Late summer is getting hot

Today's projected heat in our area

I saw this graphic on my New York Times page, which shows the temperatures in my area, north to British Columbia, and south to Oregon. All that dark red stuff is on the east side of the Cascades, which always gets much hotter than over here on the western side, where the ocean breezes moderate our weather much of the time. (We live almost right under the "77" near the border.) When I walked to the bus this morning, it was actually cool enough for a jacket, but by the time John dropped me off at the Cornwall garden to start my journey home, it felt almost, well, warm.

I have a pretty full life, at least for an old retired person, and the only day during the week that I don't have an appointment for something is Tuesday. And since the Senior Center (as well as the buses not running yesterday) meant no Monday yoga, I'll have to wait until tomorrow for the Wednesday class. I sure feel better when I get stretched and tuned up.

I am finally through the whole procedure to remove that skin cancer, so I washed all my clothes that still had some vaseline residue from two weeks of constant slathering of it onto my neck. Now I'm back to my new normal, no more cancer, no more stitches. 

One thing I've noticed is that I am no longer feeling sorry about not hiking with the Trailblazers any more. I read about their adventures weekly, and I am glad that I've done these hikes often enough that I know exactly what they're doing. Now that I am just reading about and not actually doing them, I feel quite pleased that I have moved into another new phase of life. 

Sure is pretty and hello to Mt Baker

There are many things that I miss, but probably the hardest is that I can no longer appreciate the pictures of these places like I once did. My failing eyesight means that a picture is no longer just something I can take for granted, since the lack of depth perception means I often see something different than the real thing. And my ability to hike long, hard distances is fading fast. I suppose that's to be expected, since your body wants to do what it always did before, and I can't keep up any more. So, in a way it's a blessing to settle into my easy chair (not wanting to miss being outdoors I do some walking every day) and enjoy resting on my laurels. What does that mean, exactly? Well, the AI that comes up when I look for the meaning is:

To "rest on one's laurels" means to be satisfied with past successes and achievements, to the point of stopping any further effort or striving for new accomplishments, often leading to complacency. The phrase uses the ancient Greek and Roman tradition of awarding laurel wreaths to victors, symbolizing honor and accomplishment. 

Ha! I guess it's all right, then, if this octogenarian enjoys her retirement from reaching any new goals and pops on her many laurel wreaths and sighs with contentment.

:-)

Tri, tri, trillium

Trillium grandiflorum

I've been photographing these beautiful trillium flowers ever since I first started hiking in these woods more than a decade ago. They are so pretty and different from any wildflower I had seen before in Colorado, or other places I used to hike. Then I learned a lot of stories and information about these beauties from my hiking companions. 

First of all, I didn't realize that they take around seven years from when they are planted before they get big enough to produce a flower, and that only one emerges out of each three-leafed whorl, once a year. Here's some information:

Trillium grandiflorum is most common in rich, mixed upland forests. It is easily recognized by its attractive three-petalled white flowers, opening from late spring to early summer, that rise above a whorl of three leaf-like bracts. It is an example of a spring ephemeral, a plant whose life-cycle is synchronized with that of the deciduous woodland which it favours. (Wikipedia)

Melanie and I would be out in the woods every spring, looking for these flowers. They are also called "wakerobin" because they come out at the same time that the first robins return for the new season.  I took so many pictures, and my newest version of the photo albums on my Mac can now search for such things as "trillium" and give me a whole lot of options for pictures. I especially like this one because it shows the stamens (which there are six of, twice the number of the petals and the leaves) very large and prominent. Apparently this means they are fruiting. I know so little about plant taxonomy, but I sure do love my pretty trilliums I see in the forests.

A very happy crop of lush trilliums

I also learned there are a few different varieties of trillium, but these are the ones that grow wild in this area. There is a red variety, which apparently smells a little like rotted meat, or like (it says) a wet dog. Mostly the trillium I see, when they get a pinkish cast to them, are past their peak and on their way out.

This is the first year I actually haven't seen any, because since I fell and injured my right hip, I still cannot go very far without pain. It is gradually getting better, though. I had my first yoga class in the new Senior Center building yesterday, and other than the room being huge, almost cavernous, it was a very good class. I had to take a second bus to get there, but one of the other attendees gave me a ride home. It's been raining for days now, so I was glad I didn't have to walk home in the rain. Today it started out raining but has now been sunny and bright for awhile.

