We stayed for 1 week at Wapato Point in the month of January. Our one-bedroom condo was very spacious, with huge sliding glass doors that opened right out to the lakefront. Flocks of Canadian geese were the only other inhabitants in sight! We basically…Read More

We stayed for 1 week at Wapato Point in the month of January. Our one-bedroom condo was very spacious, with huge sliding glass doors that opened right out to the lakefront. Flocks of Canadian geese were the only other inhabitants in sight! We basically had the place to ourselves. If you are looking to unwind in a comfortable lodge that is off the beaten path, this is it.

Just an hour away are two major ski areas, Mission Ridge and Steven's Pass. There's a small beginner and family ski area just 8 miles away called Echo Valley. All of these areas have websites, which is helpful. At Wapato Point, we enjoyed many wintertime amenities - an endless supply of logs for the wood-burning fireplace, cross-country skiing on the premises, snow golf (!) - and there is an outdoor ice-skating rink set up in the parking lot. You can rent skates and cross-country skis from the activity kiosk.

There are about seven wineries in the Lake Chelan Valley, and it's worth it to stop at each one to see what is unique there. At each one we stopped at, we were able to talk with either the owner or the winemaker, something that's not always possible during busy season. All in all, it was a very relaxing vacation!

When You Don’t Know Where You’re Going, Any Path Will Do It’s 10am and the Ohme Gardens parking lot has five other cars besides ours. It’s another shirt sleeve day in the high 70s. We’re one hour south of the resort near another orchard town of…Read More

When You Don’t Know Where You’re Going, Any Path Will Do

It’s 10am and the Ohme Gardens parking lot has five other cars besides ours. It’s another shirt sleeve day in the high 70s. We’re one hour south of the resort near another orchard town of Wenatchee. Two small hostas greet us at the entrance. “We just wanted to build a nice backyard,” Ruth Ohhme was quoted. And did they ever!

These nine acres of serenity, mimicking an alpine experience, were created by the Ohmes over a 25-year period of hard toil: from a weekend passion to a full time vocation.

“What a nice place to sit," says Leanne as we view a stone seating area. Flagstaff stones were hauled up and put in place by the creators. Found along the Columbia River and elsewhere, they help make many nice places to sit throughout the park. The flagstones also provide sure footing along the multiple pathways in the park. Outcroppings of flora sprout from gaps in the rockeries. Ground covers of wild ginger, vinca, and heather spread themselves everywhere, interspersed with buzz cut green grass. Over 140 sprinklers now do the watering chores once performed by the Ohmes with five-gallon milk cans.

We wander the paths aimlessly, sharing space with bees gathering pollen who pay us no heed. They attack the small pyracantha with much gusto. “No wading,” warns a sign near a pond deliciously designed as a wading pool. Imagine a “No eating” sign by the dessert table. Koi and goldfish fry frolic aimlessly in a lower pond’s clear waters.

We make our way to Vista House, passing wind-hardened evergreens huddled together in groups of three or more. From Vista House we have a commanding view to the south of the city of Wenatchee, and the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers. Following any path in Ohme Gardens will surely gladden your heart.

Two noisy Canadian Honkers make a hot landing in Lake Chelan next to the pier as we walk to our departing Lady of the Lake II, a 100-foot, 350-passenger ferry that makes daily trips from the city of Chelan to “up lake” Stehekin. We cast…Read More

Two noisy Canadian Honkers make a hot landing in Lake Chelan next to the pier as we walk to our departing Lady of the Lake II, a 100-foot, 350-passenger ferry that makes daily trips from the city of Chelan to “up lake” Stehekin. We cast off for the four-hour cruise at 8:30am.

As we gather speed between Chelan town and Manson, we are joined by three jet skiers. Like seagulls chasing a fishing trawler, these boys in wetsuits (Chelan water in May is chilly) race amidships, then break sharply across our stern to hop scotch the ship’s wake, showing off for 15 minutes to admiring passengers.

We enjoy the scene change from semi arid foothills to high rise mountains of the North Cascades as our skipper provides vignettes of the history and geography of the lake. “Third largest body of water in U.S. . . Carved out by two separate glaciers 15,000 years ago. . . 1100 feet elevation, with 350 feet below sea level at deepest point” all add to the enjoyment and grandeur of our day on the water. The placid water in the calm of the morning turns to chop as we pass from Winthrop Glacier to Lucerne Glacier. The scattering of houses along the shores, reminders of civilization, seem to disappear altogether after Fields Point Landing. We spot the occasional recluse enclave every half hour or so.

