WENATCHEE ◆ LEAVENWORTH ◆ CHELAN ◆ AND ALL OF NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON
OOTHILLS January-February 2015
SNOW THRILLS
INSIDE Hard Row to Hoe NCW’s ‘naughty’ winery
On second thought ... A kitchen remodel done right
EDITOR’S LETTER
Whatever happened to A
winter?
s this issue went to press, the weather looked more mid-November than midDecember. In mid-December, I should be cursing about the mounds of snow plowed into the middle lanes of Chelan Avenue and Mission Street. Instead, I found myself grumbling about the fact that the weather was mild enough to rake leaves in my backyard. I know I’m going to sound like your older neighbor, but I’ll say it anyway: I remember when December meant snow. Serious snow. The kind that can stop a whole city in its tracks, giving kids the day off from school and dads a sore back from multiple snowshoveling sessions. The last winter that I can remember fitting that bill was 1996. My wife and I had been married a matter of weeks and we were snowed in because we couldn’t get our cars out of the driveway. Obviously, there are worse things than being a newlywed and getting snowed in with your spouse. I don’t have the attention span to follow the global-warming debate, so I can’t definitively explain the meager snow months of recent winters. Suffice to say: Winter ain’t what it used to be. I know the snow will come. It always does. Whether you’re a downhill skier, a snowboarder, a cross country skier, a snowmobiler or a family sledder, just be sure you’re ready for it. In the meantime, check out the skiing and snow camping story inside this issue for a little winter inspiration.
Marco Martinez, editor
2
FOOTHILLS
January / February 2015
Follow us
facebook.com/Foothills.Magazine
@Foothillsmag
OOTHILLS A BIMONTHLY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE ABOUT NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON
rth Leavenwot! n i o s l a e Now ront Stre at 837 F
Publisher Rufus Woods rwoods@wenatcheeworld.com Managing editor Cal FitzSimmons (509) 665-1176 fitzsimmons@wenatcheeworld.com Editor Marco Martinez (509) 664-7149 martinez@wenatcheeworld.com
"On the darkest of nights the men from Lucerne were glad the ladies of Point Lovely left the light on for them."
General manager, advertising and sales Joe Pitt (509) 664-7143 pitt@wenatcheeworld.com Design Rachel Hansen, Jessica Trondsen Staff writers Mike Irwin, Dee Riggs, Rick Steigmeyer
Lake Chelan, www.hardrow.com
Staff photographers Mike Bonnicksen, Don Seabrook Contributing editor Russ Hemphill
Foothills Magazine is published bi-monthly by World Publishing, 14 N. Mission St., Wenatchee, WA, 98801. Subscriptions: $14.99 annually Send check or money order to: Foothills, Subscriptions 14 N. Mission St., Wenatchee, WA, 98801 or email foothills@wenatcheeworld.com Copyright 2014 with all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without written permission.
Correction Literacy Council volunteer requirements Volunteers interested in becoming a Literacy Council tutor are required to attend a single eight-hour New Tutor Training. Training is offered usually on a Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more, contact Kay Loeffler at 682-6967 or email her at kloeffler@wvc.edu. Training requirements and contact information were incorrect on Page 32 of the November-December issue.
Look for your Owner’s Guide in the mailbox soon! 1,100 comments, hundreds of hours of work for the past nine months, by dozens of people - now it’s your turn to decide what you think is important for increasing the quality of life in Chelan County.
Si usted necesita la guia del dueno en espanol por favor llame 661-4081
When your Owner’s Guide arrives: 1) Take a look 2) Fill out the card 3) Send your choices in: By mail or at ourpublicpower.org
Win an iPad
Winner of the iPad will be drawn at random from comments returned January / February 2015
FOOTHILLS
3
Contents 6 Fast five
Five things to heat up a cold winter
8 Done late, done right
Page 22
This kitchen’s time had come
16 Fireside sips
Cocktails that warm the belly
22 Bluebird days
The glory that is ski season in NCW
34 Snow camping A path less travelled
42 Hard Row to Hoe
Page 42
Naughty story, nice wine
50 Finding roots
Errant vintner makes a name for herself
Page 34 4
FOOTHILLS
January / February 2015
Page 16
New York City’s award-winning improv musical comedy, based entirely on audience suggestions!
On the cover: A skier zooms downhill during a typical postcard-perfect ski day at Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort. Mission & Ridge Ski & Board Resort photo
“Tartan Terrors is North America's Premier Celtic Event”
Page 8
January / February 2015
FOOTHILLS
5
FAST FIVE
The winter warmth BY MIKE IRWIN
EDITION
1
Winter straight up
No winter explorer dares face the frigid outdoors without a bit of liquid reinforcement. So why not sip in style? The Glacier 10-ounce Flask by Spokanebased GSI Outdoors wraps a sleek stainless steel, screw-top container in a “manly” leather holster. It comes with a snap-on cap that holds two stainless steel shot cups, just in case things gets social on the tundra. GSI labels the flask as “durable enough for a lifetime of use.” Hooked on Toys in Wenatchee sells the Glacier Flask for $25.99. It shares space with battery-powered insoles for warming up boots. But, really … which anti-freeze device would you prefer? Info: hookedontoys.com
6
FOOTHILLS
January/February 2015
2
Tips for toes
If chilled tootsies rank as your No. 1 winter hazard, then you need Toe Warmers — the cheapest and easiest method to keep footsie frostbite at bay. The chemical-heat pouches (iron powder, charcoal, vermiculite — kaboom!) are airactivated, last about six hours and sport adhesive backings to keep them snug against your down-there digits. Made by Grabber Inc., Toe Warmers are just one hot product in a whole lineup of warmers for hands, feet, butts and other body parts. (Be creative.) Toe Warmers are sold at many outdoor stores, but we found them at Stan’s Merry Mart in Wenatchee at $1.49 for a pack of two. Info: stansmerrymart.com
3
Got you covered
Besides warmth, a good quilt provides beauty and even a bit of mystery on those long January nights. All those pieces and patterns — it’s enough to overheat a quilt-lover’s brain. “Don’t even try to figure it out,” said one ol’ sew-and-sew at a recent quilt show. “Just appreciate its ‘quilty-ness.’” A nice place to do this is at The Attic Window Quilt Shoppe, the region’s quilting hub located in downtown Wenatchee. Locally-made “cuddle quilts” — for show and for sale — hang on a back wall to form a gallery of stitched art. Prices range from $45 (for a baby quilt) to $150 (adult-sized cuddler). Stock rotates as the quilts sell, so you’ll never see the same blanket twice. Info: theatticwindowquiltshoppe.com
4
5
Dog Days of winter
Hey, you aren’t the only one with winter goosebumps. Fido’s chilly, too. So check out the Kurgo Loft Dog Jacket, a lightweight, reversible shell that quickly wraps your pooch in an insulated second “coat.” It’s waterproof, machine washable, adjustable and has reflective piping for street-walking safety. It’s made of nylon Ripstop (hard to shred) with a zippered slit to accommodate a leash or harness. The jacket also comes in a variety of sizes — chihuahua to Great Dane. Panting for it yet? Downtown Wenatchee’s new Firehouse Pet Shop sells the Loft Dog Jacket for $29.99. Info: Facebook.com/ firehouse-pet-shop
Winter bikes? Yikes!
