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| Wet trillium were everywhere |
When I walked into the cafe this morning to get my regular latte and some lunch for today's hike, my usual server commented on the fact that it is too bad that we didn't do our hike the day before, because it was sunny and beautiful. Not so much today: it started to rain last night and continued right on through the day. Even so, six of the hardiest Trailblazers showed up for our trip to Olsen Creek. Not everyone was happy to be going out on another drippy day, but we went anyway.
This is Olsen Creek, which we had to cross, but not here. We hiked on an old logging road for a bit before taking a very muddy and rather miserable trail to get to the creek where we could cross. The brush had grown up quite a lot, giving us what didn't look like much of a trail at all in places. If you had been there, you would have heard a lot of grumbling and misgivings that we were indeed on any trail at all. But Al didn't lead us astray. Here's a shot that gives an idea of how sketchy the trail was.
There really IS a trail under them, and Al is reconnoitering at this moment while we waited. We were all dressed in our rain gear, except for Mike, of course, who had folded up his umbrella for a while so he wouldn't have to wrestle with it as we climbed over and under lots of fallen trees. We finally crossed the creek and started uphill to get back to the logging road before heading home. Many spots of the road are in dire straits, making us realize that in time, the whole place will revert back to nature.
When we stopped for a quick lunch, we realized that the rain was not falling as heavy as it did last week, but we were hampered by even more muddy and treacherous spots underfoot. If not overhead, the rain gets you one way or the other. Sometimes we get lucky, but today, it was just one of those times when you are glad to be outdoors and not stuck inside. We knew that we had good rain gear and that we would be nice and warm and dry and glad we did it. Afterwards.
Just to give you an idea of wet and cold it was, Linda had put on her down coat underneath her raincoat when we had lunch, and both she and Ward are dressed for the downpour. Mike, as I've said before, doesn't seem to belong on the same hike, but there he is, if not dry at least he's happy. We covered more than eight miles with 1800 feet up and down before we made it back to the cars. Now it's time for me to enjoy my well-deserved glass of wine and settle in for the evening. Although I'm tired, no longer being wet and being out in the rain makes me feel very happy about life. Another hike under my belt!
:-)
wow...rain nor mudslide nor....are you sure you did not work for the post office at one point...smiles....wow a big chunk of that road is gone..well hopefully you enjoyed it...
ReplyDeletethat mike cracks me up! such an odd one! :) i like the way you said the rain would get you one way or the other - on top or underfoot.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure Mike is not an alien from another planet and lives for the out-of-doors. ha,ha He certainly is a hardy fella - I like that. WOW, that photo does not look like a trail to me. You all look kinda lost in there and the road is slowly going back to NATURE, just slippin' away. We spent our day on the water in canoe today and covered quite a bit of river before heading back. Saw a Moose and a bear( and the bear's den) and the largest turtle I have ever seen in my life, sunning on a rock - love just passing by and watching NATURE and LIFE.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a treat to read about your wet adventures, with obvious good humor all around! (Well, there was that bit about the grumbling . . .)
ReplyDeleteI would not have kept on with the sketchy trail you were traveling. You are all just simply amazing to me. I am so thrilled to learn from your wonderful experiences.
It was super rainy and windy here today, knocking down trees and wires in several places. But, the sun is shining brightly right now, so it's all good!
Unintended I finally matched you DJ getting wet. No witnesses in my case though. Waist high Neoprenes on wading in 2 feet of ice cold trout water plus a long sleeved shirt and vest I tripped on a rock and did a fall on my face. Brrrr,,
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm glad you enjoyed it, or at least enjoyed the opportunity to exercise in nature. That's not for me. I fear I am a fair weather hiker. But I certainly got cabin fever today.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the saying? I like hitting my head with a hammer because it feels so good when I quit. So when you go out for a strenuous day it's good to put your feet up and relax. Feels great!@
ReplyDeleteI do believe you've hiked in rain almost every week this season. Your numbers seem to be shrinking. Some of them must not be as hardy as you.
ReplyDeleteJan, I love to enlarge your photos and get an even better look. The one of Olsen Creek is beautiful!! It looks like a postcard, and I can certainly tell from the water that rain has fallen. That is a lovely photo. You are one industrious lady. I admire you greatly, and like TexWisGirl commented 'Mike cracks me up'...I heartily agree. He makes me smile too. What a great group of friends you have.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the server's comment where you get your latte, I would think that she should know by now that your group only hikes in the rain!! :)))
Hugs,
J.
I suspect I would be another Mike. I have waterproof skin and get overheated in any sort of raingear which actually works.
ReplyDeleteWet or not, it looked beautiful and you certainly earned your glass of wine. I am enjoying my (unearned) glass here as well.
I'm not sure if I should say 'crazy' or 'adventurous'....knowing your group and you, I'd have to say more adventurous than crazy. But me? I would've much preferred a dry place indoors with a latte [even if I don't drink coffee] and a good book to read. Altho, I've been known many times to go out with the threat of a hurricane in high winds and dangerous tides...just to be with nature. But today...take off the cr and add an "L" ---I'm lazy that way this morning. But...on second thought, I would have missed all this beautiful outdoors!! Wow....I can see that the trail was definitely giving you all a disappearing act in that one photo. And the eroded logging road is kinda spooky; not knowing if it'll wash away as you take another step.
ReplyDeleteYou're all so brave and such a swell group....I envy the trails you have.
Walking in the rain can be fun. It tends to invigorate and make us feel so lucky to be alive. A little harmless adversity always justifies a nice glass of wine. Your photos are always so educational. The great outdoors can be very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI love that 'Mike doesn't seem to be on the same hike'
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the rain but I don't know about hiking in it
I am a fair weather hiker. Kudos to you for going in all weather.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by and cheering me on with my writing. I have another blog and that is actually where yesterday's post was supposed to land. If you liked it, you might like the other blog. I do it just for me.
http://wordofblessing.wordpress.com/
not for me. how come you don't catch pneumonia from the wet dreary weather and exertion???
ReplyDeleteYour happiness and delight in the hike was felt even by me, DJan. Does thunder and lightening ever accompany the rain? Our April showers have turned into very strong thunderstorms here!
ReplyDeleteWhat strangely haunting photos - especially the one with the touch of fog. You re a much hardier soul than me!
ReplyDeleteSometimes your group reminds me of the great explorers! They never gave up either! :)
ReplyDeleteYou guys are real troopers! And Mike cracks me up in his shorts.
ReplyDeleteThat creek looks pretty big and the water's running fast. I take my hat off to you.
Safe travels and happy trails.
jj
You certainly are a determined group to not let the weather hold you back. You'd have to be very careful of your footing in areas, wouldn't you? It must feel quite satisfying to get back from a hike and reflect on your achievement. Well done!
ReplyDeleteMike just made me smile...good on him! Of course, I'd have been shivering away. lol
The photos are beautiful!!
For some reason, I could only see one of the pictures on your post today, so I'll come back later and see if they've appeared. I suppose you have to take the rainy days with the dry ones and as you say - another hike done and banked in your memory.
ReplyDeleteAh good, got the pictures this time. Lovely they are too.
ReplyDeleteOur Thursday was wet and soggy too. You six are the hardiest of the group to be out in that kind of weather. Of course, as you said, it beats sitting at home.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE mist while you're walking, but ummmm... the cold and wet is daunting. I love your photo of the trillium.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing! Mike, too.