On either side we focus on where the ancient glaciers chewed voraciously at the mountains above lake’s edge, leaving broad swaths of inedible granite boulder in their path. The west bank has cloaked its wounds with carpets of green forest. Gaping sores from the east bank are more readily visible.

We spot the white jeweled peaks of the North Cascades in the distance. They signal proximity to our ultimate destination, Stehekin.

Stehekin, which translate “This way through” was a central place for trading between western Native Americans, and the tribes from North Central Washington. Beaver, bear and bald eagles roam this area. Wild ginger, Western Red Cedar and big leaf maples flourish, where 50 miles south they naturally would not. One hundred twenty two birds, 36 mammals, five amphibians, and eight reptiles all call the Stehekin valley home. We disembark at the landing and quickly load on a shuttle bus to tour nearby Rainbow Falls.

Rainbow Falls
Dave, an ordained minister, is our tour guide and driver. “We have 70 residents here, our own school, a Post Office, and one satellite pay phone. We’re on a road that starts from nowhere and goes nowhere.” After 15 minutes of driving and commentary from Dave, we arrive at Rainbow Falls, 312 feet of “liquid thunder.” This falling snow melt creates a unique ecosystem that surrounds and overwhelms us in the swirling mist. The sound is outrageous.

On the way back to the landing we pass by the Buckner apple orchard, oldest commercially grown orchard in Washington, Dave invites us back in August when the apples are ripe. “ Pick all the apples you want, but you’ll have to share the trees with the bears in the top branches.”

Residents of Stehekin consider themselves as visitors and stewards of the land. Should we return, we likely will opt for a night’s stay in the lodge and spend more time exploring this gorgeous piece of real estate. An alternate ferry departure from Fields Point Landing makes sense: it adds 15 minutes drive time, but cuts one hour of cruise time each way. View the interpretive center at the landing while you wait for your ship.

First planted in Spring ’98, the first grape harvests are starting to make their debut, though most bottlings are from grapes harvested in Yakima and Tri-Cities to the south. We sampled three local wineries. Tsillan Cellars Three miles south of the city of Chelan on Alt Hwy…Read More

First planted in Spring ’98, the first grape harvests are starting to make their debut, though most bottlings are from grapes harvested in Yakima and Tri-Cities to the south. We sampled three local wineries.

Tsillan Cellars
Three miles south of the city of Chelan on Alt Hwy 97, the Tsillan (original spelling for Chelan) Cellars tasting room evokes an image of a Mexican hacienda: high ceiling, arched wood doors with oil rubbed hardware. A lustrous garden pool with waterfall will beckon you to tarry for lunch here. The only thing missing is the bougainvillea. Winemaker Chris Moen brings 20 years experience from the Sonoma Valley of California. About 130 acres of plantings and six Italian varieties will make this one of the big wine players in this area. The first estate bottlings are scheduled for release later this year. Several musicians will perform live on Saturdays through the Summer.

Lake Chelan Winery This historical tasting room just north of Chelan is where we purchase our only estate bottle: a 2002 Pinot Noir. Heady sensations of smoky chocolate and barbecue could make this a winner for aficionados of the red grape. The gift shop offers a good selection of pottery.

Big Pine Winery
Four miles north of Manson, Big Pine turns out to be our favorite winery stop. There's no gift shop, just a simple tasting room, enclosed by timber frame construction. Wood windows frame panoramic views to the south, including Lake Chelan. Our gracious host provides a personal tour of the small but expanding winery. Generous wine splashes and crackers and cheese offerings between tastes adds to our enjoyment. Tel: 509-687-0889

We walk downtown Chelan in search of 15 murals on the town’s buildings. The central theme is the apple, though some are harder to spot than others. We drive through the foothills above Lake Chelan’s north shore. A plethora of orchards under irrigation, occasional drop-dead views…Read More

We walk downtown Chelan in search of 15 murals on the town’s buildings. The central theme is the apple, though some are harder to spot than others.

We drive through the foothills above Lake Chelan’s north shore. A plethora of orchards under irrigation, occasional drop-dead views of the lake, smart family residences are juxtaposed with basic shelter for seasonal laborers.

We spot quail families marching at 240 beats per minute across the road. Their motto: “No quail left behind”. Manson needs more quail crossing signs.

Weather in May in the Chelan area is, of course, unpredictable. You can take your chance on the weather in May, or you can take your chance on the crowds in June. Either way, once you experience Wapato Point and the surrounding area, you’ll never forget where Manson, Washington is. Just remember not to feed the ducks.