Remembering Watson Lakes

Watson Lakes 2018

I like the fact that I can peruse my pictures and remember my last visit to Watson Lakes, where the Senior Trailblazers are going today. I'm pretty sure I could have done them once again, since it's much cooler today than back when I last hiked up to these beautiful lakes. The long drive and the recollection of lots of bugs made me decide not to go, instead deciding to make a nice local six-mile solo stroll. 

It was cold last night, but this morning dawned clear and beautiful. My friend Steve is returning today from his trip to Hawaii, and I'm hoping I'll see him on Saturday, the beginning of a perfect Labor Day weekend in our part of the country. I read that a few places around the country are getting their hottest and most humid weather of the summer. I, however, am so glad that we were spared the severe weather during most of our summer months. We still have September, when it sometimes does get hot, but mostly it's been mild and delightful.

When you hike to Watson Lakes, there is a turnoff that takes you up to Anderson Butte, which I am sure the group will do today. It gives you a fabulous view of Mt Baker, as you can see here.

Melanie in front of Mt Baker

When I remember the most about this spot was the incredible number of mosquitoes that lurked in the trees and waited until they spied a juicy spot on exposed skin. It was probably one of the buggier places I've visited over the years, but as you can see, the views were amazing. I miss my dear friend Melanie and wish she hadn't moved to Oregon!

Looking back at the many beautiful places I've seen, I realize my good fortune in having chosen the Pacific Northwest for our retirement years. Now that I have all these wonderful memories and pictures, I am feeling quite content to be here in my easy chair, hoping that the Trailblazers are having a wonderful day.

The other day, on our way to Whidbey Island, we chatted about where many of us lived before moving here. It made me realize how many different lives I've lived during my decades of life: mother, wife (with a few different husbands before I met my life partner), secretary, homemaker, professional editor and blogger, not to forget the decades I spent skydiving. When I think of how much things have changed and morphed from one life experience to the next, I cannot help but feel enormous gratitude for all I have been given. 

And now I am reaping the benefits, relaxing in my easy chair and pondering whether I should have a cold beer or a nice glass of wine. Whatever I decide, it will be joined by contentment and a happy smile.

:-)

Bowman Bay and Elsie Mae

Elsie Mae

Elsie Mae is a seven-year-old rare Elephant Seal that was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. It's a rare sighting to see a 1,200-pound creature like her on Whidbey Island. She has returned after a long absence in the deep ocean that surrounds the Salish Sea. Two or three years ago she gave birth to a male seal on this beach, and she returns during the molting season to Whidbey Island. This morning, she was cordoned off by volunteers who have been making sure she isn't bothered by her numerous admirers.

When our hike leader learned about her return, he took sixteen Happy Wanderers to Bowman Bay, where we got to see her in her natural habitat. These volunteers were able to give us much of her resumé (compiled by Joe Hashmall):

This one was named Elsie Mae and around two years ago gave birth to a son (EMerSon --- Elsie Mae Son).  He was the first Elephant Seal that is known to have been born on Fidalgo Island. Elephant seals come to beaches in the summer to molt. They grow a new furry layer and are pretty inactive during the process.  Elsie Mae had finished growing her new coat and was resting before heading out to the Pacific. The Salish Sea is too shallow to harbor the type of food that they eat. They dive down hundreds of feet and eat soft creatures that live on the bottom: bottom dwelling fish, squid, etc.

I also learned that they dive down and can stay underwater for up to two hours before having to breathe again. Although Elsie Mae is only 1,200 pounds, male Elephant Seals can grow to 4,000 pounds or more. The naturalists were very helpful and obviously have become great fans of this seal.

After spending time oohing and aahing over Elsie Mae, we headed to Rosario Point, a short hike from the parking lot. It turned out that Lighthouse Point, where we tried to hike first, is closed due to downed trees and basically unsafe conditions, so it would be Rosario Point instead. 

