Fragrance Lake

Our hikers 

I was very lucky during our hike to have found so many new friends. We had eight women and one plucky man. The hike was led by Sandy, third from the left in this picture, taken by a passerby. It was cool when we started, but by the time we reached the lake, it was getting warm. Not terribly so, but definitely into the 70sF. We passed many other hikers on the way to (and from) the lake, and plenty of dogs, too.

Many wswimmers, both four- and two-legged

I had a hard time with the strong sunlight, with bright sun and shadow, making it hard to see my footing when we returned via the same trail. With the help of Kathy, one of the hikers, who held my arm and told me what I was seeing, I was able to make it back to the cars. I skipped the loop around the lake, but everyone else went, so I got their picture as I waited.

Sandy in front as they finished the loop

I certainly enjoyed myself, but when I got home, drank a bunch more water, I then quaffed a cold beer. I got distracted by reading the news and forgot to post this, so here it is a day late. Life is good and I'll try to be on time next week. 

:-)

Hovander and potluck

Sunshine and lilypads

Today some of the Senior Trailblazers went on a leisurely walk around Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale, a short drive from Bellingham. 

Hovander Homestead Park preserves the rich history of pioneer farming and offers recreational opportunities for all ages in every season. The park encompasses nearly 350 acres, including over a mile of river frontage.

We broke into two groups and walked around the area, one around Tennant Lake (covered with lilypads, as you see here) and the other in Hovander Park itself. I don't know how many people we actually had, since we went in opposite directions soon after arriving at the park. We enjoyed a leisurely walk, meaning nobody was in a hurry, and the warm sun, with a delightful cool breeze, kept us from getting too hot. Here's another look at those lilypads.

Tennant Lake

There is a walkway that winds around this area, which we took (the top picture is from there), and then we went back to the homestead to join the other group. We then made our way from the park to John S's home in the Ferndale area, and enjoyed a really wonderful potluck. I managed to keep from eating too much, which wasn't easy.

Enjoying our lunch in John's backyard

It was a very laid-back sort of day, with lots of food, sunshine, company, and conversation. Around noon, we packed up and headed back to our homes. Thanks to John S and his wife (whose name I neglected to find out), we had a lovely place for our annual beginning-of-summer gathering. We have grown so large that this was the second gathering, after another one earlier at Cornwall Park. It's wonderful that there are so many Seniors not only enjoying each other's company, but also getting exercise and sharing stories and adventures with the others.

I did manage to eke out 10,000 steps for the day, which it wasn't all sitting eating. But in retrospect, that's pretty much what it felt like. Nice for a change, don't you think?

:-)

Padilla Bay

Today's hikers

Today eight hikers (all women, by the way) met at the northern entrance to Padilla Bay, which is near Anacortes. We also went through Edison, where I have on occasion stopped to buy some delicious baked treats at the Breadfarm Bakery. Today we went on through and came to a place where we could park and start our excursion along the flat four- to five-mile dike. There are two starting points, one where we started, north, and another at the southern end. It doesn't really matter where to start, the distance is the same from one end to the other. And I don't think I have ever been on any hike that is flatter than this one. We didn't have any up or down, just... well, flat, with crunchy gravel underfoot.

A short distance to the dike

Once we parked our cars and used the facility, it was just a short way to the beginning of the estuary. It was the only elevation on the entire excursion. Although it looks like waves out there, it is the exposed mudflats and low tide. I found that out on a website (WTA):

At high tide, the water will cover the whole bank. At low tide, the water will be completely gone from the bay, exposing the mudflats. The grass you see growing along the slough is eelgrass, an important native grass harboring small salmon, crab, and other invertebrates that, in turn are food for the eagles, herons, otters and seals.

We were certainly fortunate today, as the air temperature could not have been more perfect: maybe 65 deg F with a very light breeze. We walked around two-and-a-half miles to the southern entrance, stopped for a little break (there was also a porta-potty available) before we started back. Although we saw a few birds, redwing blackbirds, killdeer, plovers, and robins, as well as a few eagles high up in trees, there were no blue herons or other fancy birds like that. Nevertheless, it was a delightful walk along the dike, and I would return again without hesitation. It was pretty perfect, all things considered.

I sure am lucky to live here, especially how hot it got today in the Mideast and on the East Coast. I suppose if I were to acclimatize a little, I might not expire right away, but it would not have been much fun, either. Hope if you are in the midst of it, you are finding ways to cope.