One sure-fire way to stay warm this winter? Pedal-up some sweat on the hottest trend in snow recreation: Fat bikes. These big-tired babies glide where regular mountain bikes fear to tread — mainly along groomed trails, snowmobile tracks, logging roads and unplowed neighborhood streets. Fatty fans also swear the lightweight bikes (some weigh only 35 pounds) are a dream to pedal even in 5 inches of powder. But they ain’t cheap. Arlberg Sports in Wenatchee stocks fat bikes ranging from $1,700 to $2,100, with the top-o’-the-line Specialized Fat Boy sporting massive 4.6-inch tires and a feather-light frame. Tip: Arlberg rents fat bikes at its riverfront store at Pybus Public Market. Info: arlbergsports.com January/February 2015
FOOTHILLS
7
22 years later: INSIDE HOME
W
e did lots of things wrong in 1992 when we built our house in Wenatchee, but it’s hard, in hindsight, to fault the muchyounger couple who were on a tight budget. My husband and I had workers install inexpensive cabinets, countertops and flooring. Over the years, bad things happened with those: u Exposure to sunlight brought out the glue under the laminate on the cabinets, leaving ugly blotches of brown on two of the cabinets. u Wear and tear in the main counter workspace wore off the coloring on the Formica countertop, leaving a large, light-colored sphere in one of the most visible spots in the kitchen. u Dropped knives and refrigerator movement pockmarked the lightcolored, vinyl flooring, leaving deep gouges that collected dirt and myriad stains. In addition, a cabinet installer had failed to match up a lower cabinet with a higher one, creating a wavy, side section of laminate. We’d also done a really stupid thing in putting in our overall flooring: we’d installed carpeting in the family room, vinyl flooring in the kitchen and hardwood in the entryway. Where they all came together was a hodgepodge of materials and color. By the fall of 2013, we realized we weren’t having people over for dinner
8
Foothills
January/February 2015
STORY BY DEE RIGGS PHOTOS BY MIKE BONNICKSEN
a home project done right
January/February 2015
Foothills
9
Above, silver handles on cabinets create a clean look in the kitchen. Right, decorator Kim Ferderer selected a silver drum-style light, which sends diffused light to the table in the nook. because we were embarrassed by the kitchen. It was time for a change — we were going to remodel the kitchen and mainfloor half bath. And, this time, we’d do it right. To that end, we hired an excellent contractor, Gary Gillin, and a decorator, Kim Ferderer. Advice on hiring a decorator: Use her for everything. For some reason, we thought we would choose our own handles for the kitchen cabinets, falling in love with ones that were mostly black with a little coppery sheen. When we showed them to Ferderer, the look of dismay on her face said it all. There was nothing black in the design mix, and definitely nothing coppery. We ended up exchanging them for silver handles, but took a loss in the process. Still, when the project all came together, the silver handles were perfect. They went well with the vinyl squares that we had installed as flooring — squares that we could take out and replace if they got nicked. The flooring also is mottled, hiding so much dirt that it always surprises me how much I find when I clean the floor. Ferderer chose the gray flooring because it would not fight with our light, wood-stained floorboards. Having those re-stained or painted white so we could have installed hardwood floors, would have cost us $7,000. The gray flooring, from Columbia River Interiors, covers not only the kitchen, but the family room and 10
Foothills
January/February 2015
SALE
throughout the store now til end of February Mon. ~ Sat. 10 am to 5:30 pm • Complimentary Gift Packaging
GildedLilyHome.com • 2 N. Wenatchee Ave. • 509.663.1733
5 TOP REASONS
1000’s have switched to Winning LOCAL Service and Support. 1 Award We treat our customers like our neighbors... Because they are!
Gets The Same Low Prices, No Gimmicks 2 Everyone Triple Play Bundles as low as $21.65 per service... for new AND current loyal customers!
NETFLIX, Amazon Prime, Apple TV 3 Unlimited Watch all you want without worrying
OR
ST
2014
W
4 5
about usage limits! Fastest Internet Available Up to 100X100 Mbps Consistent speeds -all day, all night, no bottlenecks!
L D’S B E
Voted “Worlds Best Cable TV Provider” 1000’s have already switched and they are glad they did... You will be too!
Powered By Your Local P.U.D. World Class Technology, Home Town Service!
888-8888
www.localtel.net • 341 Grant Road January/February 2015
Foothills
11
entryway, eliminating the unsightly crash of three materials that we had originally. Ferderer also chose gray carpeting throughout the house, which works well with the light green walls. We also chose a high-quality cabinet from Inside DesignCarpet One, which we are optimistic won’t bleed glue in sunlight. Other things that we did right this time around: u Getting rid of a built-in desk in the kitchen, which was never used as a desk. Instead, we installed a hutch, which includes rippled glass on two top fronts, and pull-out drawers below for easier access to cooking supplies. u Listening to Ferderer’s choice of a stainless steel sink, instead of the black one we had envisioned. The stainless 12
Foothills
January/February 2015
works perfectly with the gray flooring and silver cabinet handles. u And listening to her advice on getting a built-in soap dispenser and an instant-hot water dispenser. The soap dispenser means no more ugly plastic soap bottles on the countertop, and the hot-water dispenser means quick tea whenever we want it. u Installing a brown-andblack, patterned granite countertop from Precision Waterjet. Like the flooring, it hides dirt really well. u Installing under-cabinet lighting, which brightens up the workspace. We hope a large part of our kitchen remodel costs will be made up when we sell the house in four or five years. The experts say homeowners recoup 70 to 90 percent of those costs when they sell.