Tomorrow I will have the three-month checkup and cleaning for my hearing aids. If it's not one thing, it's another. And I won't even venture into the political world, it's so depressing. I'm doing fine, hubby is doing fine, and that's all that matter, right? As they say in Canada, elbows up!

:-)

Flowering into spring

Magnolia blossoms

Walking home from my trip to the coffee shop this morning, I caught these magnolia blossoms looking quite lovely. There is another plant in bloom in the foreground, but I'm not sure at all what it is. At first I thought it was Oregon grape, but there are no open flowers to help me identify it. I know about the magnolia blossoms, though. They are out all over town, and I looked for a better picture, but realized that this will do well enough. Everywhere around town, there are flowers coming out to greet the longer days.

I also wondered the other day where the song sparrows were, since I hadn't yet heard their unique song. And then they were everywhere, serenading me while I am out and about. So, not only there are massive amounts of flowers to enjoy, the sound of various birds thrills me, too. I can no longer pretend spring isn't here!

I spent my time at the coffee shop enjoying my double Americano and a nice marion-berry scone. After playing the usual games on my laptop, and reading the news of the day, I briefly thought about joining the easier of the two walks with the Senior Trailblazers, but when I walked out to head to the Senior Center, it was raining. Again. Instead, I caught the bus home and took that picture in order to have something to liven up my post. I've got very little to write about, but after struggling to get going, you'll just have to be happy with a low-key, rather humdrum chronicle of my Tuesday. Tomorrow I've got a yoga class, and Thursday I'll be back at my usual volunteer lunchroom duties, and then I've got a massage scheduled for Friday. So it's not anything much, but it's all I've got today.

And then next Tuesday will be taken up with the scheduled eye jab. I can't help but think about it when it gets this close, and then I have to wait for hours after the injection before eyesight returns to what passes for "normal" these days. At least I still have my left eye's central vision and pray that remains for a while longer. It's still there, for now. Fingers crossed.

:-)

New Year's Eve delight

New hiker Belinda on Blanchard Mountain

erers, twenty of us, drove from the Senior Center to Blanchard Mountain, to enjoy a six-plus-mile hike from the Upper Trailhead to Samish Overlook and back. One of the reasons we had so many hikers was the incredible break in the weather! Although it rained on and off for most of the day yesterday, this lovely day broke clear and cold, with rain not projected to come back until this evening. Of course, this might mean some people won't ring in the new year outdoors, but then again, wonders never cease in this part of the world. It's possible we might see some auroras, if the sky is visible tonight, but the mild and dry weather we had today was just spectacular.

Emerging from the forest 

We walked the trailhead in two groups, to help keep everybody together, and took the trail toward Lily Lake until we got to the turnoff to Samish Overlook. We expected some mud on the trail, but it wasn't awful at all, and we had to keep taking off layers as the day progressed. It was perfect weather, not too cold, not too muddy, with lots and lots of sunshine.

Chatting at the Overlook

Once we got to Samish Overlook, we joined the other group for extended visiting and taking the chance for a snack before continuing back the way we came. After last week's slog, this couldn't have been more different. And the view from the Overlook is not to be missed. I took this picture of Belinda, showing off her amazing hair.

Looking out at Samish Bay

There were still low clouds in the bay, but it just added to the beauty. I know you have seen a few shots of me lately (on my other blog), but Don took this one of me and I am going to share it anyway. I was definitely in my happy place, feeling good about the hike and the weather and... well, just about everything.

Just the best day

On the way back, I hiked with the other group and had a chance to visit with some other dear friends on the final hike of the year. Starting next week, we will have two hikes to choose from on Tuesdays, to help keep the numbers manageable, with one longer and one less challenging. What could be better than to have more hikes?

Waterfall

I didn't have a chanced to take a picture of the waterfall on the way out, so I decided I'd better show you what it looks like today. I've seen it completely dry, and other times when there was even more water. We've had a lot of rain lately, but not any sort of record, I guess. 

I feel so incredibly fortunate to have had the chance to end the year with a very memorable hike. Here's to many more ahead in the coming year! Wishing everyone a very Happy, Safe, and Hopeful new year. 

:-)

Pretty but dark and gloomy

Our small group today

This was the smallest Happy Wanderers group of hikers I've experienced so far. This group is usually quite large, well over twenty, but today nobody wanted to venture out in the projected weather. We are expecting to have well over two inches of rain, and before too long, even some wind. I am not in this picture, so it surprises me to see eight people and a dog! Then I remember we ran into a couple of fellow hikers who were being accompanied by their furry companions and probably why they were already out and about.

Friend John on the bridge

We didn't have any canine companions, but it was our regular hiking day, so our leader Joe took us to Whatcom Falls park where we walked around five miles. At first it wasn't raining, but it wasn't long before sprinkles joined us. The water in Whatcom Falls was pretty impressive.

Whatcom Falls today

I didn't take many pictures in the gloomy atmosphere, but it was a very nice easy walk, except for the short section where I couldn't find my footing. It was a rather deep muddy place, and I needed the help of several people to keep from hurtling face-first into the the mud. Fortunately I managed to stay upright. Otherwise, it was an uneventful hike in a familiar place.

Ferns and water

I watched Barb angle her cellphone over the bridge, and when I checked out what she saw, it was this rather interesting juxtaposition of ferns and fast-moving water. I know you wouldn't be able to tell what it was unless I told you, so there you go. 

And then we headed back to the Senior Center and I went inside to see what the place looks like with lots of people getting ready to have lunch. I briefly considered staying myself, but since the rain was still rather light, I figured I should probably walk to the bus and get myself home.

And it's raining quite hard out there at the moment, but the wind hasn't made itself known, but it's coming. I rather like being inside when its frightful out there!

:-)

British Columbia hike

Fort Langley hike starting point

Today seventeen Happy Wanderers set out from the Senior Center for an adventure to another country: Canada. We gathered in several cars, with the idea of driving across the border and to a very nice trail along the Fraser River which ends at the Fort Langley National Historic Site.  It was about 6 miles total with negligible elevation gain, with almost all of the walk on wide, flat, level park trails. The Fort Langley National Historic Site is a reconstruction of the old Hudson's Bay Company fort and trading post, the first British settlement in what is now British Columbia. 

Nice wide, easy trails

It was cold and foggy when we began our hike, but it was really pretty and easy hiking, other than the cold. We kept warm by continuing to move and not stopping much. John, our leader, helped us understand the significance of this area.

The site of the first trading post

The trading post was moved to another site, but this was the first place that the British built their trading post along the Fraser River. These days, you must pay a separate entrance fee to visit the present site, and John assured us it is well worth the price, but much too long for us to visit today.

Bog in the fog

We then visited the overlook showing the Langley bog, which wasn't much to look at, since we were looking at it through quite a bit of fog. It must be quite the sight when you can see all those wonderful critters.

Our first view of the mountains

As we left the bog behind, we got our first view of the wonderful mountains that had been hidden from us by the fog. From this point on, we had more sunshine and happy hiking as we made our way back to our starting point.

Walking alongside the river

We continued to hike along the river's edge, and as the fog lifted, we began finally to get warm enough to begin to take off gloves and hats. Once we got to the town of Fort Langley, and to where we had left half of our cars, the drivers made their way back to the starting point, where others of us were forced to enjoy a really nice repast. I had wild mushroom quiche and a fantastic hot soup. 

Don, me, Persis, and Bill

It was a really full and enjoyable day, with some of my favorite people. I am so happy to have discovered the Happy Wanderers segment of the Senior Trailblazers, and I continue to visit places that I previously didn't know anything about. And now I am home and ready to relax.

:-)

Little Cranberry Lake

Fifteen Happy Wanderers

One of the problems I have with my limited sight is trying to take a good picture of everybody in a situation like this one. I unfortunately lopped off half of Joe on the left, and had plenty of room on the right if I had been able to see better. Oh well, at least you can see that we had a great group of hikers who went off to Little Cranberry Lake in Anacortes, a forty-minute drive from Bellingham.

