Thursday, January 19, 2012

Whatcom Falls Park

Whirlpool at Whatcom Falls Park
Only three of us Trailblazers showed up for today's hike. The weather took a turn for the worse on Monday, when snow began to fall. Then after we got several inches on the ground, frigid air headed south from British Columbia to lower our temperatures into the teens. I didn't move my car for three days and rode the bus to town so I could follow my regular routine. The high temperature yesterday was 19F (-7C). The snow stopped in this part of the county, close to the Canadian border, by Wednesday morning, but the temperatures made driving treacherous. I usually ride the bus anyway until Thursday, when carrying my hiking gear onto the bus makes it hard not to drive. It took twenty minutes for me to get my car ready to roll, and I was a Nervous Nelly on slippery roads all the way to the Center, which was closed. Al and Mike were in the parking lot already; we waited until 9:00am for any stragglers (nope) and then drove to Barkley Village.
It was cold, but nowhere near as cold as yesterday. The forecast said today would be much warmer, but it didn't turn out to be really warm, by any means. The temperature was hovering around 24 on Al's car thermometer. Since we wouldn't be traveling into wilderness but staying in town, I didn't take a lunch, only water and warm clothes. We headed onto the trails behind Barkley, which were being used by lots of people with their dogs, out for a walk or run, and since the schools are closed for a second day today, kids were taking advantage of the snow.
Whatcom Falls Park has 241 acres of beautiful wooded land and lots of trails, which were all covered with snow and perfect for walking on, or sledding down the hills. I saw sleds like these being used, and cardboard if the kids didn't already have sleds. (We don't get snow all that much here, and hardly ever with such cold temperatures.) It was a pretty glorious day, with plenty of trails to cover and good company, as usual. Mike took this picture of me.
Since I wasn't wearing my big pack with a waist belt, I kept my camera in my jacket pocket for quick use. Even so, I missed some great shots, like the cute husky who came trotting by with bright pink booties. We walked to the falls and I noticed that where the water sprays the rocks and branches, some really wonderful ice sculptures met my eye. Here's one.
The ice and snow on these branches made a unique pattern. I thought that part in the middle looked like an eye. By the time we got back to Barkley Village, we had covered 7.6 miles total and walked up and down maybe 500 feet. Al suggested we trek up to nearby Big Rock Garden to add a bit of distance, which we did; I had never been there before. I didn't take any pictures, because nothing caught my eye, and my stomach was beginning to remind me that it was lunchtime. We had a quick lunch in the Haggen cafeteria and headed home, happy to have been out and about, even in such inhospitable conditions.
:-)

27 comments:

  1. We shall call you Diehard DJan from now on. Seriously, it looked like this was certainly one hike worth making for its beauty, and too bad the others couldn't make it.

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  2. I really like that photo of you. Wow, and I thought it was cold here...Of course, even 30 is pretty cold if you aren't dressed appropriately (and I can assure you I don't get all decked out in winter gear to take the dog out to potty).
    The ice picture is pretty awesome.

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  3. Wow, you have the spirit of a lion, so cold and icy, and yet still have the courage to get out and play !
    What an awesome ice picture...
    ~Jo

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  4. You are one tough lady. I'm aure your walk was beautiful but I'm not that tough.

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  5. wow i am loving all the white stuff..esp that first pic...and nice pic of you as well...smiles.

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  6. I'm a firm believer that when we go out in these conditions we not only enjoy it but become hardier because of the effort.

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  7. As usual, fabulous photos! I wanted to go out today too, but I had too much work to do. So glad I went out yesterday, though.

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  8. Beautiful snowy photos..it was warm there! We did not get above zero here today..it is bitterly cold. The snow squeaks when you walk on it..but we don't have as much snow as you do:)

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  9. There's something magical to me about the forest and the water surrounded by snow and ice. I loved the "eye"! (I immediately thought it looked like an eye, too.) You sure look good, lady! All that adventure and fresh air certainly agrees with you. :)

    We don't have hardly any snow here. It's so cold what we do have squeaks when you walk on it and the ice is glare and dangerous. (Minus 4 right now.)

