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| Mikey's new purple boots |
Only five of us showed up for the hike today, rated "hard" and boy is it! I looked up our crew
last year, and there were only five then, too. Most people don't particularly like to climb an almost 12% grade for the first three miles and then add on another six miles after that. But the hardiest of the hardy showed up on another glorious weather day. It was Mikey's first time wearing his new boots, which were on sale because of the color. Except for the next one, all these pictures are from my iPhone, since I had to document the event somehow and had forgotten to bring my camera.
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| Our upward route and fog, taken by Diane |
When we left the Senior Center, we were beginning to see blue sky through the marine layer that had moved in during the night, but as we began our hike, we ended up being in some pretty dense fog, keeping the temperatures down and making the upward part of the hike more comfortable as we grunted and groaned up the steep grade. The fog began to lift as we ascended, making for some dramatic shots through the trees.
As we headed upwards, we were convinced that the marine layer had dissipated and that we would have a cool view of Samish Bay once we reached Oyster Dome. But here is what we saw instead:
We had simply climbed up above the marine layer, which was still very compact at 11:00am when we got to the Dome. If you want to know why it's called "Oyster Dome,"
read my post from last year where I explained it (towards the end of the post).
By the time we had hiked to the Samish Bay Overlook, the clouds were almost gone, as you can see here. Although I've got lots of wonderful pictures of the bay, today's shot was just to show how long it took for the marine layer to lift (it was after 1:00pm when I took this picture). We met lots of people just starting up as we headed back down, and we were plenty tired and ready for a rest by the time we reached the cars. We hiked almost nine miles and covered a total of just under 2,500 feet of elevation up and down. There's a reason it's labeled "hard," and now that my feet are up, my wine glass is in my hand, and my post is almost finished, I'm smiling!
:-)
Ha! Not sure I'd be smiling after such a difficult hike. But, I am really impressed with your iPhone. The photos turned out great.
ReplyDeletei'm smiling at the purple boots! so cute! love the shot of the tree roots and the very cool tall trees going up into the fog. nice!
ReplyDeleteGood job. I love to walk. I love following your hiking challenges.
ReplyDeleteIn North Carolina we went up a path, no where near this difficult, i am a former smoker and this was hard. But I loved it.
you know...those that dare, get great rewards...what beauty the sun coming through the tree like that...ahem, those boots...they def make a statement...lol
ReplyDeleteThose pictures are awesome! Being above the clouds...wow.
ReplyDeleteThe fog made for some cool shots. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, you are the hardiest of the hardy, DJan.
I love the purple boots. Great fun.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos that you took with your iPhone, Jan. They are awesome.
ReplyDeleteI have decided that most shots are good because of the photographer...and the camera is secondary. You prove my point. Beautiful shots!
Hugs,
J.
The picture with the trail going over the tree roots is a winner.you can see how rough and steep the trail is. I always told people that when I was up on top I looked at them riding in their cars down below.
ReplyDeleteOh, WOW, do I love those massive tree roots. Your first two photos today just blew me away!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a challenging hike.. you have good reason to be tired, AND smiling. :)
Brilliant photos and WHAT a hike. You certainly earn your wine o'clock.
ReplyDeleteHi Djan, I'm catching up on everyone's blogs. Love these pictures, especially the tree roots in the fog!
ReplyDeleteI would be too exhausted to post a blog for days after that. But those foggy photos are so mysterious and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThat hike certainly is hard! Climbing all that elevation so quickly would be a challenge for most.
ReplyDeleteI'm always impressed by the quality of the photos one can get with the iPhone. Yours are great.
Now those are some flashy boots! Why not?! I love the pic with the sun trying to peek through the trees in the fog!! That is just breathtaking! You guys may have been disappointed, but I think it is thrilling to be above the clouds like that. Wow! :):)
ReplyDeleteIt takes a man secure in his manhood to wear those boots:)) Quite flashy but a bargain is a bargain. Those tree roots were amazing.
ReplyDeleteYou never cease to amaze me with your stamina.
Snazzy Shoes! I think you all should tour the oyster farm! Great hike! :)
ReplyDeleteiPhone photos are the best, the most surreal and to the heart. It probably isn't the phone, but the person, yet, still, these are really cool photos, DJan. I'm hiking with you, virtualy, the one panting at the end of the line
ReplyDeleteHard? It looks impossible...! oh well I suppose you are experienced but it wouldn't be for me, no sirree.
ReplyDeleteYou have some lovely pictures to remember the day though.
Made my heart beat fast just to read this. I've done a similar hike when much younger, and not through the marine layer but out in the full sun. I know I couldn't do it now.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool hike. The photo of the sun breaking through the fog and illuminating the trees is just stunning. Even more stunning than those purple boots!
ReplyDeleteDear DJan, congratulations on that hike. It seemed so hard even as you shared it with us. But oh to see a cloud cap or dome. Of course I've been above the clouds in an hermetically sealed airplane cabin, but that's so different from standing there on soil that has known the weight of millennium and feeling the waft of breeze and smiling the freshness of air. I find myself envying you sometimes, DJan, and yet I know myself well enough to know that I'd not take advantage of all you've embraced since moving to the Northwest. You continue to inspire me. Peace.
ReplyDeleteEach time you hike, especially on a hard trip, you have a feeling of accomplishment. You achieve something most of us seniors do not. I am so proud of you. Can you hear me applauding you all the way from here?
ReplyDeleteI love those purple boots.
ReplyDeleteI use my iphone all the time, takes great video too. I especially liked the shot of the tree roots going uphill and the beauty of the clouds n valley and the fog are really unique. I still love the purple boots best :)
I'm glad you had your phone with you DJan because otherwise I wouldn't have seen that gorgeous photo of the sun coming through the trees. That is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteMikey's boots made me giggle but I do like that color.
I say it again, DJan! You are amazing!!! You and your buddies all are. That photo of the sun coming through the fog and trees is just spectacular. You should frame it. What a feeling it must have been to stand there and experience it!
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