On the trail heading to Rosario Point

It's very lovely and fairly easy to traverse, so we enjoyed following Joe to the views of the Salish Sea.  One of the sights when you get there is the wooden statue of the Maiden of Deception Pass.

The story of the Maiden

When you reach the statue, you can read her story by following the plaques surrounding the statue.

Read her story here

It's a very impressive statue, and one that is well known to those who live in the area, and those like me who visit and want to know more. And it couldn't be in a more beautiful environment.

View from Rosario Point

Since we didn't get a chance to get to Lighthouse Point, we instead went on a nice hike around Pass Lake. Well, not exactly around it, but in the general area. It was a gentle loop hike that gave us a bit more exercise before heading back home. We also made a stop at the Lopez Island Creamery for some delicious ice cream, which was quite a treat. All in all, a very fine way to spend our Happy Wanderers Tuesday! Thanks to all who helped make it such a good day.

:-)

Under the weather

Rain hat and rain coming down

 I like the idea of the phrase, "under the weather," because it reminds me of all the times, like in the picture above, that I have gone out in the rain, or wind, or even snow, as well as lovely unremarkable trips in good weather. But yesterday, I really was feeling under the weather in the usual meaning of the phrase. 

When I got out of bed, I pondered whether or not I wanted to join the Senior Trailblazers for a trip into the High Country in what looked like rain, or maybe just sprinkles. But once I swung my feet out of bed and onto the carpet, I realized it wouldn't be a good idea. I felt tired and achy, and just the thought of riding (with someone else driving) for that long trip, and then a moderate hike, seemed beyond my current capabilities. Sometimes lately I just don't have much oomph when getting up. I decided to take a bus ride to town and do something easy from the coffee shop.

But even though I did get there, I didn't have much desire to go anywhere. So I took the bus home and worked in a short walk. I thought maybe I'd get some shopping done, but even that didn't sound very appealing. So, I sat in my easy chair and thought I'd write my Thursday post about something, but I couldn't get started. 

So here it is, Friday, and I'm writing a makeup post I didn't write yesterday. I have been relaxing and watching some clips from last night's DNC Convention. Maybe today I'll go shopping, but you know something is amiss when even that sounds tiring!

:-)

New connector trail

Starting the new connector trail

Today, fifteen Senior Trailblazers of the Happy Wanderer variety explored the new trail that now connects two of our favorite hikes, the Chanterelle trail and the Hertz trail. (Apologies to our  leader, Persis, for catching her with her eyes closed.) The entire loop is longer than I think I can handle, 11 miles, but this trail goes from our beloved Hertz trail along the north shore of Lake Whatcom for two miles, before heading up to the new Lake Whatcom overlook, with many new steps on the new trail and a climb of a thousand feet before getting to the new overlook.

Pretty "shelf" mushrooms, one we called the Hat

Although the trail is rather steep, it's only a mile long before reaching the overlook. On the way, we have to climb more than 300 steps to get there. (We counted 325, 338, and 340, depending on who was counting.)

The beginning of the steps

Helpful signage

Once we got to the top of the stairs, we saw this sign that Persis told us would take us to the overlook. You can see how far it is from this spot to any other destinations. We just had a bit more hiking to get to it. And here it is!

A new view of the lake

It is a beautiful spot, and we were so fortunate to have a view, since it had been cloudy and cool all the way up here. And it not only has a nice fence to lean on, but also has two lovely, sturdy benches to sit on and gaze at the view and eat our lunch.

Nice indeed

And then it was time for us to retrace our steps and get back to the Hertz trail. It was a simply perfect day, cool and the rain stayed away until we were back at our cars.

Going back down 

I was a little afraid that the stairs might be harder to navigate going down than up, but I was very happy to use my trekking poles as a substitute for a railing. This is a place I think I'll be visiting often, and at some point I might even try to make the entire loop. Listening to those who have done it, the easiest way is to take the Chanterelle up the five miles to the connector trail, which then goes down to the overlook and eventually to the Hertz trail. The entire day's exertion covered six miles and a thousand feet of elevation up and down. I'm feeling pretty good right now, sitting in my easy chair and realizing I have drunk all my beer and will either have to struggle out the door or just wait for tomorrow. I'm feeling rooted to the spot at the moment.