Above, bright orange roses add color to the kitchen. In the background, granite was used on windowsills that had previously been sun-damaged wood. Left, the kitchen opens to the family room, where the same vinyl floor tiles create a unified look. The TV, previously inside a cabinet on the left, is hung over the fireplace, allowing for more seating space. Bottom left, a rug in the family room picks up orange and tan tones used elsewhere in the room. It’s also a favorite resting spot for Coby the cat.
FREE Design! January/February 2015
Foothills
13
Above, in the family room, a calming river scene blends with a pot that holds white birch tree branches from the back yard. Right, The same St. Cecelia granite used on the countertops continues as a back splash. We’ll hope for that but, in the meantime, we get to enjoy our new kitchen, and host dinner guests in a space that we’re proud of. F
Remodeling costs: $47,100
Black granite in the half bath tops the same style of cabinets that are in the kitchen. Decorator Kim Ferderer chose a large picture of an outdoor scene to take up an awkward space behind the toilet. 14
Foothills
January/February 2015
u Cabinets (kitchen and half bath): $11,500 u Granite countertops (kitchen and half bath): $6,500 u Sinks, faucets, misc. (kitchen and half bath): $2,900 u Flooring (kitchen, family room and entryway): $7,800 u Labor (contractor, electrician, decorator): $12,700 u Appliances: $5,700
DID YOU KNOW! Pat McDonald
Co-Owner, Design Consultant
At Carpet One, We promise you’ll love the way your new floor looks, or we’ll replace it FREE. Including installation*
That’s
*See actual warranty at store for complete details.
246 n mission | WenatcheePD.com | Like us!
Open M-F 9-6 • Sat. 10-3 2101 North Duncan Drive • Wenatchee (509) 662-9500 • insidedesignc1.com facebook.com/insidedesigncarpetone
January/February 2015
Foothills
15
Winter just got a little warmer with the Salted Caramel Wonderland served up by Lulu’s in East Wenatchee.
KITCHEN CREATIONS
STORY BY KAYLIN BETTINGER PHOTOS BY JILL FINEIS
Wintry mix Drinks to help you make it to spring
H
ere’s to winter. Down jackets, whiffs of wood smoke, skiing. The early evenings that make 4 p.m. seem like 9 p.m., scraping ice from the windshield, a cold toilet seat in the morning. For all the joys winter brings, it also chills to the bone. So, in the spirit of the season, we bring you three triedand-true winter warmers from local mixologists. You can skip the trip and bring the bar to you. Share with friends, or sip these while curled up by the fire. Prost, salud, cheers!
Winter screams for a warm fire and a hot drink, like this Hot Night in Bavaria served up by The Grotto.
Hot Night in Bavaria, The Grotto at Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort Megan Cavassa sees a lot of chilly cross-country skiers from her post
behind the bar at The Grotto at Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort. With them in mind, she created this twist on a Hot Night in Normandy. This buttery drink is perfect for apple and cinnamon lovers, and with a warm mix of creamy and boozy, is sure to heat up even the coldest of winter days. 1.5 ounces Cruzan Black Strap Rum 0.5 ounce It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere Apple Brandy 2 tablespoons buttered rum batter 1 ounce cream Mix ingredients in 6-8 ounce mug. Add hot water to fill. Stir until hot buttered rum batter is completely dissolved. Top with whip cream and orange peel. Enjoy.
Salted Caramel Wonderland, Lulu’s in East Wenatchee Terrah Mojica has been a bartender for most of a decade in the Wenatchee Valley, and her concoctions do not disappoint. As a bartender at Lulu’s in East Wenatchee, she creates cocktail recipes for specials every day. This caramel-centric cocktail may seem like a flavor overload when reading the recipe, but the caramel, apple and chocolate flavors mix perfectly with the salt. Despite the potential for a mess, don’t skip the salted caramel rim. 1.5 ounces Stoli Karamel Vodka 1.5 ounces Sour Apple pucker 1 package of hot cocoa mix 2 tablespoons caramel Whip cream Fresh apple slices Ground cinnamon Caramel the rim of an 8-10 ounce mug and dip half the mug rim in salt. Mix ingredients and add hot water to fill. Top with whipped cream and drizzle caramel on top. Garnish with a fresh apple slice, dipped in caramel then sprinkled with salt. Top with a dash of ground cinnamon. Indulge.
Hot Night in Bavaria is a tasty drink and doubles as a hand warmer. 18
Foothills
January/February 2015
MY RESOLUTION JOIN TODAY! Receive a FREE PERSONALIZED FITNESS PLAN!
The
662-3544 www.wrac.org
Wenatchee Racquet & Athletic Club
Have you recently your Visit the Spine Clinic at Confluence Health, so you can get better faster and return to normal activity.
Call for an appointment:
509.667.7507 Wenatchee Valley Hospital & Clinics Spine Clinic 1000-B N. Miller St. Wenatchee, WA 98801
January/February 2015
Foothills
19
Fresh ingredients put SOUTH’s Cranberry Margarita over the top. 20
Foothills
January/February 2015
You can either invite a couple of friends to help you drink these Cranberry Margarita’s up or ... . The recipe is courtesy of SOUTH at Pybus Public Market.
A healthy dash of cinnamon is the final touch on the Salted Caramel Wonderland served up by Lulu’s in East Wenatchee.
