First Hike of 2012!

I was almost feeling like a real hiker last year.  I should have kept going through the winter--maybe bought some snow shoes or something.  I could have gone with the hiking group my friend Cindy belongs to--she's invited me enough times. (I did go once...in the summer, of course)  But because I'm such a wimp and don't like getting cold, here it is spring and I am totally off my game.  I know... I didn't have much game to start with, but now it feels like I'm back to square one.


When I mentioned in my last post that I wanted to hike in Florida, I really was serious. That would have been a much more exciting beginning to 2012--maybe even with pictures of alligators!  But alas, Anacortes will have to do.  Did you know that Anacortes gets about 6 inches less rainfall per year than Mount Vernon? (no fair, right? It's only a half hour away) This makes it a good option for hiking though--and there are a LOT of hiking trials. Enough to make a person like me hopelessly lost; which is why I spent a whole $10 on maps...practically my largest purchase thus far on hiking gear. (unless you count my ipod)


But as I drove into Anacortes and the sun was really shining, I found I was uninspired to hike through forest mazes, and opted to head for Washington Park.  I used to take my kids here often when they were little, and I knew there was some hiking close to the water. (more sun!)

A deer greeted me as I drove into the parking lot

As I hiked along through the bushes, gazing out at the water, I noticed the trail was just paralleling the paved road, (for campers) and finally gave in and just started walking on it instead.  "Sheesh, this doesn't feel much like hiking," I thought, but at least I wasn't having to fight the spider webs.

Hiking?

The 'real' trail

Kids playing by the water...brings back so many memories.

When I came to where the road looped back around, there was a trail that kept going straight. Hooray, some real hiking!  I didn't have a map, and the trail signs were pretty useless in my opinion; so I figured I would just go for as long as I felt comfortable, and then turn around.

This trail was amazing!  Such great views of the water, and I even came to a nice bench to sit and eat my healthy hiking snack. (a rice krispie treat--food for champions)  I figured I should look up the person who the bench was dedicated to when I got home, so I took a picture. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any info...please get back to me if anyone reading this knows her.

This trail was pretty narrow, and in places a little sketchy if you had small kids.  But, I just couldn't stop following it--it was so orange and bright and just seemed to say, "go a little further". (I thought it amusing when I caught myself humming "follow the yellow brick road")

A little like yellow bricks?

The trail finally ended at the cutest little cove.  It seemed like a great place for an otter or mermaid or something to hang out--so I sat down and waited. "God...if there is an otter or seal nearby...could you send it over here?"  I always chuckle at myself when I make these sort of requests to God--it sort of feels like I'm ordering fries with my happy meal.  (can I have a toy too?)  But I think God has a sense of humor, and I figure it never hurts to ask. (no sea creature pics...so the answer was no)

Wait...I think I see a tail.

Getting up to head back, I noticed a sign with actual words on it. "Loop Road"...I saw this sign in the parking lot and thought it was the lame trail that was just next to the road. Humm...seems if I just follow this trail, it should lead back around to the parking lot.  My navigational history told me just to go back the same way I came...but you know how I love a loop.  So I chanced it, and found my way back without a problem. (no thanks to the useless signs) 

Ummm...and this is helpful because....

A sign with directions...what a concept.

So, there you have it...I'm back in the saddle.  Looking at the passing ferries on the way back reminded me of the many trails on the San Juan Islands--Mount Constitution, here I come!

Better save my money...these ferries aren't cheap.

The skies directly over my house.  Why do I live here again?

25 Dates, 255 Apologies, and 5 Romantic Trips In Year 25

  

I made this my Facebook wall.  So corny.

My husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this month. I'm sure my friends and family are sick to death of me bragging about it...but they haven't lived the last five years of our marriage. I'm just amazed and thrilled we got here! I remember hearing the second year of marriage is the hardest, and of course everyone knows about the "7 year itch"...but you kind of figure once you have 20 years under your belt, you're good. Funny how life has a way of throwing you punches you never saw coming.