And it was cold: when we got to the trailhead, it was about 4°C (39-40°F). We lost one of our cars full of hikers, and by the time we found us more than a half-hour later, we were all frozen. But once we started hiking, it didn't take long for us to warm up. I was having a hard time with all the mud and slick spots on the trail, but once we got to a major junction, it got a little better. At least I didn't fall into the slimy mess, which was a major accomplishment. I was so happy to have my trusty trekking poles.

The group coming to meet me

At one point, I had to "water a tree" and took this picture of the group coming towards me. It doesn't show how awful much of the trail actually was today, but that is because when it was really bad, I had nothing left over to take pictures. I managed to stay upright!

Little Cranberry Lake

You can see how still the water was, and we also had very little breeze to deal with as we hiked. Once we got to the lake, we stopped for a bit of lunch, with picnic tables and the delightful view, along with lively conversations. We covered almosat five miles and 750 feet up and down, not a huge hike, but enough for me to get a decent number of steps for the day, and we not only had no wind, but also no rain. Apparently we have a major event headed our way, with plenty of wind and rain, so I was very happy that we had nothing like that today. It was a good way to enjoy the outdoors with some great friends.

:-)

Ten Ferndale parks walk

Pioneer Park buildings

One of our regular Happy Wanderers, John, took 27 of us to Ferndale, where he led us on a walk through ten different Ferndale parks that he visits regularly. We started at Pioneer Park, a place filled with old buildings from the past.

The purpose of the Ferndale Heritage Society is to educate the community on the history of Whatcom County, promote Pioneer Park and tourism in Ferndale, and bring together those people interested in preserving history and maintaining the log cabins and collections at Pioneer Park.

Once we spent time in Pioneer Park admiring all the old buildings, we started out on a circuitous route of the ten parks John introduced the group to. I know some people were very familiar with these parks, but I was not one of them. The only one I had visited previously was Hovander Park.

Beginning of Hanadori trail

John said that in all the years he has walked this trail, he has never seen any cherry flowers, but that he's seen plenty of birds. We saw some eagles and snow geese flying overhead, but alas, no cherry flowers. Along the way, visiting many other parks, we saw lots of commemorative plaques, such as this one.

Origins of Griffintown Park

We took a short trip down to the Nooksack River, and managed (for the most part) to keep such a large group together. There was one flurry of activity looking for three hikers who took a wrong turn. They were easily located, with the help of a cellphone.

The mighty Nooksack

By the time we reached this spot, it was time to make an excursion across town to visit the Edaleen Dairy, where many of us enjoyed a spot of ice cream. Fortunately, it had warmed up considerably from our early start, and it was a delicious treat. From there, we headed back through VanderYacht Park for a second time, went over and under the Nooksack bridge and ended up on the Riverwalk, which took us back to our cars.

Golden tree in Bellingham

 Once we made it back, we had covered around five miles and even a bit of uphill and downhill. It was a really wonderful and informative day. I took this picture of a tree in town that still has most of its leaves, even after yesterday's windstorm. One participant said they lost power for nine hours after a huge tree fell onto power lines. We didn't have anything much to speak of, other than a whole lot of newly fallen leaves.

I really enjoyed the day, and you can see the skies opened up from grey and overcast to mostly blue. No wind and sunshine almost always makes me happy. I do hope you are having a great day, too.

:-)

Fraser River Heritage Park

Some of today's group at Fraser River Heritage Park

On a day between rain, 25 Happy Wanderers went all the way into British Columbia to visit the Fraser River Heritage Park, a beautiful place about an hour's drive from Bellingham. There is the problem of getting across the border, but we had no problem and no wait passing through the Sumas crossing. You can see that there were quite a few dark clouds overhead, but we had little rain until we got back to outr cars. I think we are quite lucky on the rain front. 

It had rained quite a lot recently, and you could see lots of standing water and wet leaves on the trails. We decided to take a leisurely trip around the grounds, and then most of us went up the Heritage Mountain Loop, although once we got to the top, we turned around and returned the way we had come. All in all, we covered more than five miles, maybe closer to six. 

Bill, today's leader mapping our route

We did enjoy a quick lunch at the summit, but the views were limited and since we returned the same way we ascended the mountain, we saw a few great vistas, but mostly it was traversing the wet trail as we climbed around 700 feet of elevation.