Cranberry Margarita, SOUTH in Wenatchee Who hasn’t daydreamed about a tropical vacation to escape the wintertime blues? Well, with this cocktail we invite you to crank up the heat, lay out a beach towel in your living room and take a staycation. Escape to the tropics while still staying in the Christmas spirit — cranberry, sugar and orange, and a kick of tequila. A refreshing twist on the holidays. 4 ounces whole cranberries 1 ounce fresh lemon juice 1 ounce fresh lime juice 2 ounces simple syrup (equal parts hot water and sugar, mixed) 6 ounces Luna Azul silver tequila 1 ounce Combier premium triple sec 1 pitcher full of ice Blend cranberries, lemon juice, lime juice and simple syrup. Pour mixture into a pitcher filled with ice. Add tequila and triple sec. Stir well. Sugar the rims of three 10-ounce glasses and evenly distribute the cocktail between them. Garnish each glass with a lemon slice and a cranberry. Give a hearty “cheers” to your staycation travel partners and enjoy. F
January/ February 2015
Foothills
21
NCW LIFE
STORY BY BRAD LANE
Ski season it’s all about ups and downs
22
Foothills
January / February 2015
Stevens Pass Mountain Resort
A mountaintop view at Stevens Pass Mountain Resort features snow-covered mountains, clouds, blue skies, ski terrain and a short stretch of Highway 2.
The views from Mission Ridge give the Columbia River valley perspective.
Frank Cone photo
“I began to understand that the benefits of living so close to the mountains went well beyond favorite ski runs and powder days.” — Brad Lane 24
Foothills
January/ February 2015
A pair of snowboarders air and slash in the 100Laps terrain park at Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort.
W
hen I first moved to Wenatchee, I was settling into a western landscape that varied greatly from my Midwest upbringings — cherry blossoms instead of corn fields, mountain peaks instead of flat landscapes. There was a time after my arrival, before any chairlifts were open, when I was riding around in town with a friend. We were talking about Wenatchee, and I expressed to her that the upcoming ski season would be my first. That it would be the first time in my life where ski slopes like Mission Ridge and Stevens Pass were in my backyard. Stopped at a red light, my friend turned to me and smiled. “Your first ski season, eh? Get ready for your life to change,” she said as we accelerated through the green light. At the time, her comment didn’t register much. With experience in backpacking, climbing, running, and even the occasional longweekend ski trips, I was pretty sure I knew what I was getting into. And it wasn’t until my skis were sharpened and my seasons pass secured, that I began to understand the truth behind her life-changing prediction. From Day 1, I started to realize the glory that is known as a ski season in Wenatchee, and I began to understand that the benefits of living so close to the mountains went well beyond favorite ski runs and powder days. That there was something more to it, or perhaps something less, and it can only be partially described as that primal feeling of fun. And like most things in life, the delight in a ski season comes from the details.
Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort photos
2015 BUICK REGAL
EXHILARATION COMES STANDARD.
662-6134
1-800-450-3600
Ninth & Miller, Wenatchee Caring about your family is what brings you back to ours!
www.sangstermotors.com
January / February 2015
Foothills
25
A mountaintop view at Stevens Pass Mountain View features snow-covered mountains, clouds, blue skies, ski terrain and a short stretch of Highway 2. Below, family enjoys the powder and views at Mission Ridge.
Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort photo
The morning commute My ideal snow day typically starts with a bus ride by either catching the Stevens Pass Shuttle or the SkiLink bus in Wenatchee. As I enjoy the Northwest scenery passing outside the big bay windows, I realize I made the right decision when I let someone else do the concentrating on the road. My real morning commute doesn’t begin, however, until I’ve got my skis on and pass scanned — when I take a seat and let the bull wheel do the work. It might be the sight of the parking lot vanishing into the background, and with it the
DINE IN!
230 Grant Road, East Wenatchee
ORDER OUT!
Give Yourself A New Year Treat!
✔ Daily Lunch Specials & Combos (Available Until 3:00 pm!)
✔ Daily Dinner Specials & Combos Closed Mondays! ✔ Two 7-Course Family Meals (Min. 2!) ✔ Hot & Spicy ✔ Vegetarian (509)884-1510
Menu in Phone Books & GoldenEastWenatchee.com!
nurture
&
nature
Stevens Pass Mountain Resort
daily tasks of everyday life, but every time I hop on my favorite chairlifts, a definite satisfaction overcomes me. There’s also the anticipation — it’s the same feeling you get on a roller coaster as it click-click-clicks its way to the top; it’s the excitement of knowing that once you get off this easy ride up, the big thrill is delivered. And it’s that moment, after gracefully unloading the chairlift, where I begin to see why I came to the mountains to play.
E
Escape into a beautiful environment and cultivate your sense of calm. The Aspen Leaf Day Spa, nestled at the edge of our organic garden, below the Sleeping Lady profile, is the ideal respite from the every day. Immerse yourself in our range of holistic services – inspired by and in cooperation with nature. You’ll emerge serene and rejuvenated, poised to explore our art walk, gourmet cuisine, and all the splendor of Sleeping Lady. Visit SleepingLady.com to peruse our menu of spa services. sleepinglady.com | 800.574.2123
A view to behold Exiting the chairlift, a suddenly refreshing look upon the mountain greets my eyes. Whether I’m standing atop the Liberator Express gazing
January / February 2015
Foothills
27
Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort photo
A skier gets in a pow turn on a sunny day at Mission Ridge.
28
Foothills
January / February 2015
Top left: A cloud layer fills the valley floor as seen from Stevens Pass Mountain Resort. Bottom left: Photographic proof from Stevens Pass that skiers and snowboarders can co-exist. Right: An acrobatic ski show at Stevens Pass. toward the Wenatchee Valley, or atop Tye Mill with the brilliant paint strokes of the Cascade Wilderness before my eyes, one thing I know for sure: a good view can go a long way. My ski buddies often have to remind me that we’re here to do more than stand at the top of each chairlift in disbelief. Between views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams and hundreds of miles of Northwest topography, I have a hard time looking away from the amazing views. And I often wonder, is it just my 30
Foothills
January / February 2015
Midwest naivety that makes these views so immaculate in my eyes? And it’s not until I take the chairlift up or hike out along the ridge, do I see that no one with a heartbeat could sit unaffected surrounded by so much beauty.