:-)

Memories, a walk, and anniversaries

Mt Baker and fellow hiker on Scott Paul trail

My good friends, Group 2 of the Senior Trailblazers, went off today for our annual hike on the Scott Paul trail. I went back through my pictures and found a few that remind me of what they will be doing today. It's sunny again, and there are plenty of places on that hike that offer no shade, such as the picture above. I'm not sure who that was (I found it was Carol), but it was nine years ago and taken by me. I'm not sure I will ever again be on these hikes, but I've done this one many times in the past. All very enjoyable, but then again, I was younger in those days and have learned a hard lesson about strenuous hikes in full sun.

Amazing fields of lupines

It seems that August is when we always do this hike, and it's given us some beautiful views of wildflowers, like the ones above. I do hope today will bring many hikers views like this one. The hike is around nine miles, lots of elevation and streams to cross, but pretty much just a slog when traveling through most of the forested areas. There is one rickety bridge to cross, and I got a message from the group leader that she checked to see if it's still up. It is.

Suspension bridge

We always went across it one at a time, just like in the above picture. I remember it would sway in the breeze and with one's natural gait adding to the adventure, but everyone always seems to make it across just fine. One thing about having these pictures from times gone by, it reminds me that I could be very happy with a lovely six-mile walk in town today, with only a teeny little wistfulness that these days are behind me now.

Today is a day of anniversaries for me, good ones and bad ones. In the mid-sixties, I gave birth to my second son Stephen on this day. He only lived for thirteen months, dying of spinal meningitis as an infant. It also happens to be the day, twenty-two years ago now, that my first son, Chris (who was four when we lost his brother), died while jogging while stationed in Macedonia by the Army. Strange that August 15 would mark such different anniversaries in my life. Now it has been more than two decades since I have had any living children, but I have innumerable nephews and nieces and am very happy to see them thriving, and growing into adulthood. Life is filled with peaks and valleys, and I've certainly had my share of them both.

I am happy now, sitting in my wonderful easy chair, filled with a good lunch after my solo hike today. And remembering in my own way all the wonderful Augusts I have gone through in my life. I couldn't ask for much more.

:-)

Cornwall Park and a wonderful potluck

Happy Wanderers at Squalicum Beach

Today more than thirty Happy Wanderers met at the Senior Center to carpool to Cornwall Park before heading over to Joe and Barbara's home in the neighborhood. We walked around five miles before we went to their home to have barbeque'd hot dogs and hamburgers. Everyone brought some other food, mostly salads and some delightful desserts.

Joe and Barbara at their grill

One thing I notice about this group is how often we seem to end up eating together. It was a familiar hike for me, since I spend quite a bit of time in Cornwall Park, but it was the first time I enjoyed another delightful time eating with these people. It was a lot of fun, and then I left (living quite close by) and got home in time to head into my car and make my way to my hairdresser's house to get a much-needed haircut. 

A cloudy day, very cool and perfect for walking, made for a really wonderful atmosphere. Now I am getting ready to enjoy some horizontal relaxation (that is, sleep). I sure am enjoying cool and cloudy weather for a change.

:-)

Tuesday hike, solo walk today

Hikers at Cherry Point Beach

 You may have noticed that I didn't (again) post anything on Tuesday, not because we didn't hike, but it was a packed-to-the-brim day, and I didn't get home until late. No time to do anything but collapse. On Tuesday, we had 23 Senior Trailblazers show up for a forest walk and then one at Cherry Point Beach. The entire Ferndale Cherry Point area is owned by the BP oil refinery, and our leader John introduced us to two of his favorite walks in this area. A total of five miles, no elevation to speak of, but very pleasant, with a view of the San Juan islands. John is pointing out an island in the above picture.

