Ruthi drove up to Trout Lake to visit the college sorority sister (Mary Barsotti Calahan) who had convinced her to move to Alaska back in 1971. Ruthi travelled up there via Interstate 84 to WA141 and returned via WA141 and 14. While the interstate was a bit faster WA14 felt like the “old” new Seward Highway (in AK) before they put the 4 lanes in – water on the left and granite on the right (heading North in AK and West in WA) – brought back a lot of memories!
Trout Lake is located in a valley below Mt Adams which again reminded Ruthi of how Denali towers at the end of the highway as you approach from the South. Mt Adams was still covered in snow and shining bright. Ruthi and her sorority sister reminisced about old times and enjoyed the bright sun and surrounding valley scenery. The valley is currently completely organic in the approach to the vegetation and livestock. They produce organic milk, as all of the dairies abide by the restrictions of “organic”. There is also an herb farm (Trout Lake Farms) which is also organic.
Then Mary took Ruthi by the ECETI Ranch (http://www.eceti.org/). Check out their website. They claim to have seen (and still are seeing) numerous UFOs above the ranch near Mt Adams. So besides the rafter/kayakers tourist come up to the ranch during the summer months – makes for a quaint town attraction.
