Advertisement
Published: March 27th 2009
Edit Blog Post
Peshastin Pinnacle
Turns out employment offices aren't picture worthy...this will have to do! Woke up this morning bright and early to a window filled with sunshine and Wedge mountain. I grabbed a hot shower and took my laundry out of the drier and folded it up and put it all back in its proper place in z suitcase. Then, before i knew it, twas time to head out the door and make my 9 am appointment in Wenatchee to get qualified for general labor temp work through an employment agency.
After spending two hours knocking out qualification test (which had about 20 questions about my drug use, 20 about my drinking, and 20 about my theft issues, and then of course 10 or so nearly normal questions), and then safety training (which was actually pertinent and informative rather than the inane screening test which only a dead man on crack could fail), I was told I was good to go and could come back any day at 6am and have a shot at getting work for the day...not a bad start.
But I needed some alternates, so I spent a few hours filling out apps at the Red Robin, a burger joint, Wild Cards Bar & Grill, and Lowes. Next I sat
down at starbucks and sent out a few resumes/cover letters online. It was getting to be about 1pm, and a beautiful day seemed to be passing me by so I decided to hit the road and head for a Brown sign.
What I found was Peshastin Pinnacle State Park. Time to bag yet another Pinnacle I thought..(first Pinnacle Peak in Arizona, then REI's Pinnacle Peak in their flag store a few days ago- woops didnt get a chance to write bout that lil adventure of urban bummery- anyways now Peshastin Pinnacle). A beautiful roadside attraction that climbs steeply into the hills with a scattering of mammoth rocks jutting out of the ground - a playground for rock climbers. As I started up the hill, my phone rang - SCORE - a local winery I had found on craigslist wants to interview me next week for a wine tasting sales associate position. Works for me! I haven't blogged about it yet, but I've hit up two wine tastings this week, one near Mt. Vernon and a second here in Leavenworth. The Vineyard that was calling me was based near Canada, but had a tasting room in Leavenworth that I might
Charred Vale
Interesting to see be able to work in. woot woot. Anyway...
As is my tendency when the direction is available, I went up, switchbacking back and forth up the hill, checking out the neat rocks and the wonderful views of the Wenatchee river below, with the Orchards filling its valley, and the snow-covered Cascades looming off to the west.
I got to the top up some pretty steep slopes, going past the State park ends here signs, hesitating at the Private Property No Trespassing Sign long enough to sing "Sign Sign Everywhere a sign, Blocking out the scenery breaking my mind. Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign" then filled with rock n roll spirit, stuck it to the man and went to the top and checked out the charred vale on the other side of the hill.
My way down this steep slope started easily enough, but I wasn't backtracking, I was carving a new path. Eventually, this led me to the top of a pretty shear cliff, and my initial attempt to go down the side of it led me to a nice looking tree that had a solid bit of webbing rapped around it
- obviously someone else had attempted this descent, however, they had had the luxury of a rope apparently. As I didn't, I decided it was time to go back up and try another route.
Along my way down this route there were some pretty steep bits that had very loose dirt, and I snagged a very long and solid stick, about 9 feet long I'd guess, which ended up being a crucial piece of gear as I slowly worked my way back down to a trail. Once I hit the real trails and switch backs again, I got back into the skipping run that I enjoy so much.
I was ready to head for the car until I smelled climbers in the area. I surveyed the landscape and sure enough, there they were, just a few hundreds of yards away. I changed course and went over and said ello. Turns out they were a bunch of friendly fellows, three brothers enjoying their spring break. Soon their fourth and eldest brother arrived - a local who ended up getting my number as he was interested in rafting sometime. Good to be meeting some local folk who enjoyed the outdoors.
Sign says...
well, lets not talk about that On my way home, I stopped in Leavenworth's main street to talk to the Cafe owner who was hiring a waiter, and found out that they had filled it with someone they knew, but she told me she would put a note on my application that I stopped back and maybe she might have some work soon. lah dee dah.
Then I got a call from my Mom and found out her and my brother Nathan would be coming out for my graduation on May 2nd and 3rd and rafting with me. I was very excited to hear that.
Time to head home and cook up some Ramen I thought. So off I went, but when I got home Angie offered to share a wheat salad she was making with me if I didn't mind waiting a bit. Sounds good I thought. While we waited for the wheat to soak she took me down to the put in for whitewater boats in the area - through the private property of some folks she knows and who collect a small tariff from the rafting companies.
A bit after we got home, while the wheat was still soaking,
My first descent attempt
that lil tree on the left...yah, that isnt a walking path my third room-mate, Fatima, from Paraguay, stopped by with two of her fellow South American Co-workers and one of Angie's friends Judi. They hung out for a bit, but departed before dinner was ready.
Dinner ended up being absolutely fantastic. Angie made some organic mac n cheese, the wheat + lemon + onion + oil + parsely salad, and some really interesting sausage+mushroom+red pepper paddies. After expecting a dinner of ramen noodles, I was delighted to have such a fulfilling meal. Not to mention I get to chow down on the rib meat of some short ribs Angie grabbed for her dog in order to get the bones tomorrow night.
Ah, things are going well here in Leavenworth, I think I'm in for a great month - and I might actually have the time to catch up on my past tales too. For now, time to head to bed, getting up in the dark and early pre-dawn tomorrow to go make some mullah!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.086s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 9; qc: 50; dbt: 0.0488s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb