Stimpson Family Nature Reserve

Some of today's group

There might be people who are beginning to look familiar to you, since we seem to have a good number of returnees every week on Tuesday's Happy Wanderers group. You probably already recognize today's leader, Persis, third from left in a skirt (she almost always wears one, unless it's raining). We had seventeen people show up this morning for a short-ish four-and-a-half mile walk in Stimpson Family Reserve. We've been here many times before, but the whole place has been closed for awhile in order to install a new and improved parking lot. It now holds more than a dozen cars comfortably. Maybe even two dozen, I didn't count.

After days of rain, we had a respite today, but there was plenty of mud and slippery spots on the well-maintained trails. I didn't actually take many pictures, because that would have meant taking my gloves off and holding still, when all I really wanted to do was keep moving until I got warm. Eventually, I did feel much warmer, since the cold temperature wasn't exacerbated by wind: it was perfectly still.

Geneva Pond

There was plenty of lively conversation, and we took the two loops around the Reserve, enjoying the special nature of the area. The forest is largely undisturbed and displays characteristics of an old-growth forest, including Douglas Fir trees over 400 years old, a wide diversity of tree species, snags and decaying logs. Pets are not allowed in the Reserve.

Lovely ladies

When I first saw this picture, I thought that was me in the pink jacket. But no, I didn't wear it today. That's Kay, and I don't think I look that young, either. We didn't end up taking much clothing off as we walked, since it was right around freezing. 

Our lunch spot

We did end up stopping for a quick early lunch, although some didn't sit down (I was one of them) and eat anything, since it was still too early for me to be ready. It was not a leisurely stop, actually rather quick, but it was towards the end of the walk, and we did enjoy ourselves. By the time we got back to the cars, the sun had come out and cheered us with its warm November sunshine. Since there will be no more scheduled hikes with the Trailblazers this week because of Thanksgiving, we were very happy with our day's activities and look forward to many more wonderful hikes in the weeks and months ahead.

:-)