Great view of the Fraser River

I knew that there was quite a bit of controversy over the Mission school that was located on the property, so I looked up a little of the history, which is available at this link. I knew a small amount of information about what happened at these schools before, but I found this quite interesting and informative.

Interpretive signs were installed in the park prior to the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The original interpretive signs were removed by the District of Mission as they did not adequately reflect the story of St. Mary’s or our deeper understanding of the long-term impacts of the residential school system enacted by the Government of Canada. A small group of First Nations representatives are engaging with the City of Mission and have commenced discussions to develop new signs or interpretive elements to further educate the community and reflect on the devastating impact of the residential school systems and the long-term harm caused to so many.

Frasier River and me

I had a great time and got a good workout as well, and I learned about a new place I had never been before. We climbed down from the mountain and made our way back to our cars, and then home in the United States. It was very restorative to be in another country, even if only for a day. I'm feeling quite happy right now, knowing how fortunate I am to have such good friends in such a great place to live. 

:-)

Barkley to Big Rock Garden

Terry and sculpture named "Hope"

Today fourteen Senior Trailblazers gathered to walk around five or six miles from Barkley Village to the Big Rock Garden and return. We are so fortunate to have this wonderful sculpture garden, with so many wonderful trees and bushes from all over the world to enjoy as well. We were last here in the spring, and today we saw beautiful maple leaves turning every possible color.

Brilliant maple

We all expected rain to keep us from completing the entire walk, but we were graced instead with dry weather and mild temperatures. We walked up and down around a thousand feet in our six miles, but it wasn't difficult and seemed quite perfect, actually, as we chatted and enjoyed the scenery as well as the company.

The group, plus me behind the camera

Here we all are, having a wonderful time in the beautiful lush environment of our trail, and at this time we are all nice and dry and happy to be out and about. By the time we started back towards our starting point, we felt a few sprinkles, but nothing much. However, just like last week, by the time we got to the cars, there was more rain coming down, making me wonder if we are just lucky or if somebody Up There is looking out for us. Whatever the reason for our dry walk, I'll take it! We enjoyed being out and about for yet another beautiful day in Bellingham.

:-)

Lovely day on Hertz/Connector trail

Today's Happy Wanderers

Only seven Happy Wanderers showed up today, when our original hike was changed because of construction, and instead we headed over to the Hertz trail and took a rather challenging trip up the Connector trail to the new overlook and back. The entire trip was somewhere over six and under seven miles, but there is quite a bit of elevation gain in a short distance.

Mushrooms along the trail

One of our hikers was happy to see these mushrooms, which she decided to harvest on the way back down. And she did indeed do that. Most of us are afraid of wild mushrooms, but not Leann. She loves these parasol mushrooms and never misses a chance to take them home.

The new connector trail beginning

We hiked for two miles along the Hertz trail, until we came to this connector trail, which most of us have been on before. It goes up to the Chanterelle trail, making an 11-mile loop now available to those of us who enjoy these trails. 

On the stairs

One of the interesting features of this new trail is a series of 347 steps taking us up, ever up, towards the overlook. A passerby took this of the group on the way up to the overlook. We did count the steps, and once before I got this total, so I think it might be accurate. I know my legs felt a little bit stressed by the time we got to the overlook.

At the top of the steps, our leader Persis

We walked the .1 mile to the overlook, and enjoyed a quick early lunch while we rested before beginning our descent. I got this wonderful photo of Whatcom Lake below us.

A glorious view

One of the reasons we didn't have more takers for today's hike was, I believe, that the day was supposed to bring a fair amount of rain. However, we didn't have so much as a raindrop as we went on our out-and-back excursion.

We even saw a bit of filtered sun

However, once we reached the cars and piled in for our return trip home, the rain began, first as a sprinkle, and then before we got to the Senior Center, a deluge. Once again, we lucked completely out with the rain. I am sorry we didn't have a larger group, but for my part it was simply perfect. I was very glad I went out with the Trailblazers today.

;-)

Cool Thursday

Warrior Three

 Five years ago, before the Pandemic that caused my favorite yoga studio (Yoga Northwest) to close, I won in a raffle a half-hour private session with Denise, my favorite teacher. She taught me how to do a version of Warrior Three, seen in the picture above, taken back in 2019 at the now defunct studio. It isn't exactly easy to do, or to get into it, but I was determined to learn the pose. As you can see here, I did manage to at least, if not perfectly, get into the correct position. The hanging straps, I thought, added an interesting backdrop. Denise took the picture.

