Four seasons add spice to our lives

When we moved from the west side of the state in 2016 after living in Seattle for over 60 years, we were (and still are) asked the same question by people on both sides of the mountains, “Why did you move to Wenatchee?”

- LINDA REID

Like a mantra, we recite our reasons: more sunny days, less rain, less traffic, lower cost of living, a smaller community, and year-round outdoor activities within easy reach.

We had one more reason that seemed to surprise some of our inquirers.

We wanted to experience living in a place that had four distinct seasons: the crisp, cold, snowy winters, green hillsides full of yellow balsamroot and purple lupines in the spring, the reliably warm (and even hot) summer days, where the moon and stars are visible more often than not, and the unsurpassed brilliance of the fall colors.

Of course, Western Washington has seasonal changes too, but over here they are more obvious, more intense, and cannot be ignored. The snow actually sticks around, spring explodes, summer morning sunrises and balmy evenings are common-place, and autumn’s sunny days and cold nights intensify the broad array of colors, thus prolonging our favorite season.

That brings me to our annual fall discovery tours.

Ken is dedicated to capturing autumn in his photos. This has been a passion of his for decades.