Thursday, March 14, 2013

Not a drop of rain

It wasn't a stunningly beautiful day, by any means, but we caught a nice dry spell in between two significant rain events, so we were very happy to have cloudy skies without so much as a drop of rain. Eight Senior Trailblazers hiked the British Army Trail on the south side of Blanchard Mountain. Why is it called that? Well, exactly a year ago we hiked this same trail, and I wrote about it and explained why it has that name here. (If you're interested, it's all in the link.)
Although the trail is well marked, we had plenty of the recent rainfall running down the middle of the trail for much of the day. Soggy and a good reason to have waterproof boots and gaiters. The British Army Trail is part of the Pacific Northwest Trail system, and we spied a stash of goodies that has been strategically placed for those who are on the trail for a long time and might need a treat.
The container is filled with energy bars and even some chocolate bars. That is Al's water bottle which he put down so he could display the sign for my picture. I don't think there is any shortage of water on this trail. In fact, we ran into a place where a stream crossed our trail. You can see that the trail continues on the other side, and we decided to find another way to get across.
It was impossible to jump across it, and the water was flowing by with determination, just waiting to get our feet wet. We looked for another way to cross, giving us a bit of a chance to earn our "Trailblazer" moniker. We still had to leap across slippery logs and managed to keep any of us from getting wet. Plus the day was wearing on and still no rain. We were beginning to think that the forecast of a 90% chance of rain might not pan out.
 We made it to Lily and Lizard Lakes and saw plenty of signs that the beaver are happily building their dams and lodges, getting ready for the spring. Lots of gnawed and downed trees, and we saw that this side of Lily Lake is at least a foot higher than we expected it to be. Nice little dam there, beavers!
At the end of the hike, we had been invited to have hot soup, chili, and toasted cheese sandwiches at Mike and Mariam's nearby home. We walked in a bit after 1:00pm, starving, and were treated to the best cheese sandwich I've ever had. Not to mention tomato bisque soup, a nice garlic chicken and veggies, hot coffee, and Costco's famous muffins.
Mike and Miriam, our exceptional hosts
I guess I should have realized, after an eight-and-a-half mile hike, 1,700 feet up and down, and then a meal like that it would be hard to gather myself up and get home to write this post. It was a most wonderful day, as usual, but we don't always get to stuff ourselves with fabulous food afterwards.
At least I wasn't alone in eating more than usual. Of course, my weight loss app reminded me that I had burned more than 1,000 calories during the day, so it wasn't going to be a problem. And then when we walked to our cars to leave, it began to rain!

As I sit here many hours later, watching the rain fall outside, I realize that I might not get as hungry as usual tonight. I won't skip dinner, though. I am way too fond of good food and good company!
:-)

24 comments:

  1. even if you had rainfall at your feet, nice you got a break this week from it overhead! and that meal sounds awesome! love your group of pals!

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  2. Happy you got a little rain break. Nothing beats good food with good friends.

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  3. ha...after that i bet it was the best cheese sandwich you ever had....and i bet the soup was welcome as well...cool to see the beaver activity too...

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  4. When I looked at the Weather Underground radar map this afternoon, I thought of you because it looked like you were getting wet. But now I see that you were out of the woods by 1:00, safe and dry.
    We had a dry day too. It just started raining lightly about 6:00 here.

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  5. You had a very lucky day. No rain and fantastic food.

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  6. I looked at your photos from a year ago..there was a little snow then. Interesting to go back and compare the years. Glad you had a good hike and a great meal:)

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  7. I notice that you had one less trail blazer this year. I hope they are sorry. Much nicer weather AND a fabulous meal.
    I loved seeing the industrious work of the beavers - and indeed, as usual, all your photos. Thank you so much.

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  8. Your photo reminds me of a relatively short hike I took once in similar weather after which I was sore in ways I didn't recognize. Or didn't associate with anything as virtuous as HIKING, anyway. Then I remembered I'd straddled the mid-trail river for miles.

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  9. A 1,000 calories? That's fantastic! How wonderful to have a lovely meal together with friends after doing such a climb. It may not have rained, but it sure was plenty damp. I do love that mist. And how thoughtful and kind to put that treat container for people.

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  10. Sounds like a great hike and a wonderful lunch afterward. I love the photo with the misty light in the trees.

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  11. What a wonderful day, DJan! Wow! I am all for a party like that and would have downed that chow in no time. I am glad it didn't rain during your hike.

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  12. You always amaze me DJan with your hikes, swimming multiple laps and sky diving...although I think I remember you saying you were hanging up the sky diving?

    Grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato basil bisque soup is one of my most favorite comfort foods.

    Big hugs to you my dear friend...

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  13. It sounds like one of those hikes that brought a measure of adventure as well. Not to mention a lovely meal!

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  14. Sounds like a perfect day I like that someone left a jar of goodies on the trail. And those goodies at your friends' house sounds marvelous. One thousand calories! Yikes.. I need to move more. :)

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  15. Glad to hear you had a raindrop free day at least on the trail. That stash of granola & chocolate bars stashed along the way is a great idea. From the looks of that dam the beavers are almost as energetic as your hiking group. LOL!

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  16. Oh I just popped over from Red's blog when I seen your photo of beautiful trees on his sidebar. I am so happy I did WOW that is a trail I would truly love to hike. I enjoy the great outdoors. Your photos are beautiful and the water is a sure sign of the times these spring days. Lovely lunch and group of friends to share with afterwards is a nice bonus. B

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  17. Thats quite the dam. Busy little beavers there...;)

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  18. That was another nice hike with a bonus waiting for you with the treats, thoughtfully left by the trail. The water looks so clear and that shortcut you took to cross the water looked a bit tricky, but then you are DJan and you conquer obstacles, right. I saw the water running down the middle of the trail, but at least you didn't get rained on and had a lovely meal with friends at the end. Great photos DJan and lovely post.

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  19. You burned that many calories? Wow. I need to walk more. Yesterday a gal pal and I walked inside the auditorium. It is left open for walkers during the winter months. Too icy out here to walk much on the sidewalks or streets. The pictures are so good and the after hike get together sounds wonderful. What a nice couple.

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  20. Your walk looks so slippery and dangerous. Do take care D-Jan !
    Very beautiful though...
    Lovely food. Can I skip the walk and just have the food with you?

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  21. I think the world has stopped turning!!
    NO RAIN for you!
    Unbelievable...
    And you know that I am always in awe of your spirit and your spunk.
    You have plenty of both!!

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  22. I've been absent most of the week, so I'm trying to catch up with you. First off, I'm just a hick y'know...what the heck is Gaiters? Then, the hike is gorgeous ...such beautiful woods you all walk through. I always enjoy your Senior Walkizens [can't be senior SITizens] ---they're such a treat. Now, I'm gonna go check out your next post below this one.

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  23. We were gone and then I was sick so I am behind again…We had celeriac at home all the time. My mother would place it, chopped like a carrot salad, in homemade mayonnaise. It is usually found in salad bars in France but it’s pretty rare here.
    You did not have a drop of rain! for a while at least. You sent it here. It just poured, but being Georgia, the tornado sirens blew too, as it was bringing thunder and storms, but it passed now and we had a sunset just like a fire. You did get some rain after all and such a good walk.

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  24. What a great recap, DJan!
    I've just barely touched into Washington, but got to explore the the mossy Cascade range & rugged Pacific Coast throughout Oregon.. It remains my favorite place on the earth that I've visited so far - rain, wild weather, and all.
    What a day this must have been!

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