Written by Susan | Edited by Pops
Pops and I set off for Winthrop, Washington, to celebrate the wedding of Sweet Baby Heather (SBH) and Dave. Getting to Winthrop isn’t exactly easy, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. We left Spicewood at 5 a.m. to catch a 7:30 flight to Seattle. As it turned out, we were on the same flight as some other VIPs—Ryan (SBH’s brother), Katie, and Kimber (SBH’s close friend and her daughter). I also taught Pops how to use his watch to board the plane.
After landing and picking up our rental car, we headed to Heather and Dave’s condo to meet up and caravan to Winthrop. Anne—Bebe’s sister and the Mother of the Bride—was already in town, busy helping with the wedding preparations. After a quick stop at the bakery to pick up the wedding cakes, our three-car caravan set off for Winthrop via the North Cascades Scenic Highway. Before reaching the scenic stretch, we made a much-needed pit stop at Jeff’s Texas Style BBQ for some hearty sustenance.
After fueling up with some BBQ, we made our way to North Cascades National Park. Until just last week, a section of this route had been closed, which would have prevented us from reaching Winthrop this way. Fortunately, the road reopened just in time for our journey—and we were lucky to experience such a scenic drive.
Our first stop for photos was at the entrance sign for North Cascades National Park.
Our next stop was the Diablo Lake Overlook. Words—and even photos—can’t fully capture the beauty of the view. By the time we arrived, the wind had picked up, creating a hauntingly beautiful sound as it moved through the trees.
Our next stop was Washington Pass Overlook to see Liberty Bell Mountain. However, the road to the overlook was still closed, and we could see the equipment being used to clear it. We continued a bit farther along the highway to one of the switchbacks, where we found a great view of Liberty Bell Mountain. As you can see from the pictures, the temperature had dropped, and snow was still abundant. This section of the highway had just reopened last week after being recently cleared.
As the sun began to set, we made our way to Sun Mountain Lodge, where the festivities were being held. We arrived just in time for dinner and to take in the breathtaking views of the land surrounding the lodge. It had been a long, rewarding day, filled with the stunning natural beauty of Washington.
The next morning, we were up early for breakfast with a view. With some time to spare before our horseback ride, we wandered around the property and took in the peaceful surroundings. The property was blanketed in wildflowers, with one of the most abundant being balsamroot—often referred to as the “Oregon sunflower.”
This was Pops’ first time on a trail ride, and he was paired with a handsome horse named Teddy. Unfortunately, while attempting to mount, he accidentally launched himself over Teddy instead. Though a bit shaken, he walked away with only a few bruises. The rest of the day was spent resting and getting ready for the couple’s welcome reception.
Sunday morning was absolutely perfect for both a wedding and a birthday celebration! The sun was shining, and the winds had calmed just in time for the couple’s special day. Before the ceremony, Pops and I visited Riding Horse Bakery, a charming spot located along the Methow River.
We took a few photos before the wedding but put our phones away during the ceremony so we could be fully present for the heartfelt celebration of two amazing souls coming together. SBH’s brothers, Zach and Ryan, walked her down the aisle. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a photo of Anne in her gorgeous dress or of the beautiful couple in their finery—but trust me, they were all absolutely glowing with love.
After the ceremony, we gathered for a reception filled with delicious food and heartfelt stories shared by the couple’s family and friends. Each speech sparked both laughter and tears, a testament to the deep love and connection surrounding Heather and Dave. It was clear they are cherished by many and have built a community of truly exceptional people.
One especially touching moment came from Little Heather, a longtime friend of SBH from high school, who offered a beautiful alternative to the traditional bouquet toss. The bouquet was instead dedicated to SBH’s mother, Anne. Tim’s presence was lovingly honored through the bouquet, which included a photo of him with Heather and his wedding ring. Anne also wore the wedding ring Tim’s father had once given him, wrapped around her wrist—a quiet but powerful symbol of enduring love and memory.
In the afternoon, we continued the celebration with a stroll around Winthrop for some sightseeing and shopping.
Monday morning, we were up early for our trip back to Seattle to catch our flight to Austin. We took a different route this time, one that offered equally stunning views as it wound through the Snoqualmie Pass. Heather and Dave had kindly shared a few sightseeing suggestions for our drive to the airport. Our first stop was in Pateros at Sweet River Bakery, where we soaked in the sunshine while enjoying some delicious treats—and were even joined by a winged friend.
Our next stop was in Cle Elum for burgers and shakes at Twin Pines Drive-In. Heather and Dave were spot on—the best burgers, hands down. By the time we left, the parking lot was jam-packed. We had arrived at the perfect time.
Our final stop took us over Snoqualmie Pass to the breathtaking Snoqualmie Falls.
We arrived at the Seattle airport about two and a half hours before our flight. Pops graciously let me arrange wheelchair assistance to help him navigate through SeaTac. With time to spare, we took advantage of the perks at the American Express Lounge. The lounge staff coordinated another wheelchair assist from the lounge to our gate, and the timing couldn’t have been better—the gate agent had just opened boarding and escorted us directly onto the flight. I’m pretty sure the last picture is of glorious Mt. Rainier.
We landed in Austin around midnight and were safely tucked into our beds in Spicewood by 1:30 a.m. The next morning, we made a quick trip to the doctor to ensure Pops hadn’t suffered any serious injuries from his brief horseback encounter. He was diagnosed with a separated acromioclavicular joint and a lower back sprain. While sore, he should recover well with time and some stretching exercises.
Though the reason I was able to attend Heather and Dave’s incredible wedding was bittersweet, I know Bebe would have been grateful that Pops and I could share this adventure together. My heart is full from spending time with family and meeting so many wonderful people who are important to Heather and Dave.