    I love going on your hikes with you! Sorry I missed the pink booted dog. ;)

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  10. I guess almost any weather is fine as long as you're dressed for it. Your all-weather hikes are proof of that.

    Your ice sculpture is beautiful. And I can easily imagine the pooch in booties. :)

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  11. Oh. How beautiful. I am super jealous. And that ice sculpture did indeed look like an eye. Thank you so much for sharing this. I loved it.

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  12. I was wondering if you got in a hike today. That looks like a nice place. Mother Nature's ice sculptures are so pretty.

    It hovered around 19F here all day with freezing rain mixed with a little snow. It's pretty much the same right now.

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  13. Once again, I like the names of the places where you hike and wonder about the origin of the names. I would enjoy hiking in snow to enjoy the beauty of the scenery. I used to ski and I enjoyed the scenery as much as the skiing. That was before digital cameras so I regretted that I couldn't take pictures of some great panoramas.

    A dog with booties is certainly a Kodak moment but I miss a lot of good opportunities too.

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  14. That's a nice shot of you in the snow. You were lucky your car didn't slip and slide all over the road. Nice outing, DJan!

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  15. Mike is not wearing shorts!!! The guy does have some sense after all!

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  16. You are one hardy soul. Just the photos of the snow made me cold! Great photos, though.

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  17. Dear DJan,
    "Rubye Jack" said it all--"Diehard DJan" and beauty worth hiking for. You do so inspire me and yet I can't seem to get going on this enjoying nature by walking.
    Maybe when I get back to Minnesota.

    By the way, I read "Th End of Overeating" by David Kessler, which you recommended. The facts he gives about the food industry are horrifying. I'm so glad to b a vegetarian. I never go to a fast food chain. And when I go to a restaurant it's mostly salad with vinaigrette dressing that I order. Still I have weight to lose because of the beckoning refrigerator in the kitchen!

    I liked that photo of you. Happiness is there.

    Peace.

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  18. You are amazing. That isn't even a strong enough word. Your inner stamina is to be admired and the photo of you without all the gear is really good. You continue to be a good example to all of us.

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  19. Lovely snowy pictures of your hike. Isn't the snow sleigh bright? My goodness, you can see that coming! The first pic is amazing. Just like a fairy wonderland!

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  20. Well, I love the first comment! You are certainly a Diehard! But the photos are so lovely, and you're so right. We rarely get good snow, and it must be taken advantage of when it happens. I'm glad you were able to get out and hike in it and get those ice photos. I remember a few years ago Jess and I stopped at Multnomah Falls when it was mostly iced over. Oh, it was so breathtakingly gorgeous!

    I was jealous to hear you all had so much more snow than we did. Ours was pure piddly!

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  21. Your photo, of the whirlpool at Whatcom Falls Park, reeeeally makes me miss not having a decent snowfall this winter more than ever, DJan!

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  22. But, my goodness is the scenery ever so beautiful. But of course, I sitting here in the balmy sub tropics and enjoying your snow from afar.

    Love Rubye Jack's reference to "Diehard DJan" as I type this comment.

    Old Man and the Sea Shadow Shot
    and
    If I Could Talk to the Animals
    Thanks for visiting, & have a wonderful weekend.

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  23. I've been hearing about the weather in the Pacific Northwest. What a wallop. At least you are able to get out and enjoy your hikes still.

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  24. I so admire your dedication. Although there is something pretty wonderful about walking in the snow. Something even more wonderful about warming up afterwards. Great picture of you!

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  25. Brrrrr - - - made me cold to think about that hike and figured your legs got a really good workout as you would have had to work a bit harder for traction with the slippery conditions? However, you do look like you are dressed toasty warm.

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  26. Oh wow! DJan! That is an amazing photo! I love your new header photo too.

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  27. BRavo for having the courage to make it out on such a cold and snowy day!

    And thanks a million for sharing it, I lvoe those snowy images, reminds me of how beautiful snowy landscapes can be!

    We're having a warmer than usual winter here, haven't reached freezing a single night here on the coast! (inland they have) It's making my hikes be a bit awkward to plan clothes for, ebcause there is such a change in temperature between sun and shade...

    Once again, lovely hike!

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