Sometimes there comes a time in your life when everything you believed and worked for and stood on as solid ground suddenly shifts...and you fall off. (my other blog explains all this) You don't want to leave everything that was safe and sure, but you just can't stand on that ground anymore. And most likely those around you can't come with you, because their ground hasn't shifted. There's nothing more scary, heartbreaking, confusing, and especially lonely, that I have ever experienced. And it's hard not to have resentment; especially toward the one person you really wanted to understand and be beside you.

It's a strange thing that resentment and forgiveness are bedfellows.  You need one to experience the other...how can you forgive unless you've felt hurt? I know there have been much, MUCH greater offenses done to people, (if you can even call 'not understanding' an offense) and situations so painful that forgiveness feels like an impossibility. But I can't compare my life with others; I can only live my own. And for me, the lessons forgiveness teach are worth the pain. Because once you've learned to forgive, you start to experience what grace really is. Grace is freedom, grace is joy...living in grace is experiencing what life can really be. When you give grace, you start to truly understand how much you need it yourself. And then your joy doubles; because not only can you stop expecting others to be perfect, you can finally let go of trying to be perfect yourself, and simply cling to the grace that you know is yours.


I hope to have 25 dates and 5 romantic trips this year, (we've got one down...a trip to Miami for our anniversary) though the "255 apologies" part I could live without. Giving an apology can be difficult, because it requires owning up to a mistake; but I honestly think for me, it's easier than asking for an apology, because that requires a confrontation. Both are important in any truly loving relationship, because giving grace just for the sake of avoiding conflict doesn't really work in the long run. Though what do you do, when for whatever reason, that apology doesn't come? Compassion and understanding for other's shortcomings (because you have them yourself) once again. 

Miami, baby!

Sorry there is no hike to talk about, though I did look to see if there was any good hiking in Miami. (such a shock that there wasn't--so sad we had to settle for laying on the beach with drinks in hand instead.) The weather here in the Great Northwest is starting to improve, so hopefully I'll get out there soon. Maybe I'll get Ken to come with me...do you think that will count as a date? I think if I pack a picnic basket and a bottle of wine I most definitely can.  Time to start planning. 

My kind of hike!

Can I Call This a Hike?

   
It's winter in Washington...which can mean so much rain you don't want to even step out of your doorway, much less do any sort of outdoor activity.  We've had our exchange student come back for a visit this month...poor thing forgot how miserable the weather is around here.  (thankfully, it didn't dampen her shopping abilities ;)  So, I was pretty excited when, despite the weatherman's row of gray clouds stretching on for days, there were blue sky's on Lisa's last day before returning to Germany.  When she was here last time, she missed seeing one of our state's major tourist attractions (Deception Pass Bridge)--but, today was the day.

There are tons of trails all around the area; why not throw in a hike and make the most of the opportunity?  Looking online, I found "Goose Rock", and concluded it was ideal for our needs--right next to the bridge and not too difficult.  Deception Pass Bridge is always fun to show people for the first time, because most people have at least a little fear of heights...and it's high. (180 feet or so, depending on the tide)  Lisa didn't disappoint; she was freaked walking across--but got used to it pretty quickly.  (unlike the lady we had to carefully walk around because she was frozen in her tracks; not easy to do considering the walkways are only about three feet wide with big trucks whizzing by.  That's what freaks me out)
 


The best part, for me at least, is the possibility of seeing seals, whales, or otters...which has happened on occasion.  And being our lucky day, sure enough, an otter poked his head out of the water for a bit. (unfortunately, I don't have a very good camera, so I didn't even try knowing the pictures would have just looked like a dot in the water)  Once we were off the bridge, it was time to hike. (so I could justify writing about this little adventure)  But how far constitutes 'hiking', really?  When my youngest saw the sign for a .4 mile route (one way), she insisted that was as much as she was willing to do.

I understood she was still traumatized from last time, when I tricked everyone into doing an eight mile hike.  (You can read about it on the 'Family Hiking Day' post, but I must say despite it being so difficult, she did awesome.  I credit that to letting her use my ipod, which wasn't charged this time. So, if she only wanted to hike a mile, I wasn't going to argue)


It was over pretty quickly; nevertheless, Lisa seemed to enjoy it and took a ton of pictures.  She always says the forests around here remind her of "Twilight"...the Northwest's claim to fame.  (although, as most people know, it wasn't even filmed here)


Because it was still so early in the day, we decided to drive on to one of my very favorite places ever; Deception Pass State Park.  This is a hot day place, with the ocean on one side and a swimming lake on the other.  I don't know if I've ever gone in the winter, and so I wasn't expecting much.  But when your 11, it doesn't matter if it's freezing...you run into the water anyway. 


