September means fall which means that it’s time to start thinking about returning to Mexico for the winter. But the last week has just been filled with so many interesting adventures and there is still so much on the horizon here in Leavenworth.

I went to my first ever county fair on Thursday in Chelan. Unfortunately I had no battery left in my phone for photos so you’ll have to use your imagination.

In the first building the 4H kids were displaying all their animals. I have never seen so many different colored roosters, chickens and rabbits in my life! Some of the kids had them out of their cages and perched on their shoulders. We even saw goats vying for ribbons, some of whom would later be sold at auction.

Next we walked through a barn containing cages of pigs. They were all sound asleep except for one. These animals were much larger than I had ever contemplated.

Another building found the walls covered with quilts. There was such a variety of colors, designs and sizes. There were displays of prize-winning vegetables, jams and baking. A pumpkin weighing 611 pounds was prominently featured.

Other buildings housed children’s and adults’ artwork, as well as a display of model trains in a variety of different scenes. There was also a children’s building where kids could play. We skipped that one but did explore one of the tiny houses.

There was a midway for ride enthusiasts, entertainment on stages including a magician and a levitater. There were booths selling jewelry and clothing. The food vendors were out in full force with everything from corn dogs to curly fries to funnel cakes.

On Monday we drove out to Ellensburg. This is a quaint college town and I did snag some photos of the campus.

Next we headed out to Cle Elum and on the way back drove through Liberty.

On Sunday we went to Snowy Owl for Elder Speak, a program sponsored by the Riddle Foundation. This event is aimed at bringing generations together and takes place on Grandparents Day. Interviews with seniors are filmed by high school students. The seniors then come on stage and engage in a panel discussion. Questions from children as well as the audience in general are answered and discussed.

On Friday I went to the Wenatchee Valley Museum. I had been there last summer and was eager to see the displays again. While I had taken photos and videos of the train on a previous visit, the area I find most interesting bans photography. The history of Clyde Pangborn, aka the upside-down pilot, is depicted here. There is also a country store, a doctor’s office and a few other displays in this area. Here are some of the photos I did take.

Tomorrow I’m looking forward to the 9/11 service at Spirit of America in Cashmere. I went last year and there wasn’t a dry eye in the audience. It was such a moving ceremony with an excellent keynote speaker.

Throw all of the above in with my usual routine of children’s ministry at church, volunteering at the senior center, teaching fitness classes and playing bridge and you can understand why the time passes so quickly here. Friendships have grown stronger and Leavenworth indeed feels like home to me. No wonder I haven’t given much thought yet to returning to Mexico.