Saturday, November 29, 2014

What a difference a day makes

As warm as it got all day today
Last night in Bellingham, we went to bed after having had a nice warm day in the mid-fifties, and we woke to 21F. Al had suggested that we might have a nice weekend hike today, maybe even into the mountains, if the weather cooperated. But it didn't. The temperature would not have been so bad, but the wind! Oh my, it's blowing a gale out there. He sent around an email last night suggesting we cancel the outing, but he said he'd show up at 8:00am to see if there were any other takers, and if we decided it was too terrible, we could all just go out for coffee.
Carol and me with Samish Bay behind us
Four of us headed out on a favorite hike near town, so that if we didn't feel we were having fun, we could just head for the coffee shop from there. We didn't know for sure whether this was a good idea or not, but with proper gear it wasn't so bad when we were sheltered from the wind. Just stopping to take this picture made me feel cold again. The bad part is that as soon as I tried to get any water out of my hydration pack, the water had frozen solid in the tube! The same thing happened to Al and Carol, but they had less tubing hanging out from their packs. Al suggested that I could take my entire hydration pack out and put it under his coat.
Ah, sweet water: nectar of the gods
Once it got under his coat, it thawed enough for me to get a drink, but I had to go running over to Al every time I got thirsty. We laughed at this picture, so I just had to share it with you. He kept his own bite valve under there, too, so that his wouldn't freeze. He generates quite a bit of heat when he is hiking, so we were both able to stay hydrated. Carol managed to keep hers open but was drinking slush most of the day.
Mt. Baker and clouds
We got to this high point and I snapped this picture, but the wind was so fierce that I didn't try to take any more shots. Besides, my camera's batteries were showing that they were low, even though I knew they weren't. The extreme cold (wind chill is real!) affected it, plus it was impossible for me to change settings without taking off my mittens, which I was unwilling to do.
Waterfall
We have seen this waterfall many times, but it usually isn't flowing with such incredible volume. All we could figure is that is must have been caused by the rain we've been having for the past week. The vegetation and log on the right are covered with frost. But look at that sunshine; it's been clear and beautiful all day, and except for the wind we would have been very happy to make it a longer hike. But any stopping meant instant cold, so we stood while we ate a quick lunch and then headed back to the car.

Now I'm home, and I'm finally feeling warm. Although it was quite an experience, I'm glad I went, and although my face feels a little chapped from the cold and wind, otherwise we were none the worse for wear. Much better than sitting around inside eating leftovers. They are still there, and now I can eat them feeling quite virtuous!
:-)

25 comments:

  1. i can imagine that cold wind on your faces! laughed at al the camel. :)

    we had ferocious winds today in texas, but our temps were 76!

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  2. Here in the winter in Gopherland we're big students of "wind chill." Meaning it doesn't take much for me to turn around and head back to the car...:)

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  3. ha funny pic of you and al...and my having to unfreeze the hydration pack....it was 26 here last night...luckily our winds were not so bad....

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  4. You are such a brave soul in not letting those elements keeping you at bay... the wind probably made if feel a lot colder than what it actually was.
    We have a cold wind this evening, I popped into the potting shed, and right back out, such a difference from today's sunshine.
    Hope there are more hiking days for you ahead DJan.
    ~Jo

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  5. I knew you would find a hike this week! Cute photo of you and Al:)

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  6. LOVED that photo. And am in awe at your tenacity. Thank you for taking us along.

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  7. Yup, the wind and cold would have been a deal breaker for me. Lol.

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  8. We are down to 26 degrees now at SeaTac. We had strong winds in the middle of the day too. I spent the day inside, but busy, packing up autumn decorations, cleaning and dusting, packing up my pottery collection, and putting out my Santa collection.

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  9. Glad you shared the photo with water tube. I giggled thinking of all the liquid types one might use this pack for. As a serious hiker I know only the puest water wouls do for you.

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  10. Ah, Al to the rescue of maidens far in the forest, carrying a vital drink - nectar of the Gods. Well, as cold as it was it is wonderful that you went anyway and dealt with harsh elements. I love the photo of you n Camel Al. he,he. Have a wonderful day DJan, eh :)

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  11. That Al is one hot guy! LOL! 21 degrees with wind and he can melt ice! Amazing! That's too cold for hiking in my book. I'd worry about frostbite. You guys amaze me!

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  12. The sky looks so beautiful I can understand the need to be out but I am not a lover of the cold. The frozen water would have sent me home in a flash.Wear your halo with pride whilst you have a nice glass of wine and enjoy the left overs.

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  13. For people who haven't been up there, they'll never know what wind is. It's hard to stand still enough to get a photo or is that just me?
    Yes, batteries don't do well in the cold. I always carry extras when it's cold.

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  14. For people who haven't been up there, they'll never know what wind is. It's hard to stand still enough to get a photo or is that just me?
    Yes, batteries don't do well in the cold. I always carry extras when it's cold.

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  15. Awesome! Glad to see that you were able to get out & hike even though it was crisp out, even better that you made it home to warmth.

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  16. What a guy to stick an icy water bottle inside his coat. Now that is a friend.
    So glad you managed to get in your hike and to see that lovely waterfall.

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  17. cannot beat the beauty of nature
    and the stories......so fun

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  18. We had the opposite of you. It was 21 degrees when we woke up on Sat., but by Sun. it was in the upper 40s. So we went for a hike on Bear Mountain, along the Hudson.

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  19. I don't think I have ever read about you opting for the coffee shop instead of braving the weather conditions. I'm giggling like an adolescent over that photo though.

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  20. Well, you are indeed an intrepid soul. Are you sure you aren't part Canadian?

    Mount Baker never goes away, does it?

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  21. A Facebook elf tells me that today is your birthday. Wishing you a very happy day. Hope you got to do what you love most.

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  22. my face would feel more than chapped from the cold and wind, I'm sure. You have so much stamina and enjoy your outings no matter the weather, I look up to you in awe. Beautiful mountain in the clouds.

    I won't comment on your hydration...I take the 5th.

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  23. Good for you, DJan! Temperatures were really going up and down in Illinois too when we were there. I'm in awe of your strength and determination.

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