the first day of spring

travelling through a winter wonderland

Yesterday was the first day of spring in my corner of the planet. Four of us had embarked on a road trip ‘abroad’, south of The Border (between the USA and Canada) and we were heading for Leavenworth, Washington for a short vacation. We had left the I-5 some time ago under mixed skies and bare roads, and were now eastbound on Highway 2, and approaching Stevens Pass.

The closer we got, the higher the snowbanks that lined both sides of the highway loomed above us. It looked surreal. By this point it was snowing quite steadily, and visibility at times was very poor. It was nice not to be the one behind the steering wheel.

A red car was driving ahead of us, and while we initially hoped that it would not stall or get stuck as the snow deepened because that would have impeded our progress, it inadvertently became the pilot through some of the hazardous stretches, not unlike Rudolph the famous red-nosed reindeer on that foggy Christmas night. How nice that it was there for us.

And yet desipite the craziness of the road and driving conditions, what incredible views we had. My camera was handy, and so it was kept busy, capturing the scenes of winter unfolding enroute. And for the record, we made it safely through all the snow and arrived in Leavenworth in good time – for which we were very grateful.

That’s it from pix & kardz for a little while. Just had to share this adventure. 🙂
 

 
For lots of creative interpretations of ‘through’ shared by bloggers from around the world, you can get there from here.
 

89 comments on “the first day of spring”

  1. 21 Mar 2012 at 10:29 roughseasinthemed

    Saw this come up earlier and then – it disappeared when I came to read more. Mobile blogging huh?

    But here you are – or rather there you were – and with a great photo too. Love that red in the midst of the white and green. Have great travels in foreign climes 🙂

    Like

    • 21 Mar 2012 at 18:19 pix & kardz

      yes, my apologies for the disappearing act. the joys of blogging out of routine while travelling, what can I say!? tried to update the post before it published, and everything that could go wrong, did 🙂
       
      nevertheless, here we are, and yes, there we were. quite an adventure!
       
      and yet, what an amazing, beautiful area the Cascade Mountains are. have only ever been here during the summer or autumn when it is eye candy well enough. But in winter weather, it felt like driving through the back of the Wardrobe and retracing the steps of Lucy in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

      Like

  2. 21 Mar 2012 at 14:19 gingerbreadcafe

    Amazing what different weather is going on out there! Great photo.

    Like

  3. 21 Mar 2012 at 16:12 Vicky

    K has echoed everything I was going to say, including it disappearing and coming back again, hence the late reply.
    What were you travelling in?

    Like

    • 21 Mar 2012 at 18:32 pix & kardz

      my apologies about the disappearing act. and then when i had hoped it would reappear again, it did not – as i had inadvertently published it as a private post….. urk. think i need to go back to my milestone post and read the advice about taking my time to ensure that i post it right 🙂
       
      in any event, we were travelling in a very comfortable 2012 VW Jetta which has winter tires and did a great job. many thanks to our faithful driver!

      Like

  4. 22 Mar 2012 at 12:46 nrhatch

    That is a rather forbidding vista . . . with snow and pines looming overhead. Thanks for sharing, Kris.

    Like

  5. 23 Mar 2012 at 16:22 Margielatebloomerbuds

    You know Kris, this year, I cannot relate to this even a little bit. We just got back from Chicago and it was 80 degrees there and spring is everywhere. We came home and it is in full swing here too. It looks like you were on another planet, and it is what we should have in Michigan right now! Crazy! Gorgeous shot by the way!!

    Like

    • 25 Mar 2012 at 10:45 pix & kardz

      wow, global warming in your corner of the planet.
       
      our weather is quite a bit warmer than what we experienced on our journey to Leavenworth. the return trip was much more like what i had envisioned – but you are right. it felt like we were on another planet! glad you enjoyed 🙂

      Like

  6. 23 Mar 2012 at 23:04 Caroline

    Spring? I don’t think so! I’ve been to Leavenworth, Washington. It always seems so magical. Great photo!

    Like

    • 25 Mar 2012 at 10:46 pix & kardz

      i know, isn’t this unbelievable?
      Stevens Pass can be host to conditions that are quite unexpected, but this is the first time i have encountered such weather. just had to share 🙂

      Like

  7. 24 Mar 2012 at 01:24 nelson RN

    This is one view I haven’t experience. It’s almost summer here in my part of the globe. Thanks for sharing! Excellent shot!

    Like

    • 25 Mar 2012 at 10:48 pix & kardz

      thank you Nelson. it was crazy weather, that is for sure.
       
      although i have travelled through snow before, have never encountered anything like these conditions before. my part of the planet, which is a few hours away, rarely has this kind of snow, either. 🙂

      Like

  9. 24 Mar 2012 at 03:25 nantuckettiechic

    So refreshing! Not oppressive at all, then again, I wasn’t driving.

