Thursday, October 31, 2013

Raptor Ridge on Halloween

Raptor Ridge
It was a dark and stormy... day, Halloween 2013, when nine Senior Trailblazers headed up to Raptor Ridge and Madrone Crest to experience a typical Pacific Northwest winter hiking day. It was pretty much opposite from the sunny and beautiful day we had last week, but we still had a very good time.
Soggy leaves on the path
When we started out, the rain from the night before had stopped and although overcast, it was fairly warm and comfortable. Good hiking conditions. However, it wasn't long before a light mist began to cover everything, so we stopped to put on our rain gear. This trail is a well-traveled one, well maintained and right in town. We saw several people out for a run or taking their dogs for a walk, but we went a fair distance today, more than ten miles total.
Fog, rocks, gloves
We decided to hike all the way up to Madrone Crest before we stopped for lunch, but I was unaware that it would be so far. It was almost seven miles, so I was pretty darn peckish before we made it to Madrone Crest where we had no view (again) and I could finally enjoy my lunch. Next time I'll take more than trail mix to munch on while I'm hiking to keep me from getting so hungry.
Conference
Al would check with us to find out whether or not we wanted to continue on or stop. Since it's rather uncomfortable to stop when you're damp from both the light rain and exertion, we went out to the viewpoint, even though we knew there wouldn't be any. But amazingly, as we were finishing lunch, the clouds began to part and we saw blue sky!
Rita showing us a picture on her iPhone
As we began our downward hike back to the cars, it began to get downright pleasant. We had some good conversations, and Rita told us about her recent trip, sharing some pictures with us on her iPhone. It amazes me how much our lives have changed with the advent of smartphones. We also had a conversation about the meaning of different colors, and I was able to look up the definition of mauve, puce, and taupe to decide which best describes the color of Rita's pack rain cover. (It's puce.)
Linda, Ward, Rita
I also got a picture at Huckleberry Point of three of my favorite people, with the sun finally winning out over the fog and rain. Once we returned to our cars and made our way back to the Senior Center, we all agreed it had been a very good day, not dark and stormy at all. I'm glad that it will be decent outside for the little ones who will be out in costume tonight. I hope some of them visit me so I won't be forced to eat all that candy myself.
:-)

25 comments:

  1. time among friends and just talking enjoying the day...that is what it is all about...glad it cleared up on you at least for the hike back...and here i thought you may all have been in costume...smiles.

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  2. Happy Halloween, DJan! Glad the hike turned out to be a good one. I still have not used my Samsung S2 for taking photos. It's not good for low light situations, so I have been using my Canon camera exclusively.

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  3. Weather looks like a couple of my hikes recently!

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  4. Great Halloween Hike! Lots of green moss there! At least it is green! Waiting on the last four trick or treaters..they may have got to tired and went home:(

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  5. Looks very spooky out there ... but a happy ending. Doesn't get any better than that!

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  6. Sometimes you get lucky! I know here that over each ridge could be different weather. It also takes some persistence to keep on going.

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  7. :) 'pretty darn peckish' - that made me laugh. :)

    glad it cleared for you. looking at those wet leaves made me think hiking would be slick and dangerous. i know you guys are pros at this... :)

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  8. Happy Halloween, DJan!

    I love the mist & fog - so magical & perfect for Halloween.
    How great that things cleared, though, and you got both!

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  9. How wonderful that after all that exertion the sun came out. A wonderful, wonderful day - as always.

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  10. What a great hike again!!! I love each and every time you share your senior walks [I know they're hikes instead of walks, but I wanted to use a different word instead of hike again.]

    Oh, and what I noticed most on the photos is the beautiful green moss on the trees!!!

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  11. Isn't that the perfect place to hike on Halloween! Loved the photos and description.

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  12. Even in the mist, fog or rain, you are all most colourful. Warm without snow sounds OK to me. Yep, get some extra snacks in that pack of yours. I would have been most hungry by that time. It really is wonderful how w can share information n photos so easily today, Eh

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  13. What a fabulous hike with gorgeous photos as well. It was a dark, cold, rainy night for us though. Incredibly it didn't dampen my granddaughter's trick or treat spirit. She wanted to hit every lighted doorway in our community and DID! What a night! Hope you got a lot of kids last night.

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  14. Wonderful trails, a very nice Halloween.

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  15. Your hikes are full of weather surprises. I'm glad this one turned out well.. but of course when you're with fun people, don't they all?

    Puce sounds so much like.. puke. I'd prefer dusty pink. ;)

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  16. I am reading your blog and answering on my smart phone using voice activation. Yes smart phones are groovy!
    We are finishing up at the house. And are ready for a move in tomorrow. It will be a relief to get them finally settled.

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  17. I am always stunned just how far you all hike. Seven miles before lunch might make me peckish also:)) That term tickled me also.
    Glad at least the return trip was much better.

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  18. More trail mix! ;)
    Half rain and half sun. I love the picture of the gloves--LOL!

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  19. When your blog came up and I saw the first photo I thought maybe Superman in his red cape had tagged along on your hike.

    It does look like typical PNW weather in your first photos DJan. I'm glad you finally saw some sunshine.

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  20. all those wet leaves must be slippery but you all seem so prepared

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  21. Love the photo on raptor ridge, costume and all!

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  22. Again you demonstrate how much enjoyment can be gained from determination and good outlook.

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  23. I'm glad that your day went so well.Our day was stormt but trick and treaters arrived at our door holding umbrellas and I bet that was likely the only time they use one!

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  24. I said it before and I'll say it again. You and your intrepid climbers are amazing!

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