Thursday, August 13, 2020

Lower Salal trail

North Lost Lake trail on way to Lower Salal trail
Well, just to show that you can never anticipate what a day in the forest will look like, we stayed close to home today, rather than heading up to the wilderness as we had planned earlier. Why, you ask? I'll explain later. It turned out to be a beautiful day, if a little on the cool side, when we met at our usual Chuckanut trailhead. I had my friends Melanie and Dianne, and the wonderful dog Joe, to share the day with me.
Smiling Joe
We decided to hike up the North Lost Lake trail to the Lower Salal trail, which is a very pretty up-and-down delightful trail.
North Lost Lake trail
The Lost Lake trail meanders upwards at an easy angle, which is good because we knew we would be coming back on the Hemlock trail (which is a little steeper) after navigating the Lower Salal and part of the regular Salal.
Beginning the Lower Salal trail
You can see how this trail narrows to a single person track, after having been on the wide trail, and I am beginning to think this Lower Salal has become my favorite low-country trail. It's easy to get to and well marked and maintained.
Me and Joe
Melanie took this picture of the two of us, just as we were leaving the Lower Salal to join the next trail. We are both posing, as you can see. I am holding my breath so my belly wouldn't hang out over my pants, but I think it makes me look just a little silly. Joe looks natural, though.
Sun-dappled and delightful
Then we headed back to the cars, after a almost six-mile walk and wonderful company. We ended up passing perhaps a dozen people on the return trip, and everyone except one couple were masked. Our county is beginning to get the virus under control, since everyone is taking it seriously.

Now, about why we didn't go on a longer hike. My dear husband had a mild stroke on Sunday and spent the next two days and nights in the hospital. He is able to get around moderately well, but I knew that I didn't want to be gone all day, which would have happened if we had added another three hours just for travel. Hopefully we'll make it up there one of these days, but today was not the right time. I really needed to get out, and since I've been able to take my usual Thursday "forest bath," my spirits have risen and I can take whatever comes my way for the rest of the day.
:-)

18 comments:

  1. Oh DJan: I am sorry to read about your husband's stroke and so very glad that he seems to be doing pretty well. Holding both of you firmly in my heart.

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  2. Oh no. Even a mild stroke is a scary thing. Hoping for a full recovery and treatment to guard against it happening again.
    Your forest bath was the perfect remedy for you.

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  3. Sorry to hear about your husband. Hope he’s back to himself soon. ❤️

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  4. Oh my so sorry to hear of Smart Guys stroke, I sure hope he will have no long lasting effects...I can understand why you don't want to leave him for too long...tell him Hi and to listen to every word you say! :)

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  5. Best wishes to your husband for a speedy recovery.

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  6. Shocker to hear about your husband and a stroke. All the best to him for a full recovery.

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  7. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's stroke. I hope he continues to improve. You remember to take care of yourself while you are caring for him!

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  8. Sorry about hubs. I hope all is well now or will be soon.

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  9. I am sad to hear of your husband’s stroke. Glad he is home again and continues to improve. Take care of yourself too Jan.

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  10. wow...so sorry to hear of his stroke. I'd be afraid to leave him right now...did he have someone watch over him while you hiked? Either case, as always, beautiful hiking country & Joe is delightful...what great company he'd be.

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  11. I am so sorry to hear about Smart Guy's stroke and just glad he is home now. Hope he makes a complete recovery. Sending hugs to you both.

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  12. So sorry to hear about Smart Guy's stroke! I hope he's fully recovered soon. *love and hugs*

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  13. Oh, that's too bad about the stroke. I hope he makes a speedy recovery. Good that you were able to get some fresh air and exercise with friends.

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  14. I hope your husband recovers smoothly.

    Joe is a cutie.

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  15. I hope your hubby is recuperating well and getting better. I was shocked to hear of his stroke as he, like you, has seemed to be in excellent health. I was wondering, though, if this stroke was a subset of his bout with COVID as we are hearing more and more about lingering effects. I'm sure his doctor is taking good care of him.

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  16. I hope your husband is improving and will soon be back to normal. I'm glad that you got out into nature and found some peace and beauty. Joe is an adorable dog!

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  17. Wishing you all the best. It is very important to take care of yourself as well and refresh and replenish your spirit.

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