    Like

  10. 24 Mar 2012 at 03:31 Weekly Photo Challenge: Through « Ruined for Life: Phoenix Edition

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  11. 24 Mar 2012 at 03:32 Weekly Photo Challenge: Through « Jinan Daily Photo

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  12. 24 Mar 2012 at 04:05 Weekly Photo Challenge: Unusual | Here & Abroad

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  13. 24 Mar 2012 at 04:06 Weekly Photo Challenge: Through | Here & Abroad

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  14. 24 Mar 2012 at 07:17 4otomo

    phew! looks a lot more daunting than you make it sound!!

    Like

  15. 24 Mar 2012 at 07:28 Britten Asplund

    Ohh what a great shot! Looks like full vinter and not spring!
    Here’s a award for your blog:

    Award sharing…

    Have a great day! 🙂

    Like

    • 25 Mar 2012 at 10:54 pix & kardz

      yes, spring was taking a vacation here 🙂
       
      this must mean that you have received a Versatile Blogger award – my heartfelt congratulations to you. thank you for thinking of me for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger award as well. very kind of you. as you may know, i appreciate the honour, however pix & kardz gratefully declines all awards. do feel free to check out my awards page. thank you again 🙂

      Like

  16. 24 Mar 2012 at 07:33 Jennifer Avventura

    Wow, what a brilliant, beautiful photo!

    Like

  17. 24 Mar 2012 at 08:36 themofman

    That’s what I call composition.

    Like

  18. 24 Mar 2012 at 09:09 Jeff Sinon

    First day of spring? Most of our winter didn’t look like this!

    Like

    • 25 Mar 2012 at 10:59 pix & kardz

      thanks Jeff. i know, isn’t it surreal? most of our winter didn’t look like this either. but going on a spring vacation, driving east along good old Route 2 – there it was 😀

      Like

  19. 24 Mar 2012 at 09:18 lifebydmagdalene

    I’ve always enjoyed and loved all your pictures, especially this one!
    It’s picture-postcard perfect! Thanks for sharing….

    @))–>>—–

    Like

  21. 24 Mar 2012 at 10:21 bigsurwriter

    Another superb photo from you. Thanks for sharing.

    Like

  22. 24 Mar 2012 at 10:27 changeversations

    What an amazing scene, yet daunting at the same time. Glad you and yours made it through okay. I guess it’s a first day of Spring you’ll never forget, uh?

    Like

    • 25 Mar 2012 at 11:03 pix & kardz

      incredible, surreal, unbelievable and unforgettable. amazing fits too. and it was a bit daunting for our driver, while the rest of us hung on for the ride.
       
      but yes we did make it through quite well, for which we were very grateful – and we talked about this for days 🙂

      Like

  23. 24 Mar 2012 at 10:32 Weekly Photo Challenge: Through « Changeversations

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  24. 25 Mar 2012 at 06:54 Weekly Photo Challenge: Through | No Fixed Plans

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  25. 25 Mar 2012 at 07:10 Golden « Beijing City Photo 2

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  26. 25 Mar 2012 at 08:30 Cris

    Nice one. Brrrrr……. I’m glad Spring is more or less here in NW MO.

    Please feel free to drop by and view my interpretation of Through:

    Weekly Photo Challenge: Jesse James Through the Looking Glass

    Like

    • 25 Mar 2012 at 11:07 pix & kardz

      thanks Cris. am glad that Spring is more less here in SW BC, too. but that was one incredible road trip in NW WA I will not soon forget. 🙂

      Like

      • 25 Mar 2012 at 16:54 Cris

        I can appreciate that. We’ve had quite a mild winter here. In fact, I can’t recall a winter more mild than this one, although I’ve lived in some pretty high altitudes and rarely saw mild winters there. But even if I did, they weren’t as mild as this winter.

        Like

  27. 25 Mar 2012 at 10:58 suitablefish

    excellent capture of a snowy drive. l like how the photo angels in. I’ve been in that scene!

