Thursday, January 10, 2013

Railroad Trail and more

Al, Peggy, Linda, Ward
Oh no, not again! I awoke this morning to the sound of the rain drumming on the roof. It was only a 30% chance of rain today, with sun breaks and drier weather predicted after a few "lingering showers" in the morning. This was NOT what I expected as I drove to the Senior Center in the gloom, windshield wipers removing wet sloppy rain that had some ice mixed in. Only six of us met today to do an around-town walk in the rain. Not pictured is Mike, and I'm behind the camera.
We know this walk very well, and it's pretty when the weather is fine. When I took this picture, the rain had begun to turn to snow and was beginning to stick on the foliage. There wasn't much to photograph today, so I figured that maybe I could give my readers a sense of our experience. Be sure you imagine plenty of moisture. We walked almost ten miles, covering lots of distance from the Barkley Village parking lot, our starting point. We had to cross a few streets to go from one park to another, and at one intersection I saw a perfect image for the day: Peggy's hat.
There's some ice mixed in with the water on her hat. This is known as a "Seattle Sombrero" for those who want to find the latest in rain gear. It not only does a good job, the longer brim in the back keeps the rain from running down inside your jacket. I tried this one on at REI but couldn't make up my mind. Presently I use the hood on my rain jacket with a billed cap. Here's a map of today's route, for those who might be interested.
We started from the Barkley Village Mall at the middle left and went through the Roosevelt Nature Area, on Railroad Trail to Scudder's Pond before we had to walk on roads (the dotted lines). After a short excursion to look at Whatcom Falls, we went to Big Rock Garden and made our way to the Klipsun Trail before heading back to the parking lot at the mall. I took this picture of one of the sculptures in the Big Rock Garden.
A wet tugboat in Big Rock Garden park
By the time I took this picture, the rain had begun to ease up a little. It wasn't too awfully long before we noticed that the clouds had begun to thin overhead and a little bit of blue sky was beginning to peek through. Now, at 2:00pm, I can see actual SUNSHINE outside. After having been out in the cold and wet for several hours, though, nothing much is going to pry me from my comfy chair in the living room.

It's supposed to clear off and the temperatures drop to the teens tonight, our coldest temperatures of the season so far. It's only two more weeks before I leave for my sister's home in Florida, where I noticed today it reached 85 degrees F. I hope it won't be too much of a shock to my system!
:-)

22 comments:

  1. 10 miles around town in the rain? you're a better person than i. :)

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  2. i am glad that you got a little sun...smiles...what a cool sculpture...i would love to see more from there...we have some railroad trails around here...where they paved over the old rails to make jogging paths...there is even one that goes through the old mountain tunnel...

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  3. I have a feeling that a little Florida sunshine will do you a world of good!

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  4. Well at least Mother Nature was kind enough to give you a glimpse of the sun today. We had snow here with possibly a bit more tonight and the temps dropping into the low twenties for us.

    Just think how nice the warm Florida sun is going to feel.

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  5. Love the photo of the rain on the hat. It gave me a perfect feel for your weather. You do get a lot of rain there. Sending you hugs and wishes for a safe trip to Florida...bring on the sunshine for Jan.
    Hugs,
    J.

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  6. As I told you before , I like walking in the rain with the proper gear. I've done a few hikes in the rain. You do put across the sense that it is very wet. Wet cold penetrates.

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  7. I was surprised and disappointed by the weather today, too, and I thought of you maybe walking in snow!
    I did get out this afternoon for a four mile walk, partly in light rain. No sun peeked through here all day.

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  8. Just looking at that map exhausts me. I'm lucky to do a mile on the treadmill and the scenery sure isn't as pretty, despite the snow, as this. You're inspiring. My next bout at the gym will include roe miles on the treadmill, ore meters in the rowing machine, heavier weights.

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  9. ten miles in the rain..you guys and gals are troopers..Love that hat..Seattle Sombrero! It is raining here tonight:(

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  10. I do so admire your stamina - and Peggy's hat and the tug-boat. I like walking in the rain - if only we had some, but cannot imagine walking in the rain and the snow.

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  11. Yep, everybody looks a little soppy as my Dad used to say. Nice hat geat, but I do the same as you. I pull up my gortex hood and wear a cap; but then on walks through town the Tilley wins - after all, one must look respectable. ha,ha Glad to hear the weather cleared up DJan and now perhaps you might indulge on some sunny walkk/hikes prior to visiting your Sister after all that rain n ice pellets. I like that photo of the tugboat on the trail - interesting :)

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  12. Looks like that tugboat may just be the 'ticket' out of the rain, rain, and more rain. Oh yes, Florida sounds awesome to me. Best time of the year there.

    And that hat...looks wet of course, but I ventured and thought 'outside the brim' to the dreary scenery around it all. Blah. But to walk in the rain, if it's not too cold, is invigorating. 10 miles?!! Whoa. On second thought, I'll just sit that one out and drink my hot chocolate and wait for your return to the drier indoors - then, we can chat.

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  13. It was raining here last evening, and I thought at least it was warmish. But as the rain hit the pavement it turned slippery, and soon the temps will plunge and we'll have glare ice everywhere. Love the hat!

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  14. There's no breaking that hiking spirit....rain or shine :)
    I love to walk in the rain, just so long as it's not too cold.
    Florida weather will be quite the change for you, enjoy your visit with your sister, ther'es no telling what you'll be up to :)
    ~Jo

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  15. DJan,

    If you are going to be anywhere near Stuart let me know and we'll grab a coffee together.

    Bring your flip flops. It has been unseasonably warm this winter.

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  16. The rain in the rain forest comes and goes so each day usually has both sun and rain. The hike looks like a good one.

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  17. You are good! The sound of the "drumming rain" wouldn't have gotten me out the door for 10 miles of anything!
    xo jj

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  18. I love that no matter the weather, you and your buds take your hikes anyway. In town.. up a mountain.. along a ridge... you inspire. But I'm sure you're looking forward to the warm, seductive Florida climate.

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  19. Hope it stays warm in Florida for you. I am so tired of being cold here in California. Enjoy your visit.

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  20. Ten miles in icy rain--awk! You guys are real troop[ers. I think Florida will be a shock at first. Please take pictures of what 85 degrees looks like this time of year. :)

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  21. Have you tried singing "Rain, rain go away, come again another day!" ;o)

    From that map it looks like you guys have quite a few interesting parks within town. Nice! :o)

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