After the hike, I had signed up to volunteer at the Senior Center to help pack lunches for Senior Day in the Park, which was held yesterday, Wednesday. As part of an assembly line, we packed 1,500 lunches in just under three hours, and boy was that tiring! Much more so than the hike, but then I realized I had taken the bus earlier in the day, so I needed to get to the bus station (a few blocks away) and then walk the half-mile home. So, no post. Just a cold beer and a little dinner.

After last week's hard hike, which didn't go so well for me in the heat and humidity, I decided early on not to even try to hike today. Instead, after a nice morning coffee and conversation with my friend Steve, I walked to Fairhaven and back on the South Bay trail, by myself. The temperature was just right early in the morning, and now in the afternoon it's gotten warm again. I was very happy to come home and visit with my sweet partner and then park the old bod in my easy chair. I felt only a little wistfulness that I was unable to join my friends today. Getting old is nowhere near as hard as I imagined.

Last Monday, I had my third eye jab, and it was not fun at all. I again endured it and was pleased to learn that I have had no change (no worsening of vision) since the last shot. I can only hope that this will keep me being able to see and read for a while longer. These shots are really difficult, but a year ago they didn't even have a treatment for dry macular degeneration, and now we have this. I asked the doctor what he thinks, but he was noncommittal about the future. He says that since it is so new, nobody knows how much cumulative shots might help. So I will continue to endure them for as long as I can.

Our temperature has moderated somewhat, but I'll bet it's still quite hot at altitude, and knowing that I made the right decision for today makes me feel happy and, if not contented exactly, at least reconciled to my solo walk. We are past the halfway point to the fall equinox, and I do notice the days are shorter, even if the heat is still feeling a little like August. Oh wait, it IS August!

:-)

Chain Lakes

Snow still around Artist Point today

You can see the still remaining snow fields at Artist Point today. Sixteen Senior Trailblazers took the long drive from Bellingham to the terminus of the Mt Baker Highway, to begin our hike from Artist Point down to Heather Meadows. The way our leader, Joe, arranged it was to get all of us up to Artist Point and then get two drivers to head back down to leave cars so that we could all skip the steep Wild Goose trail. While the cars were being exchanged, the first group of eight began our descent on the Chain Lakes trail.

Beautiful Mt Baker from the Artist Point trail

As you can see from these pictures, it was sunny, no clouds at all in the sky, and it began to get really hot as we hiked to the junction. One way takes you to Ptarmigan Ridge, and the other down to Chain Lakes. We got to Iceberg Lake before noon, and stopped to have a lunch break. The other group arrived while we were busy enjoying our lunch.

Iceberg Lake, still with some snow fields

It was a beautiful day, filled with plenty of conversations and camaraderie as we navigated the trail. First it was level, then some downhill, and then when we got to the lake, we began an uphill climb up to Hermann Saddle. 

I've taken this shot before, but this is today

As we began our ascent to Hermann Saddle, the sun got more and more intense, and I had to stop often to replenish my oxygen reserves, and keep going uphill. The beautiful day could have been ten or twenty degrees cooler for me, but I managed (with help).

Me and Mt Shuksan

I really thought by the time we began the final stretch that it would be easy, but it was anything but. I had to take careful steps on the endless stretches of rock, and realized that I had chosen the wrong shoes: I needed my hiking boots but left them behind, instead opting for more comfort, which turned out to be incorrect. I needed stability.

My two heroes

By the time we reached the final stretch, I began to flag. My energy slipped away and I had to stop often to catch my breath and gather my strength. I was saved by this couple, from the Bay Area in California, who saw I needed some help and gave me lots of water and encouragement as I finished the final miles of this hike. It turned out to be around six miles or so, in hot conditions, and once I reached the Visitor Center, my driver was already there with a cool car and a place to rest as we drove home. 

And now I am home much later than normal, but happy to be well showered, well beered, and ready to hit the sack and dream of beautiful mountains to come. 

:-)