Thursday, May 23, 2013

Lake Padden and a party

On the Lake Padden horse trails
Every year for the past six years, Norm and Gina have hosted a Memorial Day weekend party at their summer home on Cain Lake. We begin the day with a short hike at Lake Padden (a mere six miles) on the horse trails that are located behind the lake. Since there are so many possible paths to take, a map is located at each intersection.
If you enlarge this, you can read the text, but basically there is a "You are here" marking that shows where one is located in relation to the lake and the golf course. This is also a place where dogs are allowed to run free, and there's a dog park near the golf course as well. The area was filled with lots of people and their dogs today, since the weather turned out to be pretty nice, considering. It rained all night long, so it was rather muddy, but we had clouds and sunshine as more than a dozen of us laughed and chatted along behind Al.
The fresh green leaves that have recently appeared were so pretty against the older greenery. It wasn't exactly warm, but as we were moving along at a fairly brisk pace, I wasn't cold at all. My raincoat stayed in my pack. We also didn't need to carry any lunch, since we would be piling in our cars and driving to Norm and Gina's home to be treated to hot dogs, hamburgers and some wonderful salads for the vegetarians among us. We were told only to bring our drinks and a dessert.
Gina's fabulous salad
This bowl kept magically refilling itself and I myself had two enormous servings. Since everyone brought desserts, there were plenty of those, too, and (as usual) a special cake for the birthday girls, Amy and Peggy. Ward's birthday is in May, too, so he was required to be photographed along with them.
Peggy, Amy, Ward
The cake was very pretty, and Amy asked if I would take a closeup for posterity, so here it is. I didn't have any of it, since I had already indulged in some of the other goodies and was feeling a little bit of a sugar rush. Since I rarely eat any sugar, it doesn't take much.
Happy birthday, Amy and Peggy ...and Ward :-)
Both of the hiking groups were invited, so we had somewhere around forty Senior Trailblazers enjoying each other's company and being treated to lunch. I was so pleased to see that Jonelle has returned from her winter digs in the desert to join us for our upcoming hikes in the wilderness.
This may be the last time we gather here at Norm and Gina's summer home, as they are threatening to sell it, and we will need to find another place to gather to begin our summer hiking season. All things must come to an end, but being able to enjoy the moment with such wonderful friends is enough for me today.
:-)

19 comments:

  1. What a nice way to celebrate the hiking season. The annual party underscores that the groups are as much about friendship as about hiking, which is wonderful.

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  2. wow you had quite a group...and bet the trip around the lake was pretty cool...we have a trail very similar i took the boys on recently...a mere six miles...i bet you barely broke a sweat...lol

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  3. This party has inspired me so much that I want to host a party too. Lol. Glad you had a good time, DJan.

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  4. love those steps spilling down to the green grass - rather like bleachers to sit and eat on!

    the green leaves are really beautiful, too.

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  5. I'm confused. This is Tuesday. I thought you hiked on Thursday. I thought it was one group but you say two groups.

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  6. Another great hiking day and a great get together! Forty people..wow I am impressed..that is a bunch to get ready for! And now the summer hiking season officially starts..I am looking forward to seeing more wild flowers and maybe some wildlife:)

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  7. I'm glad you had good weather. It was very cold and very rainy here today.

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  8. I love the way that you and your group always have so much fun together. That cake looked just yummy. I'd have indulged. ;)

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  9. I find the horse trails tough to hike on as here they become channels for water to drain so they are always muddy. However, you had fun so great. Great eats.

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  10. How wonderful, a stroll (six miles can't be a hike now can it?), sunshine, and then a party with friends. It would be hard to ask for more.

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  11. What a wonderful way to get together. You seem to live life to the full D-Jan.

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  12. Who doesn't love a party! Your hikes have led me to begin reading Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods. It is very informative and funny.

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  13. What a beautiful home. I love the large balcony and the large steps cascading to the grass - what a large crew and what a lovely start to your hiking season. The light shades of green against the dark in your photo most impressed me. Friendship, great food, conversation and hiking are a most pleasurable pastime. Have a nice day DJan.

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  14. It is a shame you are losing your party place. Hopefully someone else steps up for the next one Memorial day. What a great idea.
    Such a neat group you have. You make me want to start one here. So far I haven't found one person to take a walk even, cept Mighty.

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  15. Looks like a great party!
    Your hikes and posts always leave me wanting to hit a trail. :)
    There is invigoration between the lines.

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  16. Sounds like a wonderful celebration! And a mere six miles...lol!

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  17. What a fun group! You guys will miss that place if they sell it.
    Loved the young leaves shot! :)

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  18. Too bad they are thinking about selling the house, it looks like a perfect party place. The cake is beautiful but it's the salad that made my mouth water.

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  19. You crack me up, "only 6 miles" indeed. I am a senior and I don't walk that far ever. I used to ride my bike 9 miles every day before moving here, so there is hope for me if I can ever get myself to travel that far again. It was easier living in a suburb of a large city that provided safe and large bike trails. Nothing like that here in this little place. The pictures of the get together are great. Lots of hikers sharing a birthday bash.

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