Goodbye 2025

On 2025's New Year's Day I watched the sunrise because I had just learned about Hatsuhinode--the Japanese tradition that believes this practice ushers in renewal, hope, and good fortune for the year ahead. But I was skeptical; not only because I don't give much weight to these types of traditions, but because it felt like life in general was getting really weird...sort of like humanity as a whole might be going off the rails. 

And honestly, it still sort of feels that way; but when has it not? And the truth is, even so, it's been an amazing year. This is my 23rd post for 2025 - a record! All wonderful memories of trips and adventures where things somehow always worked out in the end. 

And this last little outing for the year proved the same. I had some ideas for staying at a campground in Newhalem...bad ideas...but I put them out there anyway and asked if anyone wanted to join me. Surprisingly I got three brave ladies who said yes.

First I confessed to them I felt guilty planning something fun in an area that had just experienced such trauma, (this is where the recent flooding hit hard) and warned there was no guarantee the road there would even be open. But we all agreed to just go and see; and to stop along the way and patronize a few businesses that might be happy to see a customer or two. 

First stop was the 5 B's Bakery in Concrete which is 100% gluten free. I'll confess I didn't expect to experience the best carrot cake of my life, but I am now a believer that baked goods don't need gluten to be delicious.

Though gluten or no gluten, calories are still calories, so we stopped at the Rockport State Park for a quick hike to burn a few off. I introduced my friends to what I have deemed the "Grandma Tree" (who I had met in February) though we made it quick because it was DUMPING and we still needed to find a place to put up our tents.  

Goodell Creek Campground supposedly has sites open in the winter, but unfortunately when we got there we found it closed due to what we could only guess was flood damage. We gave up any hope that the winter sites at Colonial Creek would be open and retreated back the way we came, keeping our eyes open for another establishment to patronize. The Rockport Bar and Grill turned out to be a perfect place to escape the rain and discuss a plan b. 

Dispersed camping can be found at the end of Baker Lake, and it was hopeful the rain would turn to snow sometime in the night; so it seemed to be the best alternative. Though I think we were all imagining how wet, cold and miserable we'd be after putting up tents in the absolute downpour we were witnessing out the window. Snow sounded magical in the morning - but the price was a long, cold, dark, and soggy night. 

Then Julie mentioned the possibility of staying at a family member's cabin that was nearby. A few texts later and it was all set...no sufferfest payment would be required for a magical morning of snowy beauty.

So even without total faith in Hatsuhinode, I've sure had my fill of good fortune this year. I may need to get my butt outta bed early on Thursday to bring blessings on 2026...but even if I don't, I'm going to keep believing that no matter how crazy life looks, things are going to all work out in the end. Happy "weird and wonderful" trails to everyone in 2026! A couple "things to know" about our next day's hike on the East Bank Baker Lake trail below for those looking for info. 

Things To Know:

After making the long drive to the northern end trailhead, we were planning on turning around after about two miles of hiking, but this got cut short when we found the river had taken the trail out at just about a mile in.

I guess we could have checked out the Baker River Trail on our way out, but we didn't. (I hiked it MANY years ago.)

Instead we drove to the other end of the Baker Lake Trail (I have done this as a 14 mile end to end as part of my PNT miles) but found ourselves at another washout...once again at only about a mile in. 

We named this one "Grandpa Tree"

It wouldn't have been too hard to scramble down and get across to the other side, but we knew we'd hit the Anderson Creek crossing just another half mile further, which has had it's bridge gone for I don't know how long. So we turned around and got to eat lunch all the more quicker at our final establishment to patronize - the Birdsview Brewery has always been a favorite and their Ditzy Blonde beer never disappoints!  

Until next time my brave ladies!