Oops Mom, I didn't know the waves would come up so fast.  Yeah, right.




Captains of the washed up shipwreck


We all 'hiked' a little farther down the path to what Summer calls 'the family tree', because whenever we are there everyone has to get in the branches and take a picture.  It brought back a lot of memories...it really is a special place. 



Being as it was Lisa's last day, we thought we should hit one more place of interest that she missed last time.  I don't think our pitiful mile of hiking justified the dozen doughnuts we bought...but they were hot and delicious and we didn't care.  And so, auf wiedersehen to you, Lisa;  I hope your memories of our beautiful Northwest last a lifetime, but your extra pounds of American fat and sugar do not. :)

Thunder Creek Trail

I have a good friend whom I've mentioned on here a couple of times named Debbie. (I won't say her last name, because she's a little paranoid about cyber weirdos) I figured she only reads my blog because I bug her to, and so she can appreciate all the reasons she dislikes camping. (And to check and make sure I'm not razzing her too much!;))

Imagine my surprise when she asked to go on a backpacking trip with me! I won't say I had the impression she's too prissy, because I know she's not. However, I will say she's a bit of a contradiction. How can someone who didn't want to go to a bed and breakfast because they might have to share a bathroom with a stranger be OK with the possibility of pooping in the woods? But then I realized we are all paradoxes in one way or another. Why would someone who won't cry in a movie because they hate anyone seeing them emotional, then go and blab about their life for anyone to read about in cyberspace? Humans are too complex to put in boxes--and aren't you glad?

And so, Princess Debbie made sure to let me know just what kind of hike she was willing to do. (Calling her a princess is funny because I just said we can't label people...and don't forget Debbie can take some razzing!) It couldn't be too long, too steep, too cold, too wet, or too buggy. Thank God for http://www.nwhikers.net/ where you can get all and any information about every hike in the Northwest. (And from real hikers...not posers like me ;))  I finally settled on Thunder Creek trail, though I was a little nervous about the 12 miles. Debbie warned me she hadn't exercised consistently for over a year...and she struggles with shoulder and knee issues. One of the great things about this hike is there's a camp just two miles in, so I knew we had that option if things didn't go well. 

The day of the hike I almost cancelled.  After the forecast changed from rain to sun to cloudy to back to sun, I did a final check to find the possibility of snow. I was thinking that would be a deal breaker for Debbie, and I was pretty disappointed because I already had our packs all set up.

Everything once again borrowed from my friend Melissa and her husband...
if anyone wants to take their place as benefactors, please let me know :)

Ken's solution when I complained that we probably wouldn't be going...don't tell Debbie the forecast. (Deception...why didn't I think of that?) But when Debbie got to our house, she was game on. When I spilled the beans about possible snow, she was all in anyway. When we got to Marblemount to get our over-night pass and the ranger said bear sightings are common, "paranoid" Debbie was actually excited. When we got to the two mile mark, she was barely warmed up. Trees over the path...nothin' but twigs for my princess suddenly turned bushwoman friend.

I was surprised and humbled by her at every turn...especially when I had her lead and she completely left me in the dust. She said not to feel bad, because she's learned to walk extra fast to keep up with her 6'6" husband; but because I'm always trying to catch up with Mel too, I have to face the fact I may just be slow. And when it was time to make the fire, Debbie was all over it. I won't use the word "obsessed", but she was definitely into keeping that fire going.

The only thing Debbie found difficult about this whole trip was going to bed at 9:00 pm. Granted, most people under the age of sixty don't like to go to bed that early, but Debbie is a true night owl and usually doesn't retire until well past midnight. But poking a fire is only entertaining for so long, so what else is there to do but hit the hay? We did extend our fun to a more acceptable 10:00pm by taking some silly pictures in the tent, but then it was lights out for both of us.

