Brits ‘n’ Bumbershoot

The next morning, we drove over to Roslyn – where ‘Alaskan’ ‘comedy’ show Northern Exposure was shot in the 80s and 90s. A lovely spot for rummage sales, seeing V8 chainsaws and acquiring some snazzy $1 trucker hats.

Then back to Seattle, for a weekend of local stuff. Of course, we had to show them the delights of an afternoon sail on Ulithi.

And the dubiously minty goodness of the gum wall at Pike Place…

On the Monday, we headed over to Bumbershoot for honk…

… corn dogs…

… and of course the monorail!

Brits ‘n’ broncos

But you didn’t come here for jaw wagging and gossip mongering, you came to see some horses, some bulls and some wild, wild cow milking. Right, pardner?

There was a great patriotic opening number with the Stars and Stripes fluttering proudly alongside the official rodeo flag of various local companies – very cheesy!

Then down to the action at last…

Bucking broncos!

Steer roping!

Wild cow milking! (Highly amusing).

Livened by a certain amount of rodeo clowning – and the One Armed Bandit and his buffalo (bison).

Brits ‘n’ bandits

Now our Western adventure really begins. Straight over to the Flying Horseshoe Ranch in Cle Elum, where we drop our saddlebags in our bunkhouse and get cowboy-ing.

Aimee and Joe took out some fine stallions on a ride, while Alex and I moseyed on over to Suncadia and did our bush-whacking on two wheels. “There’s a trail here just down there.” (Er, maybe not).

Back for a swim at the Flying Horseshoe then out to the Ellensburg Rodeo – yee ha! Here we are behind the scenes with the One Armed Bandit (more of him later), courtesy of good ol’ JC.

Here’s JC now – the most chilled out security guy ever…

Brits ‘n’ bathyspheres

No sooner do we bid farewell to Emma and family than it’s time to welcome our next visitors. First up are Scott – a journo pal of mine – and his friend James on the first leg of their great American West Coast roadtrip. I shudder to think what this Mustang saw by the time they reached Tijuana.

They overlapped one night with the arrival of Alex, Aimme and Joe from Nottingham. Great to see my old best mate again, and having such a great time with his family!

We did a quick trip around Fremont/Wallingford, and caught a baseball, then headed out on our own Western road trip. First stop: Snow Lake at the top of the pass.

A hot, sweaty and tough hike up – but what a payoff…

We went right over the pass and camped for the night in a charming Forest Service cabin.

Salmon and potatoes roasted on the fire, marshmallows and, oh yes, just a little Rainier beer.