The ride down Now the real fun begins. Whether it’s testing my limits in the deep powder and tree-lined routes of The Microwave Bowl at Mission Ridge and 7th Heaven at Stevens Pass, or gliding
Stevens Pass Mountain Resort photos
down the iconic Mimi and Easy Street groomers, my mind is taken elsewhere. I’m transported between seeing and reacting. My brain goes into automatic overdrive, and for brief moments, everything is as it should be. From top to bottom, from long curvy tracks across the corduroy to deep turns in the powder, skiing down a mountain gives me a feeling that only the birds who fly high into the sky could understand. It’s easy to leave parts of myself behind on my favorite runs. I’ve left my
poles, skis, right glove and ego behind on the Bomber Chutes at Mission Ridge. I lost my disdain for early winter sunsets under the acres of night skiing at Stevens Pass. And every time I reach the bottom of a run, from Skid Road to Hidden Valley, I leave behind morsels of self doubt as I bask in the snowy white revelry of personal achievement.
Après-ski Après-ski, a culture, or a good time. Call it what you want, but sitting down January / February 2015
Foothills
31
in the cozy confines of either Mission Ridge’s Hampton Lodge, or the Tye Creek Lodge at Stevens Pass is about as close to a picture perfect end of the day as I can get. Especially if there is a plate of freshly-cooked food in front of me, and perhaps libation of choice, as I experience the damp comfort of snow melting off my pants and the tingling sensation of my toes coming back to life. Every ski mountain has its own character and personality, and the most concentrated views of these unique cultures can be found in the ski lodges. And whether you feel the home-style welcome at Mission Ridge complete with a crackling fireplace, or the Seattle-infused mass of excitement and full-service coffee shop at Stevens Pass, you can always count on keeping company with people who enjoy the same things as you. The lodge has a way of bringing the mountain together, under one roof, and in front of a big platter of gravy soaked French fries. And every time I end my snow day surrounded by the warmth and laughter found in both lodges, I know my time has been well spent.
Golden slumbers Once my legs are no longer attached to my ski boots and my head hits the pillow, my body knows I’ve earned the rest. With my day on the ski mountain behind me, I never in my life have slept so hard. Never have I been so eager to go to bed, to rest my eyes, and only hope that I can wake up to do it all over again. And perhaps it’s the better sleep I’m getting that has improved my quality of life since moving to Wenatchee. But every time I eagerly awake to rising sun and step outside to see the mountains awake themselves, I know it’s more than the heavy sleep that makes life surrounded by skiing so good. And now every time fresh snow falls, I’ll forever be blanketed by the unforgettable awe that is a ski season. F Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort photo
Snowboarders ride the Liberator Express as the sun sets at Mission Ridge.
NCW RECREATION
Gary Jasinek’s headlamp illuminates his tent from within as a nearly full moon ducks through the clouds.
34
Foothills
January / February 2015
STORY BY GARY JASINEK PHOTOS BY MIKE BONNICKSEN
Into the cold Boys’ night out becomes a winter camping adventure
A
few years ago, my friend Roy Draggoo and I made a commitment to periodic discomfort. The pledge was prompted by a discussion during which we discovered we had no idea what phase the moon was in. Not that we couldn’t look it up. But the realization was a signal that we’d become detached from the natural world, and this was not healthy. So we made this resolution. Once a month we would spend at least one night outside, on the ground, somewhere in the backcountry. There would be two criteria: The trailhead would be within an hour’s drive of Wenatchee, and we’d camp no more than three miles from the trailhead. Plus, once a month meant every month, even in winter. Or maybe especially in winter, when most of us spend too much time indoors, and it’s usually dark. The approach allows for quick-strike forays after work, and since you’re not schlepping your gear very far, you can afford a heavier pack with more clothing, sleeping gear and other comfort items in the winter. Plus, if the weather turns dicey or your water bottle leaks all over your down sleeping
January / February 2015
Foothills
35
Jasinek, left, and Roy Draggoo prepare for their late-afternoon departure from the Mission Ridge parking lot. Top: Roy Draggoo, right, and Gary Jasinek pick their way through the trees as they near their overnight destination. Right: Overnight hiking in the winter requires a lot of gear.
bag, you can expeditiously bail out back to the car. It’s winter camping for weenies. But like most resolutions, this one didn’t last forever. We missed a month or two the first year, a few more the second. Still, more than half our 20-plus overnighters to date took place in winter. And we still get out there a few nights a year, especially in the cold months. That was the case on a Friday last March, when Roy and I were joined for an overnight by another hiking buddy, Mike Bonnicksen, whose name you may recognize from his excellent photography in this publication and in The Wenatchee World. Our destination was a snowy meadow that encircles a small pond between Clara and Marion lakes near Mission Ridge. We were at the trailhead off the ski area parking lot by 4:30 p.m. In an hour, we were a thousand feet higher and a little more than a mile from the car. We were on snowshoes, which provided traction on the well-trod trail and flotation when we departed the beaten path near our destination. Generally, even in frigid temps, the getting there is comfortably warm, because you’re working hard. The trick is to not sweat too much with the effort of going up with 30 or 40 pounds on your back. When you stop, that moisture will turn on you. (Tip: Don’t wear cotton.) Once in camp, it’s about doing things that will keep the cold at bay. First, set up tents. We stomped around in our snowshoes, tamping down the powder in tent-size platforms. Because those little wiry standard tent pegs won’t work in snow, Bonnicksen buried small nylon bags filled with powder and tied to his tent corners. I brought foot-long heavy metal pegs, and supplemented them with a 3-footlong pine branch and my hiking sticks, plunged handle-first into the deep powder. Shelter erection complete, we lounged awhile on an industrial-grade blue tarp Bonnicksen had brought,
Objective, Transparent and Unbiased Financial Guidance Independent and locally owned | Fee-only, 100% commission free No conflicts from brokerages or insurance companies | Held to a fiduciary standard of care
Services Provided
• Investment Management • Retirement and Financial Planning • Charitable and Estate Planning • Retirement Plans including 401, PSP, 403, and 457 • Portfolio Review
Call today to schedule a FREE portfolio review. 509.886.8866 Registered Investment Advisor | Member NAPFA
Scott T Blaesing, CPA, CFPÂŽ 135 S. Worthen St, Suite 300 Wenatchee, WA
www.cascade-wealth.com
ICICLE OUTFITTERS & GUIDES, INC. RI /HDYHQZRUWK :DVKLQJWRQ
SLEIGH RIDES & SUMMER HORSEBACK RIDES
ZZZ LFLFOHRXWĂ€WWHUV FRP
/HDYHQZRUWK 6WDEOHV 6OHLJK 5LGHV
January / February 2015
Foothills
37
Luxury Kitchen Appliances
Jenn-Air® appliances are known for their sophisticated styling, innovative technology and exceptional performance. All designed to help you create a beautiful kitchen and take your cooking and entertaining to impressive new levels.
