Today, 15 Senior Trailblazers met at the Senior Center (who would have guessed, in the rain?) to carpool for a hike on an old road up the Middle Fork of the
Nooksack River. Although the above picture just shows the men, half of the hikers were women, including me. I was so happy to be back with my cohorts, after having missed only one week, it felt like three.
The original plan for today was to head up to Sauk Mountain, a long drive for a short but usually very beautiful flower-laden hike. But so far this year, the road to the trailhead isn't even open all the way up, and the flowers are probably a little behind schedule. So instead we hiked four miles up the road, with a hopeful view of the Twin Sisters. However, they were hidden most of the time behind the clouds, as we coped with light rain and cool temperatures. Since we went up 2,000 feet in four miles, I was glad for the cooler weather.
When we stopped for lunch, you can see that the clouds still threatened to unload even more rain, but by the clothing you might surmise it wasn't really cold, and you would be right. The temperature did seem to drop when we stopped, because we were drenched after the uphill trudge. I walked over to snap this picture of the Sisters (click any picture to enlarge). It looks almost like steel, but this is a color shot.
The clouds seemed ominous, but we are nothing if not hardy, as well as prepared for any weather conditions. One thing about hiking in this part of the country, you must carry rain gear with you even when it's hot in town and there's no chance of rain. In the High Country, it's always a possibility.
As we were walking back down, I saw this juxtaposition of little purple flowers, old wood, a rock outcropping, and new leaves in the foreground that caught my eye. The day was very renewing in many ways, not the least of which was the company I was with, as well as my trusty camera. And you, dear reader, with whom I love to share my weekly hikes.
:-)
Glad you were able to join your friends and share another hike with us. Amazing beauty. It never gets old to me. Every day is a new day to be amazed all over again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful area. Thank you for including us with whom you share you hikes. It was almost like being there.
ReplyDeleteI loved the last photo with the wildflowers and the rugged rocks...just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteSuch hearty souls, you are! Love that last pic!
ReplyDeleteI know you missed your hiking buddies so it was great to hear you were together for another hike. This sounds like a good place and the photos are so good. The one with the look of black and white is so interesting. The last photo of the wildflowers and wood and rocks is an excellent photo. Really good picture.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, my comment did not go through. Here it is again:
ReplyDeleteYour rain gear must mean a bulky back pack that includes an umbrella. You have incredible strength that puts my weak body to shame, DJan. I truly admire these hikes.
I love that first photo with the group walking towards you and those gorgeous mountains in the background. It sounds like a great, invigorating hike. Wise words, always pack that rain gear for the mountains.
ReplyDeleteWow DJ, you toured me to a very nice place. I love the name Twin Sisters, it sound intriguing and how they hide behind those clouds, sounds like they're both shy haha. Anyway, that was one fund adventure hope to see another hike of yours soon.
ReplyDeleteWe're ahead of schedule here. The raspberries are almost done, where as last year they were just begining.
ReplyDeleteI really like that last picture. Very pretty with the flowers against the rocks.
ReplyDeleteLove the last photo with the wildflowers..very pretty! Another great hike!:)
ReplyDeleteI so admire your mettle. I'd like to be that active when I'm your age:)
ReplyDeleteThat second picture is stunning. It really does look like it's shot in B & W, doesn't it? The last picture has so many nice contrasts in color and texture. It's fantastic what you do with your little camera!