Beaks and Bills
by Joe Meche
As another year winds down, it seems fitting to look back and see how we fared in what’s become a wearying time in America. The rest of the world appears to be scratching its collective head to see what’s become of our once esteemed leadership role in the free world. I will not … in this format … delve into how and why we’ve gotten to this point. The main thing I know is that to survive we must do all in our power to let this one play out … because it will!! In the meantime, find ways to resist while maintaining your own mental health. Allow yourself to be distracted by your own pleasurable routines and regimens and carry on.
photo: Joe Meche
Yellow-headed blackbird
From our perspective, we enjoy our playbook enough to keep repeating it as long as everyone’s onboard, as well as willing and able. It’s easy enough to plan ahead knowing that we will always have spring and fall getaways, and maybe even a shorter trip or two in between. Destinations/sites are usually determined well ahead of time as we plod through the wet winters that we’re used to. After the chill and damp of a typical PNW winter, our spring getaways are geared toward finding the sun and associated warmth. Fall, on the other hand, is a final chance to soak up more of the same before another winter rolls in … so you see the cycle in full view here.
Sticking with our traditional spring/fall getaway regimen, we returned in September to what’s become a comfort zone for us over the past 33 years of road trips together … Pearrygin Lake State Park. There was a time that we actually scoffed at the idea of such a civilized-almost-sterile campground but time changes attitudes as far as likes and dislikes. Perhaps we’re actually getting wiser as we enter the golden years or at least a reasonable facsimile thereof.
We’ve also graduated from the early days and relative comfort of a two-person tent and sleeping on the ground … which we loved … to the luxury of a wonderful pop-up camper. With an electric hookup, it’s really a perfect camping option. We have back-up lanterns and a wonderful cook stove so we can’t say that we have a problem without a hookup. I’ve also converted my van to accommodate our needs on shorter trips when we don’t want to go through the process of towing the camper behind us. You might say that we have all our ducks in a row, all our bases covered, or any other cliché that might apply.
Our spring trip this year (Beaks and Bills, July and August 2025) was a combination trip where the concept of getting from point A to point B came with a few modifications. The idea was to enjoy the best of both worlds. We van camped for two nights on our way to southeastern Oregon where we spent three nights in a tiny house at the Malheur Field Station on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Then, it was off on another run to a night in the van in a state park campground on a beautiful oxbow bend of the Deschutes River, south of Bend. This was a very pleasant stop on the way to three nights at a marvelous, historic lodge on the north end of Cannon Beach. It was a great trip and planning ahead made it work really well. Before I get too far into reminiscing about our excellent spring trip, I should return to our more recent fall trip to get back on track.
photo: Joe Meche
Virginia rail
As we planned for the late September trip to Pearrygin, the weatherman didn’t have good things to say about the three days we were going to be there. Since we’d be in the pop-up, the only thing we needed was a window of opportunity on arrival to do the setup and get organized. As in so many cases, the weather gods smiled on us and our only challenge was a bit of wind while securing the awning. The wind, in turn, cleared the heavens to the point where we enjoyed a brilliant full moon over the lake. As tired as we were from the long day on the road and all the extracurricular activities, it was difficult to go inside.
The next day dawned bright and clear albeit a bit chilly … but with no wind! We were surprised to see there was no wind on the lake into the afternoon, which is unusual for this body of water. We were left with no alternative but to launch our kayaks for a splendid afternoon paddle. After another great dinner, the weather shifted and brought rain as the evening wore on … and we loved it. There’s something special about camping in the rain while you’re warm and cozy in your chosen shelter for the night. Rain on a roof is one of my all-time favorite sounds … very nostalgic, in fact.
Our fondness for Pearrygin Lake State Park came almost as an epiphany for us, although we mellowed to the idea with a number of wonderful trips there. In spring, the birds are more than adequate for any birder with good numbers of nesting birds at the lake and throughout the Methow Wildlife Area. Short day trips by car lead to even more bird-rich areas, including the legendary Beaver Pond below Sun Mountain. A loop road above the lake leads into Ponderosa forests for possible glimpses of white-headed woodpeckers and eventually to Sullivan’s Pond for wetland birds like yellow-headed blackbirds, Virginia rails, and soras.
If you seek a change of pace from the great hiking trails around the lake or kayaking on calm mornings, hop on two wheels and pedal into Winthrop for the day. It’s only a three-mile bike ride that’s quite easy, especially on the downhill run to town. The return trip is not that difficult, either. On one particular day, we pedaled all the way to Twisp on the quieter back roads. The main flow of traffic between the two burgs stays on Highway 20. With numerous options at our disposal, you might say that we enjoy the Methow experience to the fullest.
You’ve heard me before as I’ve expounded on the positive effects of rejuvenation and I must reiterate. To be able to literally and figuratively go away and feel free of the constraints and pressures of everyday life is a gift . To share that ability with another person is truly a blessing. Whenever Cindy and I exit Interstate 5 at Cook Road and head east, we look at each other and smile with a shared feeling. In the upside down world we live in today, getting away seems to be the best distraction available at this time. Things are sure to change but until then, get away and stay away … and rest your mind.
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Joe Meche is a past president of the North Cascades Audubon Society and was a member of the board of directors for 20 years. He has been watching birds for more than 70 years and photographing birds and landscapes for more than 50 years. He has written over 250 columns for Whatcom Watch.