It’s hot and it’s chocolate, and it’s a welcome beverage on a cold evening.
Open 8-8 WEEKDAYS 9-6 WEEKENDS
1729 N. Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee • 509-663-1671 www.savmart.net
After a great day outdoors
Relax • Restore • Refresh Your body and mind with soothing and invigorating bath & body products. You’ve earned it! 108 N. Wenatchee Ave. (Next to the Wok About Grill)
(509) 436-1690 www.littlesoapshoppe.com 38
Foothills
January / February 2015
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-6 pm
snacked on energy bars and nuts, and enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate. Some backpacking stoves do not work well in the cold. This night, my Jetboil sputtered at first. But following a suggestion from Bonnicksen, it made more robust flames with the propane canister submerged in an aluminum pot filled with water, which was apparently warmer than the very cold air around us. It must be a physics thing. When the conversation and hot chocolate ran out, it was time to get horizontal in our shelters. It was 7:30. Inside the tent, you put on all your clothes, snuggle into your sleeping bag and read with your headlamp or listen to your iPod. And for the rest of the night, you experience two basic sensations, cold and colder. It’s colder where your tootsies wander past the limits of the inflatable sleeping pad. It’s colder where your nose protrudes from your hood (I wear a down jacket inside my down bag), and colder where your knees press against and compress the down. But it’s not life-threatening cold. I can do this, you think, as you turn off your lamp, find the least uncomfortable position and pretend to sleep. Forty-seven hours later, you check your watch. It’s 9:30. But the hours somehow pass, and
Above: Tents set up, Jasinek, left, and Draggoo sip hot chocolate and enjoy the scenery. Below: Cozy in his tent, Draggoo enjoys a good read.
On their way home from an overnight camp near Lake Clara, Draggoo and Jasinek skirt the pond in the meadow where they camped.
Winter camping: How and where
O
vernight camping is allowed on most National Forest, Department of Fish and Wildlife and state Department of Natural Resources land. It’s up to you to know the exceptions, so if in doubt, make a call. DNR: Southeast Region office, (509) 925-8510; Forest Service: Wenatchee River Ranger District, (509) 5482250; Fish and Wildlife, (509) 754-4624. They are also good resources for information about Sno-Park, Discover or Northwest
Forest pass requirements, which can be complicated. Examples of interesting winter short-hike overnights can be found around here in such places as Ancient Lakes near Quincy, up Mission Ridge Road, near but not within ski area boundaries; up Ingalls Creek off Highway 97 (though fire damage has closed that trail for now); and forest roads that meet Highway 97 farther up toward Blewett Pass.
Many guides could be and have been written about staying safe outdoors in cold weather, about how to avoid avalanches and hypothermia. This article is not one of them. But at least know that it’s probably not a good idea for a snowy overnight to be your introduction to backpacking. For experienced backpackers interested in coldweather excursions, check online at such sites as wenatcheeoutdoors.org for good advice and extensive lists of resources.
It’s a water bottle, but it dispenses much-needed coffee to Jasinek after a long, mostly sleepless night. finally it’s dawn, yes, glorious dawn. How sweet life would be if we met each day with this much glee. We emerge blinking from our tents and issue our overnight reports. Mike slept not at all, he thought. Roy said he was toasty all night, thanks to strategically placed handwarmers that kept his toes from numbing. He slept fine, he claimed. Me? I think I woke up once, which indicated that I dozed off one time for a minute or two. After coffee and a snack, we packed up our frozen tents and headed back down to the car. Maybe this description of winter camping does not make it sound like fun. Sometimes it isn’t, but we keep going back. It’s deeply satisfying just to have made it through the night, to persevere against elements non-existent in your warm bedroom. And there have been experiences that you can’t get at home. A stunning blood-orange sunrise out over Quincy. The Milky Way. Being awakened by the creaky calls of geese near the banks of the Columbia. The fathomless silence of the forest in a winter’s night. These are touchstones of the natural world, like the phases of the moon. That night near Mission Ridge, it was nearly full. F January / February 2015
Foothills
41
Kiss & tell The story behind Hard Row to Hoe
Hard Row to Hoe’s Manson tasting room manager Danielle McBride, left, and co-owner Don Phelps entertain a group of visitors in November.
STORY BY RICK STEIGMEYER PHOTOS BY RON MASON
January / February 2015
Foothills
43
The retail space at the Manson tasting room includes a well-appointed vanity.
D
on and Judy Phelps believe wine should be all about having fun. The Manson couple own Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards. One step into their tasting rooms in Manson — and now, Leavenworth — and you know you’re in for a good time. “People come in, they see the wallpaper, they hear the story, and they start laughing,” said Judy, leading me to a closer inspection of the vivid red French wallpaper that seems harmlessly decorative from a distance. A close up view reveals the naughty make-up of the floral designs that may make some viewers blush as crimson as the paper’s hues. Suddenly, the bright red 1890s parlor furniture, the draped feathers and furs, and the vintage photographs of attractive women that appoints the space around the tasting bar all makes sense. I’ve been transported to a turn of the 20th-century brothel! Bring out the dancing girls! Sorry, no dancing girls. But Judy, Don and their staff will be happy to regale you with a bit of Lake Chelan history that couples well with the Manson tasting room theme. The winery takes its name from an enterprising man who in the 1930s would row miners — for a fee — between Lucerne to a brothel at Point Lovely on the upper part of Lake Chelan.
Fruit Stands • Wineries Tourist Attractions • Lodging Dining • Recreation & More
REQUEST A FREE CULINARY & AG TOURISM
DRIVING MAP
Phone: 509.433.1054 • VisitWashingtonFarms.com • CascadeFarmlands.com
Holiday treats & gifts crafted by local artisans! Open 7am-7pm 7 days a week
www.lonepinefruit.com
Handmade soaps, soothing lotions, candles, cookbooks and cards. Tasty jams, honey, spices, baked goods and seasonal produce. Large selection of Washington wines, hard cider and micro brews.
4 miles south of Beebe Bridge • 17 miles north of Orondo 23041 Hwy 97, Orondo, WA 98843 • mile post 230/231
Conconully
Chamber of Commerce
1-877-826-9050
www.conconully.com
400+ miles of groomed trails Snowmobiling Superbowls Snoparks Fuel Boondocking Lodging & Restaurants
use Outho s Race , ay Saturd 7, Jan. 1 2015 s g Race o D d e Sl -25, Jan. 235 201
Come and Enjoy!
Just Go with the Snow this winter in Conconully! January/ February 2015
Foothills
45
How this heel ended up in the chandelier of Hard Row’s Manson tasting rooms is probably best left to the imagination.
Judy Phelps is the winemaker at Hard Row to Hoe, while husband Don Phelps is in charge of their 15-acre vineyard. In 2006, the couple opened Hard Row to Hoe Winery in Manson under the Balsamroot Winery name.
Judy and Don hired a researcher to come up with the tidbit of tantalizing history. They feared the name they had originally given their winery when it opened in 2006 — Balsamroot Winery, for the wildflowers that grow abundantly on the lake’s surrounding hills — was too tame. “Nobody could remember our name. People from the west side didn’t know what a balsamroot was,” Judy said. The bawdy theme goes beyond the Hard Row to Hoe name. Wines are similarly labeled with memorable, fun and sexy names like Shameless Hussy Merlot, Burning Desire Estate Cabernet Franc, Seduction Red and Nauti Buoy White. “Visitors love the story. It breaks the ice,” she said. “We have fun in the tasting room, but we’re really serious about making good wine. If the wine isn’t good, people won’t come back.” The Phelps are serious indeed about their wines. Don has scaled down his
7 am to 6 pm
gifts, hard ciders, homemade salsa, salsa, • Fruit, spiced cider, hard ciders, homemade coffee, espresso, groceries groceries and and holiday holiday gifts! gifts! coffee, espresso, Homemade jams, jellies, apple butter & apple crisp crisp • Homemade jams, jellies, apple butter & apple Homemade Pizza & Ice cream made fresh to order! • Homemade pizza & ice cream made fresh to order!
WINE TOURS • WEDDINGS SPORTING EVENTS • AIRPORT TRANSFERS • PARTIES • QUINCEANERAS OR SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Corner of HWY. 97 & Suncove Rd., 10 mi. S. of Beebe Bridge, 5 mi. N. of Daroga State Park
509-670-4952
We ship gift boxes coast to coast.
WWW.NWLIMO.BIZ
Cider Pressing Every Weekend • 509-784-1029 • www.ciderworks.com
Orondo Cider Works (foothills) Cindy — kel live ad change JW 0425.176490.1x2.25.ExperienceFresh. The winery’s Manson tasting room features elements that play to the bawdy theme. day job as a civil engineer consultant to spend more time in the vineyard. He planted five more acres of open land in 2014, increasing vineyard to 15 acres. Red grape varieties include Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Syrah. Whites include Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. New plantings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are still a few years away from production. His goal is to one day produce all the winery’s grapes using sustainable vineyard methods. The winery is one of few, if not only, Salmon Safe vineyards around the lake, meaning organic farming methods are used nearly exclusively. Almost all grapes purchased come from other Lake Chelan vineyards. The Phelps are energetic supporters of the Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area, established in 2009. Wines must be made from at least 85 percent grapes grown in the local area to use the Lake Chelan AVA name on the label. Judy took early retirement from her job as a biostatistician for a pharmaceutical company to become Hard w Row’s She w w. twinemaker. unnelhillw i n earned e r y. c o m 3 7 H w y 9certificate 7 A : : C h e from l a n , WA her winemaking the 509-682-3243 University of California at Davis in 2006. Most of the winery’s profits have
C. R. Sandidge Wines, Inc.
“Wines of Supreme Elegance”
Tasting Room Location: 145 Wapato Way, Suite 1 Manson WA 509.682.3704 crsandidgewines.com
C ome to Y our Senses IN LAKE CHELAN
W
I
N
E
R
Y
: : AWA R D W I N N I N G W I N E S : : : : S P E C TAC U L A R V I E W S : : : : F R I E N D LY FAC E S : : W I N T E R H O U R S : : O P E N S AT & S U N 1 2 - 5
Come pay us a visit. You'll enj oy yourself. t u n n e l h i l l w i n e r y. c o m : : 3 7 H w y 9 7 A : : C h e l a n , WA : : 5 0 9 - 6 8 2 - 3 2 4 3 January / February 2015
Foothills
47
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
2012 Burning Desire Cab Franc, $42
The names given to Hard Row to Hoe wines are also suggestive. been poured into processing equipment and barrels, Judy said. The winery pressed about 45 tons of grapes from the 2014 harvest. That’s enough to make about 3,000 cases of wine. Grape quality, she said, was exceptional. Hard Row opened a second tasting room in November on Leavenworth’s Front Street, next to Der Sportsman. Judy said they had been thinking about opening a Leavenworth location for several years and have been waiting 48
Foothills
January / February 2015
for a Front Street location to become available. “It’s downstairs in a basement, so that fits perfectly with our bordello theme,” she said with laugh. Both Judy and Don spend lots of time in the tasting rooms with their staff visiting with customers. “I love interacting with people. It’s so much fun,” she said. “When we started out, I didn’t give that a thought. But that’s become our favorite part.” F
I know I’ve said this before, but Cab Franc is one of my favorite grape varietals. It typically has an understated elegance and doesn’t shout “Look at me” like its extroverted offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon. So in keeping with the name of this wine and the personality of Cab Franc ... let’s just say this wine is like a slow burn, deep and smoldering. Dark florals and spices perfume the area around the glass with a come-hither invitation to explore more. With the first lick … umm sip, blueberry, fleshy plum and spice will coat your mouth. As you linger and enjoy, the chocolate and florals expose themselves. Food pairing? Who needs it? But if you must, Indian food would go with the mood. Just make sure you eat it the traditional way and share with your partner.