The reason this picture came to mind is because I took a different yoga class today at the Senior Center where I have been attending a class every Monday for awhile. Now that  am no longer hiking regularly on Thursdays, I was also available for the class today. The teacher, however, was a substitute, as our regular teacher is sick with Covid.

It turns out that Dani, the sub, was also a student at Yoga Northwest for years. We chatted about our favorite teachers and how much we still miss the place. She teaches regularly at some place I have never heard of, but I was thrilled to have someone who knew the kind of yoga I practiced for years. And she will soon be teaching twice a week at the Senior Center, starting next month. She supplies poses that are more advanced than Mary, our other teacher, provides. So I figure I'll be changing classes soon. I still enjoy Mary's classes, but I feel much more worked out after today's class than I usually do. It will be nice to have a choice, and there will be many more classes to choose from. The two available classes are always full in no time at all, and you have to sign up weeks in advance. So, I am happy about this new wrinkle in my exercise routine.

 

Trail to Excelsior Peak

Today the Senior Trailblazers are hiking this trail, and I did briefly ponder whether I should go or not, since the temperature has cooled down drastically, and I do think they will have no problem with the seven or eight mile hike with a couple thousand feet of elevation. I probably would have done just fine, but for the first time since I decided to stop going on the Thursday High Country hikes, I didn't feel wistful that I should be there with them. Instead, I had a wonderful yoga class!

I had purchased that hat which makes me a lot like I belong in the French Foreign Legion, to help keep myself cool. It didn't work all that well, but then again, my age is beginning to make me look forward to some new activities. Being an octogenarian is challenging but also interesting. I am intrigued by those new neck fans that I see on Amazon. I will probably try one out next year. Life is good!

:-)

:-)

Horseshoe Bend

Sign at trailhead

Years and years ago, I came to this trailhead to hike along the Nooksack River to Horseshoe Bend. Since that time, the original trail, which was shorter, has fallen into the river and a new one built in the same general vicinity. Today, seventeen Happy Wanderers Senior Trailblazers carpooled from the Senior Cdenter up the Mt Baker Highway to this new parking area. It leads us to the new trailhead.

Cindy, today's leader

We started out along the Nooksack on a very well-maintained trail that took us 2.5 miles to a beach where we could have lunch. At first it was easy going, but a bit farther up the trail we encountered steep slopes and a bit of slipperiness. It didn't last long, but I managed to take a spill without injuring myself, fortunately.

Our lunch spot

The water was an interesting color, a little blue-green from the silt that comes from glaciers, I suspect. It was quite a nice little spot for us to rest and have our lunch. Nobody was in a hurry, and since it was still quite early, we spent some time enjoying the mild temperature and the little beach.

Another scene of the beach and Nooksack water

And then, as all things must end eventually, we packed up and headed back the way we had come. It was a little easier on the return, since most of the elevation gain (not much, really, maybe 200 feet) was less slippery on the return. It seemed much too quick a return.

Amazing roots running across this old stump

Never having been on this particular trail before, I was so happy to have found a short but interesting hike to visit in subsequent trips up the highway. And it is a delightful way to be out in the wilderness without going too far afield.

Pretty little mushroom village

I really enjoyed today's outing, and getting to experience a brand-new (to me) trip up the Nooksack to the beach. I would have liked it to be a little longer, but here I am, home and feeling quite rested even after today's adventure.

Huckleberries

Thanks to Thanh, who picked lots of huckleberries for us to enjoy, I learned about these pretty red ones, a little tart and a little sweet, but just delightful. This is only the little bit I hadn't yet eaten. 

Interesting tree and roots

It was another fine trip with my newest group. Many of them will be heading back up to the wilderness on Thursday, but I think I'll skip it, since it's supposed to get hot again and the hike is in full sun. My old bones will find something close by to get my daily exercise, but I'll be interested in how they all do. It is so great to have so much close by to enjoy, so I won't be sitting at home but out and about amongst my local haunts.

:-)