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| Me and Al on the trail (Mel's picture) |
Melanie asked me if I'd like to join her and Al on a walk in the Chuckanuts (which are open and available for recreational use). Since it's Thursday and we are all missing our hikes, I was happy to say yes. Three people can do a pretty easy job of physical distancing, and it was a very nice way to spend the morning. It was raining a little, which turned into snow (you can see it at the base of the sign). It was cold and not very pleasant as we started, but it meant we didn't have any other people to worry about.
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| Early skunk cabbage |
We saw these yellow sentinels near the trail, which will continue to grow as the weather warms. They are also known as "swamp lanterns" as they grow in wet and marshy areas.
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| Mel all smiles in a fern forest |
We are so fortunate to have such beautiful hiking areas close to town, and although the state lands are closed to use, city and county trails are still accessible. We headed up the Lower Salal trail in hopes of seeing whether the trillium are out yet.
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| Droopy trillium flowers |
And sure enough, we found these early blooms beside the trail. I think if it had been warm and sunny, they would have been happy to show us their smiling faces. But it was wet, and they will need to wait for another day to really see them shine.
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| Nice trail and sunshine |
However, just before we reached our cars, the sun came out and gave us a much drier walk. Unfortunately, it also meant that others would join us on the trail, and we had to keep moving to the side when large groups of people were coming up the other way. Most were careful to stay within the social distancing guidelines, but I noticed that not all of them did. Perhaps they are family members.
In any event, we covered more than five-and-a-half miles and 1,200 feet up and down. It was a very pleasant way for me to get some exercise, with good friends, and a beautiful environment. We were done by noon. I will be glad when the weather warms up a little more and the rain decides to visit us less often. But the good part is that I did get my steps in for the day and am feeling pretty darn good.
:-)
I am so very, very glad you were able to get out. Under our current rules you were walking with too many. You, or Al or Melanie would have had to stay at home.
ReplyDeleteMel looks like an elf in that photo of the fern forest.
ReplyDeleteYou had a good hike after all. We had no precipitation here down south of you, and sunshine much of the day. The long range forecast looks sunnier and warmer. Yay!
Good for you getting out to hike! It really helps to do something normal! Thinking of you today...as we got real melty in the rain :)
ReplyDeleteI'm very surprised that you would find larger groups on the trail.
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to get back outside. Should help you get your mojo back.
ReplyDeleteAh, Trilliums❤❤❤, lucky you!
ReplyDeleteI notice when I'm walking that people give me a wide berth, cross the street even. They look at me with suspicion, maybe even a little disgust, like I might be a carrier, then they give a little guilty smile of apology. Ha. I probably look the same way.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been out, walking, since Sunday. Been away from home driving behind the safety of the windshield, but that's not the same.
ReplyDeleteYou go girl. Hope, soon, this will be a thing of the past.
As always, gorgeous hikes!
Trilliums are our provincial flower.
ReplyDeleteWet and wild could be your motto! I've been choosing less populated routes here in Minneapolis. Our trails are packed with walkers. The signs of spring have been a joy, as always.
ReplyDeleteLove trilliums. One of nature’s gens.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful you could get out for a few hours. We are not Able to walk on the boardwalk any more. We have to stay on our own property. The restrictions are more confining as time goes on.
Nice! You needed that. ;)
ReplyDeleteI know how much you were craving that and so glad you got to stretch your hiking muscles a bit with some distance socializing too. Hope you can get in more of those.
ReplyDeleteWow, you did manage to get some exercise with good friends. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got out! I enjoy those western flowers you see.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly had a good walk in your beautiful surroundings. In Nashville I have not been out walking because no one wears a mask. Only 2 days ago the governor of TN advised people to stay home – they don’t. Also two days ago the Chair of the Academy of Science sent a letter to the White house saying that Covid-19 “can spread by aerosolized droplets produced by talking and breathing” so the request was made for all to wear a mask while outside, that means all, The reason is that aerosolized droplets can stay in the air 3 hours or more and if a person who does not know they have the virus walked, or just breathed 3 hours before you walk on the same space, it can bring the virus to you. So distancing is fine but you may still get it by walking within 3 hours in an asumptomatic person’s space and get it, that’s why the CDC said for ALL to wear a mask. It is reported in New York that people also caught the virus while biking. These aerosolized droplets explain while this virus is so contagious. I saw so many students jogging or walking their dogs in front of my house, so far no one is wearing a mask. Nashville has not seen its peak yet so I am concerned. Stay safe DJan.
ReplyDeleteWhile I know the virus is serious to 20% of the people it is going to be hard to the entire globe to just shut down. Fear of loosing lives is tough yet in war time we send people into deadly battle. Life is tough. This virus has pushed us to extreme measures but we must stay compassionate. And we must realise no one has yet got it totally right about how this vinous moves. Be safe.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos.
Hi Djan. Just to bring you update about my blog. The trip I did to Scotland took place over 3 weeks ago. In the end I had to cut it short. I have been in lockdown for 19 days now staying with my daughter and grandchildren as my daughter has a chronic illness so needs support during these times. So you were quite right with your comment on my blog. There are no hotels, restaurants or anywhere else open at the moment only food stores and pharmacies.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely hike, so much rebirth and awakening.
ReplyDeleteSurrounded by so much peace and beauty, helps take your mind off a world in crisis.
Stay safe.
Hugs,
Jo
You're fortunate your parks and trails are open. Here in Florida, all the parks closed.
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