Jolyn was game for a hike and so we tried one close to Seattle: Cougar Mountain Wilderness Peak Loop. This is us at the summit. No view. Hence, no sense of achievement. And then we read in the hiking book:
"The high point is where the trail dead-ends at a bench in a circular grove of tall trees. Lacking a view or even a single exposed rock, Wilderness Peak hardly passes for a summit, by most definitions of the word."It's about the journey, Kateen...not the destination. Really???
Renuka came and the Mariners won :)
Tried an ionic cleanse...I think I'm ok with a certain level of toxicity. Not real sure what happened there, but it's a pretty cool science experiment if nothing else. The lady said as we were putting our feet in the water: "you may experience slight euphoria." Even at the suggestion of such, I did. What else...stellar acrobats! NANDA. Pictures here don't describe. Would love to see again...and personable too!
Come back soon, Renuka! And bring the fam too :)
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The Upper Enchantments via Colchuck Lake and Aasgard Pass is a decent hike to glacier-polished rock and ice, sparkling lakes, and the jagged edge of the Stuarts range. Notably Aasgard Pass with 2,300 feet elevation gain in 2/3 of a mile is a bit challenging if one's hiking boots aren't fitting so superbly...but anyway.
GLORIOUS day!
Thanks Justin for the panoramas! I do need an iPhone 4.
If only these goats....mountain sheep...whatever they are...were just a little more friendly. Curious creatures. Hanging out up there rain or shine.
Having never been to Washington DC, never having people I knew well serve in our military, never experiencing a significant loss of freedom, and not having being alive during a conflict that affected ordinary days of citizens, I've felt that I lacked a quantity of patriotism. To my chagrin. Yes, I love America and yes, I feel respect for our flag. But truly, I do not understand the cost and my history is foggy. And so, on one of the hottest days on the East Coast, I walked all of the monuments. Felt good. By the way, a Dove ice cream bar CAN melt in a minute and a half.
Washington Monument and Roosevelt Memorial....well-photographed, so surreal to be there.
WWII Monument...one of the newer ones. Very sober for how open it was...and how good it felt to be in or near water on this hot day.
Oh and did I mention there were 150,000 Boy Scouts in DC the same week? They should actually be in more of my pictures. Quite the courteous fellows in line though.
The White House...and the protestors...24/7 protestors. Ug.
The Lincoln Memorial. Here is one place that was just as I expected. Though overridden with tourists.
The Korean War Memorial. And the memorable quotation.
My walking ended at dusk on the capital lawn...relief. On another evening, I took this picture of the ceiling of the Kennedy Center. I saw Mary Poppins Broadway show (great!) and had sufficient time before to contemplate why it is when I'm told I can't take a photo, all I really want to do IS take a photo. Happened in the Sistine Chapel too. Ridiculously juvenile.
Because DC does see a fair share of tourists, there is garbage. And so, the sign amused me.
I need to go back...and use all my maturity and patience on several days of museums....
Twelve of us ran the Cascade Lakes Relay: 216.6 miles from Diamond Lake Resort (almost Crater Lake) to Bend, Oregon. Quite a deal. 2 vans. 33 hours, 7 minutes, 9 seconds. Average time of 9:22. Not bad considering elevation and temperature and slower team members...me :) Most didn't get too much sleep on the gym floor...next time we're bringing WD-40 for the squeaky gym door :) Thanks to Callie and Justin for multiple emails which we all just skimmed believing that they had it under control. They did :)
This for me was testament to the power of peer pressure on adults. Peer pressure to join...well not too much...people are fairly optimistic 6 months out. Peer pressure when you see the van in the distance and you're slogging. Peer pressure when your team drops you off and says "See you in 2 miles. Run hard!"
Anyway, more pictures on other blogs/FB. I think I'd do it again :)
Uncle Phil and Aunt Nancy have invited me over for years. Why-ever has it taken SO long. Very fun weekend with them and Doug & Jill (and her lovely parents!).
This was my longest jaunt in miles and most ferries in one day (3 on the way home). The combination of a scooter and ferry. A perfect solution for this punctuality-challenged lady. Always room. Load first or load last. Perfect.
Anyway...full weekend...lovely entertainment...lovely company...
A feast from right outside the door! Clams dug, mussels picked....oh oysters had to go to the other side of the bay for. Anyone want to go in on an oyster farm...well more than a few anyone's :) Delicious!
It's easy to think of the San Juans as a tourist destination, however when you see signs like this and deer in the walk between town and home, it is clear that it is rural and quiet. Reminds me of my roots.
Fireworks. An annual opportunity to measure photography skill. Until next year :)
Whale watching! Awesome. And not just saying so.
A lavendar farm! Beauteous. But only some things are meant to have lavendar in them. Not so sure about chocolate or vinegar. In honey? YES!
And now, I must go back. How do weekends get filled up...seems like there are never enough to spend with people I love.
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