First hike back home

So many cool friends

Well, although my time asleep last night was a bit on the short side, I decided when I woke up this morning to go ahead and join my fellow Trailblazers on a hike in the Chuckanuts. We started from the North Chuckanut Trailhead and hiked up and down around nine miles and 2,000 feet. I was sure tired by the time we reached Raptor Ridge, but I knew it would help me get back to normal if I went out today.

Frilly decorated mushroom

Melanie pointed out this pretty mushroom and we all exclaimed over its decoration, frilly and delightful. I am so blessed to live in the Pacific Northwest, even with all its rain (which we didn't have any of today). It's so green and lush, beauty everywhere I looked.

Happy birthday, Al!

Melanie had let us all in on a little secret before the hike started: it is Al's birthday, and she bought this lovely ginger cake and stuck a single candle in it. When we reached Raptor Ridge and had finished our lunch, we gathered around him and sang "Happy Birthday."

Al smiling at his surprise party

Cutting it into 13 pieces

We all enjoyed the ginger cake with cream-cheese frosting before heading back down the trail, where we made a loop and returned a different way, making the entire trip a very good workout, especially for those who had recently returned from travels. My long day was nothing compared to Tom's, who just returned this morning from Sri Lanka and a 13-hour flight. We were both really tired but happy to be there.

View from Raptor Ridge

Although we didn't ever have direct sun today, I saw that there was definitely sunshine in other places. It looked like it might clear off, but  then it didn't, and now it's completely overcast. But it was perfect hiking weather for us today, with perfectly wonderful companions.

It takes a village

Dianne saw these tiny little mushrooms just before we reached the cars. She sent the picture to me, and I marveled at the minute little "village" of mushrooms. They are new to me; I've never seen them before. Aren't they pretty?

The final mile of today's hike looked like this

I loved my trip to Florida, but it only took one day for me to realize that this place is my home. It's always wonderful to visit a different place, because you return to the familiar, seeing your surroundings with new eyes. Today that is what happened to me. A magnificent day.
:-)