photographs with the intention of sharing the experience with you all. The pictures don’t do it justice, but hopefully they convey some of the wonder.

 

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Comments

  1. Marya says

    Wow, Anthony, thank you for these wonderful photos! I’m struck not only with the landscapes but also with the exquisite skies and their variations. I wonder how the chimps experience the changing skies and snow dustings/pile-ups from their cozy blankets and corners. Thanks for sharing the beauty of your commute, black ice and all!

  2. Ellen Greene says

    Anthony,
    Your blogs are often beautifully written and wonderfully evocative. This one is one of the very best. And the photos are exquisite. Thank you so much!

  4. Thyra says

    Thanks for the great post! I was really blown away during my time there.. the scenery for that region can’t be beat! <3

    • Maureen says

      Well, with all due respect, I suspect the New England vistas may be equal to these. I’m from MA, and it will be in my blood forever. I also wouldn’t decline an opportunity to visit the great Pacific Northwest.

      • Anthony says

        Thanks Thyra! Hopefully you can come visit the mountains again.

        Maureen, I respect that opinion! I am also from New England and I think it shares some of the northwest’s best characteristics.

  5. Kathleen says

    I have had the pleasure of driving through that area and it is gorgeous. Spectacular, with photo ops aplenty. I have never been to WA in the winter months, your photos today give me a sense of the beauty. Wow, truly breathtaking. Thank you for braving the cold to capture these scenes!

    Were the chimps excited to have snow treats (pestering you for special delivery perhaps?!) or did they choose to snug down for the day, read a little, nap a bit, and groom and play in the warmth?

    • Anthony says

      The chimps have been snacking on fresh snow AND snuggling in for naps in the heated areas. They can certainly do both. 🙂

  7. Amy Bianco says

    Anthony, your photos are stunning, only to be outdone by your verbal description of your drive to the Sanctuary! Thank you for sharing it all with us!

  8. Maureen says

    Anthony, your word paintings evoke such beauty, and along with those you captured with your camera you’ve provided us today with stunning, elegant pictures to hold in our hearts and to warm us up. Thank you!

  9. Linda C says

    On the contrary, Anthony, I think that those photos that show trees covered in snow and frost, as yet untouched but on the verge of being kissed by the sun’s rays, do it perfect justice!

    PS
    “reckless drivers”….well, they want you to feel at home, now….:wink:

    • Anthony says

      Thanks, LC! I love some frosted pines.

      And yes, the crazy drivers make me feel right at home! 🙂

  10. Susan Kathleen Feeley says

    Thank you so much for sharing these amazing “winter wonderland” photos. What a great start to your day and no doubt the chimps are raring to go looking at the wild white landscape. Hugs and warm wishes to you all xxxxx

  13. Marie says

    :wink:Maybe those Reckless drivers are Reckless because they’re too busy looking at the scenery…. that they forget to look at the road!….. I’m ready to carve a room in one of those rocks and just live there ….so :blush:Beautiful

    • Anthony says

      I have definitely drifted over the centerlines on several occasions while taking in a sunrise or looking for elk. 🙂

  14. Nancy Duryea says

    Anthony, the photos are gorgeous. I drove over to Benton City from Seattle in September to pick up my new rescue dog and drove through Cle Elum. I had forgotten how beautiful that area is. My thoughts were on the loveable 16 chimps and was hoping to hear some hoots as I passed by. :rofl:

    • Anthony says

      Thanks, Nancy! September is a great time for a drive around here, when the haze is not too bad! I hope your rescue pup is settling in!

  16. Judy says

    The photos convey it well Anthony… and your words bathe it in personality. Thank you… and all at CSNW.

  18. Mark B says

    What a commute! If I’m not mistaken, it appears that some of the pictures depict hoarfrost. In my nearly fifty years in Seattle, I’ve seen hoarfrost here only once. It is indeed a magical meterological phenomenon. Not to mention the also-magical landscapes near and dear and next to the sanctuary that many of you are privy to each and every day!

  19. Cara says

    Anthony, you have captured the beauty of living in the PNW perfectly! This and the majestic Mt. Rainier are what makes living here so special :blush: