Last year on January 15, the Senior Trailblazers headed up to Lost Lake. It was frozen solid when we got there. Almost exactly one year later, today (January 21), we got to the lake to see absolutely no frost or ice anywhere (click on any picture to enlarge). The picture above shows the drainage from Lost Lake. I heard yesterday that Seattle, just down the road a piece from Bellingham, is on track to have its warmest January ever. Our temperature today was in the mid-50's (around 13 C) in the middle of January!!
Seventeen of us met at the Senior Center, a large group. This was probably due to the balmy weather and the promise of sunshine. Although we did have the sun peek out from behind the clouds now and then, it was mostly overcast. The hike to Lost Lake took us up and down about 2,000 feet as we covered more than ten miles. As I'm sitting here in front of the computer, I can feel that I will not only sleep well tonight, but I am sore just about everywhere.
When we stopped for lunch, we didn't have to bundle up as we usually do when we stop to eat after hiking. We chatted and shared stories before starting back. We actually circumnavigated the lake, going up one side and down to the lake, then up around the other side, and finally back to the trailhead.
Do I live in a beautiful part of the country, or what? I am so blessed to have not only these incredible people to take me places I wouldn't know about otherwise, but I have YOU, my very special blogging friends, to share it with!
:-)
I'm looking at about three feet of snow outside! Your hike looked pretty darn nice.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely beautiful; I have a stepson in Seattle,
ReplyDeleteYes, it is very beautiful. You are very fortunate indeed! To live in such an extraordinary place and to be able to hike to see the many hidden areas there is a wonderful thing. The healthy benefits are an added bonus too.
ReplyDeleteWow...I don't know if I am more in awe of the tall tall trees, the wonderful waterfall or the awesome moss lined lake draining in your mild winter woods...wonderful, wonderful shots of what I am sure was a perfect day for you.
ReplyDeleteTake some aleve and have a wonderful sleep, you earned it from all that hiking and fresh air!
It is truly magnificent.
ReplyDeleteFWIW, my husband grew up in the Oregon/Washington area. They left the Texas Panhandle during the Dust Bowl. He still has family in Seattle and Oregon. I've been once to the area; he goes more often. But, someone has to stay behind to take care of the animals, etc. It is workable.
The beauty of the scenery is overwhelming, though. I love you sharing your hiking trips.
I think you get in one day more exercise I get in a week, but then again I guess being pregnant gives you an excuse to be lazy! I'm glad I have your photos to bring me an adventure, looking forward to the day when i can run up and down a mountain again:)
ReplyDeleteThe photos are beautiful, and I'm in awe of all the exercise you get.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos DJan, the forest is gorgeous. It is strange not to have snow this time of the year. We have been having sixty degree weather. This could be a problem this summer, we have no snow pack to give us water. Hopefully the snows will return.
ReplyDeleteIt really is nice to have companions for hobbies and life in general. And to hike in your environment is totally different from mine. Mine are stretches of nothing but farm fields without trees, water or roads/trails. I suppose one could wander off into a cornfield and try finding your way back out.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful, and you are fortunate enough to realize that! I'm certain that you had a wonderful night's sleep. I'd be sore if I attempted half of what you do!
ReplyDeleteI know that it's nice to have the sun shining when you're out but sometimes overcast is the best lighting for pictures. It's funny that ya'll are having such a warm time of it while we are having one of our coldest winters in recent years.
I'm a new reader of your blog. You're right - it's a blessing to be able to "armchair travel" especially when it is so yukky outside. I live in No CA about 100 miles from the OR border so I can appreciate how nice it is to see a sliver of sunshine once in a while, at least this time of year. Plus I have two daughters in the Portland area so I've come to love the "true" Pacific Northwest in the past few years.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tour!