Thursday, March 28, 2013

Beautiful day on Anderson Mountain

Linda, Peggy, Amy, Mike, Rita, Al (I'm behind the camera)
Seven Trailblazers met to hike up Anderson Mountain on a mostly sunny day, with warmer than normal temperatures! The two white paint marks on the tree (and the sign) show this is part of the Pacific Northwest Trail system. I looked up our hike last year because I distinctly remembered lots of snow and being turned back, since there was enough snow to lose the trail. This year we got quite a bit farther on the trail, and the dates are both in late March. The link will show you the difference year to year.
We had to hike two miles along an old logging road to get to this spot, which used to be the starting point for Anderson Mountain. But now the road is closed and we can't start here. Because of this, we don't actually get to the top any more, so we just go out until we feel like having lunch and then turn around and come back.
You can see the nice mostly blue skies over Lake Whatcom. I notice that I take a picture of this scene almost every year (there's one on that link from last year), but our weather was so much nicer today, with the temperature in the high fifties; it felt like spring is really here.
When we reached the corresponding sign about the area being closed to motorized use, we were turned back by snow. But it was almost noon by then, so we found a nice spot to have lunch and then headed back down. We covered more than 2,000 feet of elevation both up and down in about eight miles, four out and four back.
By the time we were heading back to the cars, we were singing songs and enjoying the mild temperatures. It seems Rita knows the words to a lot of songs that the rest of us know a little, so we were singing "Easter Parade" and marveling that she knows all the words and has a nice voice to boot! It was a fine day, with signs of spring everywhere. I'm glad to be home now, however, and just about ready to pour myself a nice glass of red wine.
:-)

24 comments:

  1. hooray for sunshine, no rain, milder temps, GORGEOUS view, and green ferns, too! :)

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  2. Wow, gorgeous photos and views from your hike! The lake scene is beautiful. Have a happy weekend!

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  3. I can imagine the wonderful smells you encountered today. A lovely spring day indeed.

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  4. What a fantastic day and hike! I love your photos. Thank goodness it didn't rain on you.

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  5. It seems that at higher elevations weather can be more extreme. it looks like you had a great day.

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  6. Another lovely outing with you. The view is amazing. I'm glad the weather held strong for you.

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  7. wow ...quite the trek today...love that view of the lake...singing songs...ha...def a good day among friends...

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  8. There is quite a bit of difference in this year and last year's trail, less snow and more sunshine. It looks like you had a great day. I love the view of Lake Whatcom.

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  9. In the mountains already, and not too badly hampered by snow. Meaning you can still get some wonderful pictures (like Lake Whatcom). Eight miles and 2,000 feet elevation is way more than this Bear could do right now.

    And how soon do you expect to be jumping out of perfectly good airplanes?

    Blessings and Bear hugs!
    Bears Noting

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  10. I loved looking at last year's photos as well as this year's ones.
    I did note that there were the same number of hikers both years. Seven is a great number!
    I'm glad that there was sunshine for you all and that you had a beautiful time together...songs included.
    Hugs and love,
    Jackie

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  11. I wish I was with you on that beautiful hike, but only the going downward part.

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  12. Hooray for wine o'clock. For sunshine, for friends and for a beautiful hike which you so generously shared with us. Thank you. I hope your sister is continuing to improve.

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  13. I would like to have been a part of this singing hike. Sounds like fun. Love the green ferns and the absolutely beautiful views. Aah, wish it was 55 here, but perhaps today - sun came out this morning as it has been hiding most of March. Happy Easter DJan to you n partner. lol :)

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  14. the view over the lake is amazing
    the lady in purple has the most wonderful smile :)

    hugs from me and Hope

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  15. Have you read "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed, about her hike on the Pacific Crest Trail? Bet you'd love it.

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  16. I wanted to tell you here in case you didn't come back to today's post on my blog. Art always loves meeting another science fiction enthusiast. He wanted to offer a book recommendation. It's his favorite. It's the Inherit the Stars series by James P Hogan. :-)

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  17. I just looked the book up on amazon. Good Grief! I can't believe it's so expensive. It's called the Giants series. Inherit the Stars must be the first book.

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  18. Sunshine, springtime, and singing - all makings for a good day!
    I hope you don't mind that I included you in my post today..
    http://ourfunwithfive.blogspot.com/2013/03/an-inspiring-suprise.html

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  19. What a great way to share a beautiful day, awesome scenery and good companions. However like Kay, pretty sure I could only do the down part.

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  20. I always love looking at the beautiful landscape you see during your walks – gorgeous.
    I am pleased your sister PJ is “out of the woods” as your said – your post had so much feeling in it, I felt tears coming loose.

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  21. What a difference from year to year. Stunning view..I can hardly wait for your spring flowers to bloom..are you going to that Tulip place again..I hope so! :)

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  22. Breathtaking views and scenery. It looks like spring is on its way in!

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  23. Dear DJan, what a lovely day you had. Thanks for the link to last year, the snow truly was piled high then. This late winter and early spring here in Missouri has been unseasonable cold with much more snow than usual. I'm sitting here at the computer wearing a sweat shirt, a thick woolly robe, and a down-filled vest. The house just seems cold!!!! I hope that your sister PJ is home from the hospital now. Peace.

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  24. I love it that you were singing! I love to be a part of a group that sings old songs.

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