— Barb Robertson
A TASTE OF NCW WINES WITH BARB ROBERTSON
Ryan Patrick 2013 Naked Chardonnay, $10
Hacienda Ink 2012 Malbec, $39
Nefarious 2013 Consequence, $19
First off, this wine is tasty. Instead of being clothed in oak, its nakedness let’s all of that glorious fruit shine. Ripe apple, pear and citrus aromas invite you to take a sip or a swig. The flavors of orchard fruits are spunky, refreshing and just right. Secondly, this is an affordable “go to” wine for just about any occasion and is readily available in this area. A convenient, flavorful, value-oriented wine. Perfect!
The name should be a clue … this Malbec is a dark, inky opaque violet. It’s the style of wine that looks to be a meal in a glass. Chocolate and pipe tobacco wafted out of the goblet and made me reach for the warm brownies that just came out of the oven. I’m not necessarily a fan of red wine and chocolate — in fact, I think the red wine and chocolate duo serves as more of a marketing tool than anything else — but on this occasion those brownies begged for that wine. The combo didn’t disappoint the palate. It was a great match, but this wine would also be a good match for lamb, prime rib and game. It’s full bodied with tannins that are well integrated and give the mouth feel a plushness. The flavors echo the chocolate and tobacco but also have smoked meat and gingerbread notes. All in all, a great wine to cuddle up with this time of year.
This is a great porch sipper in the summer but will do equally well with many of the foods that end up at holiday parties. It’s a happy wine. The blend of 50 percent Sauvignon Blanc, 33 percent Roussanne and 17 percent Marsanne play very nicely together and give a lovely, full-bodied balance of acidity and fruity sweetness. The aromatics invite a taste as they lift up both tropical and orchard fruits to your olfactory sensors. The flavors of ripe pears, honeyed grapefruit, mango and apples zip around and keep things lively. There are only good consequences that come from drinking this wine made by the talented Neff team.
Barb Robertson City: Wenatchee Credentials: Earned advanced certification through Londonbased Wine and Spirit Education Trust; currently working toward higher-level diploma through WSET. Earned degree
in marketing from Central Washington University. Owned The Wine Bin retail shop in Wenatchee for five years. Has worked in the Northwest wine industry more than 10 years, including distribution, sales, production and marketing. Judged the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 North Central Washington Wine Awards.
THE VINE
STORY BY JILL FITZSIMMONS
Errant Cellars owner on track for
big things T
here may have been a time when Quincy native Megan Couture could have described herself as errant. Errant means to wander without cause or reason. By her own admission, Couture spent nearly 10 years wandering about, her travels taking her around the country and through Europe. She never really found a job she loved, she said recently.
Errant Cellars 2012 Cabernet Franc Gold Medal winner in 2014 NCW Wine Awards 50
Foothills
January/February 2015
Megan Couture is quickly making a name for herself in the regional wine scene.
Photo by Kurtis J. Wood
But not anymore. The fledgling winemaker has found her passion and is making a name for herself back home in Quincy. In August, each of her wines was awarded a medal in the North Central Washington Wine Awards. Last month, Couture, owner of Errant Cellars, moved her operation to a building across from the Idle Hour on B Street Southeast. Friends and family gathered in late October for an open house at the new Errant Cellars tasting room, open noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays. In one corner of the tasting room sit Couture’s five medals — a gold and four silvers — from the NCW Wine Awards. Gold medal honors were given to
Couture’s 2012 Cabernet Franc, which was made with grapes from Jones Vineyard just west of town. A judge’s comments stated Couture is “off to a great start with this Cab Franc.” Before the awards event, many people didn’t even know she was making wine, said Couture, who works at Blakal Packing while making wines part time. Couture, who jumped into winemaking with a single barrel in 2011, produced 32 cases of wine in 2013. In 2014, she bottled 200 cases. She expects to bottle at least 500 cases by 2016. With several experienced and wellknown winemakers in the area, Couture has received much support from Freddy Arrendondo at Cave B Estate Winery
and her mentor, Pete Beaumont of Beaumont Cellars. Couture worked for Beaumont for three years. She describes her winemaking style as “low intervention,” relying on good grapes from great vineyards. The science and art of winemaking has captivated Couture, and she feels fortunate to be someone who gets to turn a passion into a career. “It’s this fun mix of science and art,” she said of her craft. “Just the wine itself is alive and it changes on its own.” And winemaking is hard work. It’s not all drinking and hanging out, she said. “I don’t think you could do it if you didn’t love it,” she said. F January/February 2015
Foothills
51
FOOTHILLS CATALOGUE
SHOPPING
The Gilded Lily Home Collins Fashions Mills Bros.
SHOPPING
SALE
throughout the store now til end of February Mon. ~ Sat. 10 am to 5:30 pm • Complimentary Gift Packaging
GildedLilyHome.com • 2 N. Wenatchee Ave. • 509.663.1733
MILLS BROS Mills Bros is the store for making the men in your life look good. We feature the finest in men’s dress and casual clothing, shoes and tuxedo rentals. Offering gift cards and complimentary gift wrapping. 10 S. Wenatchee Ave. • 509-662-2650 www.millsbrosmenswear.com
COLLINS FASHIONS Collins Fashions has your vacation wardrobe from Tommy Bahama and Jams World ! Tees, Aruba zip tops, camp shirts, sundresses, tanks etc, etc!! Comfortable easy care fabrics and amazing staff to style you for your cruise and vacation!! Aloha from Collins Fashions!! 2 S. Wenatchee Ave. • 509-665-7600 www.collinsfashions.com • Follow us on facebook! January / February 2015
Foothills
53
PHOTO BY MICHELLE NARANJO
PARTING SHOT
Autumn’s end and winter’s beginning blend during the first snowfall of the season along the Wenatchee River in Tumwater Canyon.
OOTHILLS
WENATCHEE
◆
LEAVENWORTH
◆
CHELAN
AND ALL OF NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON
54
FOOTHILLS
January / February 2015
Sample Flavors of the Region at the Wenatchee
Presented by Forte Architecture and U.S. Bank
Wenatchee Valley Museum 127 S. Mission Wenatchee Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015 6pm to 9pm ❖ $40 for members, $45 for nonmembers, group pricing available ❖ Sample award winning wines and tasty bites ❖ Live music ❖ Silent Auction ❖ Bottles of wine available for purchase ❖ Event proceeds including wine sales benefit the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center ❖ To purchase tickets or for more information call or stop by the museum – 509.888.6240
September / October 2014
Foothills
55