In the morning Debbie was back at the fire...a little more challenging without the dura-log (see P.S.) but successful none the less. I think she was stalling packing up by not letting that fire die.  I finally said, "You are not allowed to put anything else on that fire!", but even so she could poke and blow on that thing and get it going even when it looked hopelessly dead.

The next day way gorgeous, (it never even got close to snowing) and neither of us was nearly as sore or tired hiking out as we thought we'd be. It was a completely successful trip--but the best part was hearing Debbie say "Next time we have too...", because I knew she was hooked.  Guess I need to learn to hike faster.

                                                                 

PS.  I almost forgot my hiking lessons.  Lesson # 12-   when camping in an area that is so damp you can practically wring out any wood that's been on the ground, bring a dura-log. They make a tiny one that fits easily in a pack...I wouldn't have known this except for the kind man we passed on the trail who gave us one. (we never would have got that fire going without it)  Lesson #13, make sure you put your water bladder bag in with the tube on the bottom so that the water actually comes out when you suck on it.  (can't believe I'm confessing that...but I figure there has to be someone out there as stupid as me ;)

All Done

I will definitely be buying a tent for my 50 day hike.  That seems like it should be a no-brainer, but a lot of people don't.  To save on pack weight, they just bring a bivvy bag or something like it; because a tent is not really a necessity, but more of a luxury.  It's a luxury I need though, I've decided that for sure.  Unlike my first morning, (when I bolted as soon as I woke up, as if a bear had been lurking in the bushes all night, contemplating whether to eat me or not) I lounged for awhile, built a fire (I probably shouldn't admit that--but I didn't see anything that said not to) and took my time packing everything up. There's just something so much more normal feeling about waking up in a tent...plus bears can't watch you all night. ;)


I headed back down the trail, this time knowing not to take the muddy route, so at least I had some new scenery. Before I knew it, I was in the parking lot.  All done.  I had planned on hiking something else because it was so early...but I was toast.  Better to just admit it and cut the day short.  The only thing I was really excited about were the bathrooms.  (TMI, sorry.  I know there will come a time when there will not be a toilet when I need it, but I'm just not ready for that experience yet) 


I called Ken as soon as I had cell phone service, and let him know I'd be home early afternoon.  Maybe we could even go out on the lake? (It was one of the hottest days of the summer, and Ken's day off)  About an hour away from home I stopped for a cheeseburger, and when I came out my car wouldn't start.  I called Ken to describe the 'symptoms', to which Ken concluded, "Sounds like your alternator's going out".  (I asked him later, "How do you know these things?"..."I just do", he replied, like freaking James Bond or something)  A very nice young man jumped my car, and it started right up.  "Don't worry, Ken, it's fixed!"  (shows you how much I know about alternators)  Ken informed me that it would most likely lose power as I was driving...but not to panic-- just stay in the right hand lane so I can pull to the side.   Don't you love driving I-405?  Isn't it great how every exit is an 'exit only', so that it's impossible to stay in the slow lane?  I wouldn't say I was panicking, but I was not having fun.  And sure enough, the power went out and I had to pull over in a tow-away zone.


Poor Ken...instead of lounging on the lake in the sun, he would be shopping for alternators and driving to Millcreek to rescue his wife.  I've said before that I hate being the damsel in distress, and I do.  But I am thankful...EXTREMELY thankful, to have a man to come help me when I am.  That would be Ken...not the stranger that picked me up on the freeway and dropped me off at the nearest restaurant...though, I'm thankful for him too.  When I called my friend Debbie while sipping my mojito at 'Canyons' (and feeling very sorry for Ken; but not having a drink wasn't going to help him any, right?) she yelled in my ear, "YOU GOT IN THE CAR WITH A STRANGER?!!!"  (Ok, Debbie, I know you weren't yelling...but your tone was yelling, you have to admit)  In my defense, what are the stats of people getting killed while walking on the freeway, vs people murdered by serial killers?   Plus, I figured this guy had to be a do-gooder, because I was a smelly mess.  Needless to say, I made it home alive.  Ken got to the car just before it got towed, threw in a new battery, got it home, and installed the alternator.  He may not be James Bond, but he's pretty dang close. ;)

