Camas Meadows

Blog for Camas Meadows Lodge™. Located on Camas Meadows Natural Area Preserve outside of Leavenworth, Washington. http://www.camasmeadowslodge.com All materials and photos copyrighted 2006-2017©

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Peace and Quiet at Camas Meadows...


Peace and Quiet at Camas Meadows


At one time Camas Meadows was a happening place.   Fortunately, over a hundred years ago Camas Meadows started to receed in people's memories.  Today Camas is one of those special places where nature not man sets the pace for the today.

Not that there is not much going on at Camas Meadows.  Each day we look forward to the happenings of the elk herd.  You can just see the calves grow up day by day.

Last few years, we have had some California migrants spend the summer at Camas.   Yes, the Turkey Vultures have been spending their summer wheeling around in the sky at Camas.  We are not sure why they have moved up to Camas, but it appears that it might be more than people leaving California.

The cool springs have led to a butterfly explosion on the meadow.  Usually, we have had only one species is great abundance, but now it looks like there is more than one species in a population explosion.

Then there is the check to see what new wildflowers are blooming on the meadow.   Of course, at the same time we will need to check on the nesting blue birds and other avian species.

And at nightfall, the happenings continue as you can listen to the calls of the elk herd under a starry sky.

If you get the sense that there are not a lot of people running around Camas Meadows you are right.  Camas Meadows gets even slower on holiday weekends   The meadow is a place that you seek out, not a place the masses seek out.  On holiday weekends, the crowds, traffic, noise, and chaos is far from Camas Meadows.

You can spend your time watching the clouds change.  We do have books to read, mountain bikes to ride, and lounge chairs to nap.   Oh, and we are open for 4th of July weekend and Labor Day.


Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Wildflowers and Sunshine


The Camas has started blooming in the meadow.   The sunshine and wildflowers are typical for Camas Meadows in June.  There is no June gloom on this side of the Cascades.  Camas Meadows is located quite a distance away from the Cascade crest.  So once the intensity of the weather fronts coming with the Gulf of Alaska drop just a bit we are blessed with sunshine for most of the month.

The wildflowers are in full bloom.  Every year is just slightly different.  This year the balsam arrowleaf decided NOT to wait for the lupine to start blooming.


So we will have to wait for the lupine to bloom in a week or so.  By that time the arrowleaf should be going to seed.   Sometimes they decide to bloom at the same time competing for attention.


This year we will have admire the blooms without the distraction of contrasting colors.  Not sure why some years the blooms come at the same time while other years everything happens at the same time.


This year it appears that most flowers are just a bit late including the phlox.  However, the lupine is very late.  So come to Camas and check out the wildflowers and sunshine.  After an exhausting day among the wildflower blooms there is always the deck with its view of Three Brothers Peaks.


We have openings in June and July for the remainder of the wildflower show.