Aurora Borealis Over Wine Country

We managed to end this trip with a celestial extravaganza! Our last week was spent enjoying Washington wine country from the town of Prosser. We met my parents at Wine Country RV and spent our time there visiting all our favorite spots. We bought a LOT of wine, too! Russ and I were paying attention to the solar storms, however, and Russ suggested that we go up to Horse Heaven Vista above town to see if the northern lights would make an appearance. Boy did they ever! We saw them on Sunday also, but only for the first ten minutes after sunset - my sunset pictures are better. Saturday's show, however, was better than anything I saw in Alaska, and much more comfortable to watch. It was a lovey, cool night with a light wind.

Aurora Borealis on Saturday.

Aurora with the moon over Prosser, WA.

Straight overhead. The colors filled the sky.

Super bright and with some movement.

Another picture of the aurora with the city lights below.

Sunset on Sunday. Mount Adams to the left, Mount Rainier to the right.

Horse Heaven Vista with moon and mountains.

This was the best aurora we saw on Sunday night, after this, nothing much.

My mom came up with us and we just stood up there for hours, exclaiming and gushing about how perfect everything was. I really experienced the moment; I felt completely there- all in. I have a regular meditation practice in the hope of living in the now and not letting my mind pull me away from my experience of life. This was a beautiful manifestation of my ideal moment, fully present. It happens sometimes, but not often, and it was wonderful to share the experience with my mom, too.

Prosser always gives us a chance to try something new, as well as visit old favorites. We did more old favorite stuff this time, but we did try a new restaurant on Cinco de Mayo called Sabor Mex. It was good!

I got the bean and cheese pupusas.

The flowers are blooming everywhere.

An old favorite, Fiction (Restaurant) at the Bookwalter Winery

Avocado fries.

I can't even describe how good this was.

The main reason to visit.

More blooming outside.

The separate tasting room is new.

We walked out with a case.

Lilacs.

Walking home from Dutch Brothers Coffee.

14 Hands Winery.

We stayed outside because Mom brought the dog.

A lovey day to enjoy the outdoors.

Pesto flatbread and a small tasting flight.

Next: Airfield Winery

Again outside (because dog).

I really like the white wines at Airfield.

The cows are back in their field. We walked home.

No storm today.

Sunset from Horse Heaven Vista (before the solar storm night).

Mount Adams and the Yakima River.

Tree at sunset over the valley.

The Yakima River with Mount Adams (again).

Sunset behind Mount Rainier.

Hombre sky.

The next day, Mount Adams over the fields.

The garden at Wine O'Clock.

Wine O'Clock is the restaurant at the Bunnell Winery.

Fresh Asparagus with mascarpone butter.

Delish.

Rhubarb is in season, too.

Chive flowers.

As much as I loved being in Prosser, I was homesick by the time we were cleaning and packing up to leave. We had a leisurely morning; Russ and I walked to the coffee shop for breakfast. I stripped the linens off the bed and made sure the coffee press and the toaster oven were really clean. As we set off in the truck for our last (short) day of driving, I couldn't help but reflect on the whole trip, and on the gravity of home. Home does have a pull that is unmatched in the world.

I don't really feel like I can rest and sleep well if there is too much to unpack and too much undone, so I end up working really hard for three or four hours when we get home, unpacking food, clothes, entertainment items, workout equipment, cat things. I made a decent dinner, too. A long shower felt so nice before bed. I did a thorough clean up of the cat litter box and the R-Pod floors the next day, and finished the laundry. We plan to be home for the whole summer. It's the best time of year here, and I'm looking forward to being here for it.