Meeting Mr. Stuart

Now that I was all settled with my tent set up and my lunch digesting, it was time to decide exactly how ambitious I felt.  I had just hiked for over 5 hours, so I was pretty beat.  Though, people on the Appalachian Trail hike all day, so I figured I'd better get on with it.  Since I was easing into this multi-day hike thing (with seven more years of easing to go) I didn't feel too bad being free of a back pack for the rest of the day.  I had my hydration pack with me, with it's little compartment for snacks and toilet paper, so I was good to go.  (if I indeed needed to go...which I still didn't.  I think the trauma from the night before had me pretty blocked up)


The couple I had just been talking to said they wanted to hike "Longs Pass", which wasn't on my agenda.  He made it sound pretty cool, with a great view at the end.  If he thought his girlfriend could make it up there and back in a few hours, then it couldn't be too hard.  (she didn't seem too thrilled with hiking)  I didn't have much of a map, because when I went to buy the green trails # 209, the outdoor supply place just happened to be out of that one. (figures)  So I printed out that lousy picture of the section I was doing (shown on my last post) and called it good.  It didn't have Longs Pass on it though...oh well, I just headed down the trail anyway.  Worst case scenario is I end up in the parking lot, and I knew at least there I would find signs for other hikes.


This is hard to explain, but when I first ran into the other couple and we were trying to figure out what trial we were on, we both described coming to a Y where branches where obviously laid across one path, so we both took the trail that wasn't obstructed.  How could we have taken the same trail, when we were coming from opposite directions?  When we "back tracked", I showed them the 'blocked' trail, and they said it was different from the one they avoided.  I was curious, so when I headed back down, this time I took the blocked path.  (I knew it had to dump into the main trail--at least I was right about that) Lesson #10...if a trail looks purposely blocked, that means it was PURPOSELY blocked. (again, duh.)  That trail had been washed out and was a muddy mess! 


I wasn't the only curious stupid person though, because a couple with their dogs were trudging up the same way.  I don't hike with my dog when I know I'll encounter lots of people, because my dog's an idiot.  This couple didn't have that same philosophy, and so now I had mud all over my pants from the 'friendly' dogs.  At least I only paid $10 for them at Value Village...and they were really nice Columbia hiking pants!  When I bought them my 20 year old daughter asked me what made them so great for hiking, to which I replied, "Ummm, the material?...and the cool pockets?" (honestly I have no idea, all I know is I'd pay $40 retail)  She said, "Are you sure it's not because they are so ugly that they scare the bears away?"  (she gets that from her father ;)


I eventually came to the other 'blockade', and was finally on the main trail again.  After about an hour from leaving the camp, I came to the sign marking the "Ingalls Way" trail, with another sign that indicated that "Longs Pass" was connected to it too. (Hooray for signs!)  Let me say right here that I hated this hike.  If you like switchbacks, this is the hike for you.  I was SO glad I didn't have my big pack on... I don't think I could have made it if I had.  The only reason I kept going is because I had nothing else to do.  Plus I wanted to see that stupid view...and it had better be good.  I kept looking up to the summit and thinking "Are you kidding me?" As I finally got higher, the views were getting better, and it gave me some inspiration.
But even so, my pace was getting slower and slower...ridiculously slow, actually. I started chanting "you can make it, you can make it...", I mean, it was bad.  And then I at last got to the top.  I'm a little embarrassed to admit that the view brought me to tears.  I've never had that happen before.  I'm sure the exhaustion had something to do with it (and dehydration...lesson #11, if bringing tablets that take four hours to make your water drinkable, plan ahead if you know your short on water!) but that mountain was unbelievable. 


Mount Stuart

 I didn't expect it to be so in my face (Hello, Mr. Stuart!)...the picture just does not do it justice.  And right there was a log, positioned just like a park bench to sit and take it all in. (I think someone must have put it there, because it was too perfect)

It was an amazing moment. (Fatigue can really heighten the senses)  Now to hike back...for three hours.  Man, I didn't feel like I could take another step.  I was out of water, and my hands felt puffy and tingly. (I don't think that's a good sign)  But there was no taxi, so what choice did I have?  Thankfully I had one slim fast left at camp, and by the time 8:00 rolled around my water was ready to drink.  It was wonderful to have a tent to crawl into, and although I only got what I will call 'rotisserie' sleep, it was a vast improvement from the night before.  I'll finish up next time, though it will be short because I only have to hike the two or three miles back down to the parking lot.  But the drive home is another story in itself.