    Like

  28. 25 Mar 2012 at 13:34 cobbies69

    Almost like going down toboggan run, lovely picture. 😉

    Like

  29. 25 Mar 2012 at 13:57 Arindam

    Great post. Really nice job with this one. 🙂

    Like

    • 26 Mar 2012 at 13:00 pix & kardz

      thank you Arindam. it was unbelievable travelling through this, but my camera was right there, so it was an opportunity of a lifetime to capture these moments. glad you enjoyed! 🙂
      and am glad to be safely back home, too. 😀

      Like

  30. 25 Mar 2012 at 19:37 siggiofmaine

    Your photo took my breath away…having been the leader of the pack and following a vehicle thru the snow.
    I never thought about my car being red or “Rudolph” til I read your words ! That being said, the color of the
    red car is fortuitous and makes for a lovely photo.
    I am thankful the ride was without incident for you….thank you for the photo and the story behind the photo.
    Peace,
    Siggi in Downeast Maine

    Like

    • 26 Mar 2012 at 13:04 pix & kardz

      thank you for your kind words, Siggi.
      it was certainly an unforgettable journey, that is for sure!
      we were praying as we carried on – since there was nowhere to stop. we were in very good hands, and i too am grateful that we made it through OK.
      glad you enjoyed this one. 🙂

      Like

  32. 26 Mar 2012 at 06:42 Patti Kuche

    So that’s where winter went this year! And such a fabulous shot. Glad you made it through this daunting situation and hope you get to enjoy spring soon.

    Like

    • 26 Mar 2012 at 13:15 pix & kardz

      yes, isn’t this wild?
      my camera was having a blast 🙂
      and we were alternately shaking our heads in wonder and amazement – and disbelief – as we listened to the soundtrack of the ‘Sound of Music’.
       
      thanks, it is good to be back home again, where spring is continuing to put in one new appearance after another.

      Like

  33. 26 Mar 2012 at 08:41 The Feists Great Escape

    Nice shot! Reminds me of some winter road trips we’ve had up in northern in Ontario except yours is on steroids compared to here.

    Like

    • 26 Mar 2012 at 13:17 pix & kardz

      haha, thank you for your visit – and welcome to my blog.
      this was the most incredible winter road trip i have ever been on. in southwestern BC we hardly ever get snow like this. and that is fine by me 🙂

      Like

  34. 26 Mar 2012 at 10:31 Cardinal Guzman

    I love the perspective & lines in this photo.

    Like

  35. 26 Mar 2012 at 14:02 spilledinkguy

    Wowza! I grew-up in North Dakota, so I’m used to seeing some serious snowfall, but this is really something! The shot is brilliant, too… you really get an impressive sense of scale here… with those giant banks and enormous pines looming above! A bit scary to be driving in, but eerily beautiful at the same time (as long as it doesn’t stick around for 6 months)!
    Happy to hear your trip was a safe one…
    and to see you arrived with a shot that’s a great one, too, P&K!
    🙂

    Like

    • 27 Mar 2012 at 09:48 pix & kardz

      thank you SIG. it really was the most surreal roadtrip ever.
      and while i am happy to be back home, safe and sound, i wouldn’t have wanted to miss it either 🙂

      Like

  36. 27 Mar 2012 at 08:22 Nandini

    This is a perfect road picture, Chris. Nicely taken. And strange how the weather works. 🙂

    Like

    • 27 Mar 2012 at 09:49 pix & kardz

      thanks Nandini. yes, it was most unusual, that is for sure. i just had to share it.
      and good to hear from you – welcome back to blogging!
      🙂

      Like

  37. 28 Mar 2012 at 14:15 Connie T

    I don’t think I have ever seen snow that deep. It is a beautiful picture.

    Like

  38. 28 Mar 2012 at 17:37 thirdhandart

    Wow… that’s an amazing photo! Looks like a blizzard. Glad you made it through ok!

    Like

    • 28 Mar 2012 at 20:06 pix & kardz

      thank you thirdhandart – it was an amazing journey, and i too am thankful to have made it through. 🙂
      unbelievable weather, actually. but my camera liked it just fine. 🙂

      Like

  39. 5 Apr 2012 at 23:25 2e0mca

    Nasty conditions and great photo. It does help having another vehicle to follow:-)

    Like

    • 7 Apr 2012 at 13:12 pix & kardz

      thanks 2e0mca. yes, that vehicle was actually a big help – although there was a moment or two when it became invisible because of all the snow. always nice when it came into view once again. an unforgettable road trip, that is for sure!

      Like

  40. 9 Apr 2012 at 06:55 Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey « Jinan Daily Photo

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  41. 10 Apr 2012 at 06:28 Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey | No Fixed Plans

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  43. 21 Apr 2012 at 09:54 diggingher

    Cool snap. The contrast of the red car against the white snow is fab and DUOtone hooked you up with the grey background! Thanks for sharing.

    Like

    • 3 May 2012 at 16:10 pix & kardz

      thank you Paige. cool it was – a few degrees below freezing! 🙂
      so it was nice to be in the warm car.
      glad you enjoyed 😀

      Like

  44. 14 May 2012 at 16:46 Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « Jinan Daily Photo

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