View from inside my tent



Second Day on the Esmeralda Basin Loop

Beginning where I left off: I was fully awake and feeling great at 6:00 am.  This is not something that happens to me often, if fact, it's quite an anomaly.  (especially if I've only gotten about 3 hours of bad sleep)  I can only figure I had an adrenaline rush going--because I didn't just feel great, I felt unbelievably fantastic.  I felt like I could conquer the world.  I can compare it slightly to how I felt after having my babies.  That sounds weird, but the amount of fear and uncertainty was similar (the pain factor was most definitely not similar...though I wouldn't call the un-inflated mat exactly comfortable either) as well as the intense feeling of relief that it was over.  I had my steak and eggs breakfast that thankfully no bears found (a hard boiled egg with beef jerky) and hit the road.  I went--I'm not kidding--less than a quarter mile and came upon the lake.

With the really quaint little campsite that would have been so comforting...


but had I found it, I wouldn't have had such a great natural high going, so I didn't mind so much.  I was glad it wasn't so late in the season that there weren't any wild flowers left.  Others had described seeing tons, but I was thrilled to see as many as I did.  So many beautiful fields full of them...it was lovely.

Coming up and over the backside of Fortune Creek Pass had some decent views of the surrounding mountains, though this one (Harding Mountain?) still had some of the 'ominous' clouds from the night before surrounding it.



I had read there were some campsites at the top of the ridge, and I kept looking for them, but never found them.  There was no way I was going to get caught in the dark again...I was going to find a great campsite and I was going to figure out how to put up that darn tent if it was the last thing I did!  So I kept chugging along, keeping my eyes open for a good spot.  Coming down there was some steep and slippery places, and I took a bit of a fall.  No blood, but I did drop my camera. (lesson #8...don't hike with your camera in your hand. Duh.) Even though it's an old and not terribly expensive camera, I was SO thankful I didn't break it. (I really wanted pictures of my first two nighter!  Plus, what if I saw a mountain goat and couldn't take a picture!  That would have been dreadful)  I came to a fork in the road, with no sign.  I looked at my map, and saw there was another trail (Ingalls Way...bad picture of the map, but it's on the right) that split off of the one I was on.  It wasn't even noon yet, so I decided I'd take it.  Adventure!

I ran into a couple coming up, swallowed my pride and asked, "Do you happen to know what trail this is?"  They told me they were going to ask me the same thing.  They said they were looking for Longs Pass which is off Ingalls Way.  I said, "This is Ingalls Way, isn't it?"  They said, "Oh no...we just came from the parking lot for Esmereda Basin".  HUH?


I decided to hike back up to the fork in the road to try and figure things out.  They hiked with me and asked me a bunch of questions. (I guess I looked like a real hiker...who has already acknowledged she doesn't even know what trial she's on.  Humm...these people were stupider than I thought. ;)  The woman was particularly impressed that I was out there by myself.  "Do you have bear spray?"  First of all...I don't even know what bear spray is. (deodorant for bears maybe?)  Secondly, assuming it's to ward off a bear attack, what are the chances I'm going to find it in my pack in time while a bear is charging me?  No--I already wasted money on rope I'll never figure out how to use to hang my food...I think I'll pass on the bear spray.  Anyway, we got back to the fork, only to find out it just lead to a camping area.  They decided to go back the way they came, figuring they passed the Ingalls Way turn off;  I decided this was the perfect spot to pitch my tent! 

So we come to hiking lesson #9...never assume that a trail going off the main trail is the one your looking for, unless it is clearly marked.  But I was very happy I had back tracked--because look how cute my little spot is!  And even though I was the only one there, it felt safe. (I know, I know...it's only psychological, but psychological safety means you sleep better, so it's important)  After getting all set up, I sat down to have lunch and think about what to do next, since it was only 12:30.  I'll write about that next time. (you already know how much I can drag these stories out...and if you don't, just read the "Chain Lakes" saga)