:-)

Chuckanut Falls

Tiny little trickle

Today 11 Senior Trailblazers, led by Chris, went off to visit the Chuckanut Falls, starting from the Fairhaven Park area and meandering through the Hundred Acre Woods, crossing the Arroyo Bridge, and up the trail to the cutoff to the Falls. Since it has been incredibly dry for us in Bellingham, you would be hard pressed to find the tiny little stream that greeted us at the Falls.

We had a great time, even without much water; it was cool to start but got up into the mid-sixties by the time we started back. We retraced our steps and arrived back at the Fairhaven Park around 1:00pm. It was a pretty hard hike for me, since I hadn't done anything quite as challenging since I hurt myself in February. We climbed almost 1,000 feet of elevation (and descended as well), and depending on whose device you believed, we went somewhere around six miles, maybe closer to seven, but the light breeze and mostly shaded terrain made it quite do-able. I admit I was dragging at the end, but once I got home and nestled into my favorite chair, I feel just fine. My lower back complained a little, but not enough to even think about taking any Advil. Well, I thought it but managed to avoid any medication at all.

Our happy hikers

A picture was taken of our group by a park employee, and I was so happy to meet three hikers who were new to me. Sometimes the name tags feel a little overkill, but today it was wonderful to have them to remind me, more than once, of their names. Once again, I was almost the oldest hiker there, but not by much. One of these days I'll write a post about all the octogenarians in our groups. I'm so glad I have gotten back to joining the "happy trails" once again.

:-)

Toasty but beautiful

Gang of Eight

 Today I joined the Senior Trailblazers for a around-town walk. We didn't get iner any cars but headed off to Whatcom Falls Park from the Senior Center's parking lot. Another group was headed up to Horseshoe Bend in the Mt. Baker Wilderness, but none of us felt like getting in a car and driving for an hour each way. Instead, we walked around five miles round trip to enjoy the somewhat cooler weather for today. It is about ten degrees cooler than I endured on Sunday's walk.

One mistake I made on Sunday was waiting until after noon to go for a walk, when I discovered that there was no shade anywhere, and the temperature climbed to more than eighty degrees Fahrenheit. That might not sound all that hot for those of you more accustomed to hot weather, but I simply wilted. And I had also forgotten that the buses run on an hourly, rather than a quarter-hour, schedule on that day. So, even though I hoped to catch a bus back home, I missed the two times I tried to catch it. I eventually poured water over my head and managed to make it home in one piece. Today seemed quite moderate in comparison.

Today we started our hike out around 8:30, and even walking at a moderate pace, we were back at the Senior Center before noon. There was also a lovely brisk breeze keeping us cool as we walked, so it was really rather delightful. I met a new member, Yolanda, and enjoyed conversation with the other people I knew from other hikes.  For most of the way, my right hip and leg never began to hurt, so I think I can safely try some harder hikes without too much worry. It's been a long time since that icy fall in February, and I am much, much better now. For awhile I feared I would not be able to walk fast enough (or long enough) to join them any more. I will continue to take it easy and not force myself to take on anything too strenuous. 

Whatcom Falls is just a trickle

Our beautiful waterfall is a bit on the meager side today, since we've had so much warm weather and no rain. And we are now starting the really dry part of our summer, which often doesn't even get started until the 4th of July. This year is different, and I truly hope we can escape the really hot weather. I just don't do all that well in the heat, so I won't be going on long hikes in full sun. Not my favorite time of the year.

Now that I am home and enjoying the cool air inside, with the help of a fan, and moderate temperatures. I just enjoyed a nice sandwich and cold drink and am now ready for maybe a quick catnap. Feeling happy and well exercised.

:-)

Lazy day but lovely nevertheless

My favorite fern

I took this picture a few years ago, on a hike to Lost Lake from Gates Overlook, down the Rock trail, and down to the lake. I saw this stand of beautiful Maidenhair ferns and couldn't resist a shot. Today I toyed with the idea of hiking from the Two Dollar trail to Fragrance Lake and back, which was enjoyed (according to Joe's summary) by sixteen Senior Trailblazers. I made my first foray back into hiking last week, but I am having a bit of a sore knee that kept me from going far from home today.

Instead, I caught the bus to the coffee shop and hoped to see John, but he wasn't there, so I did my puzzles and then took the bus home. I got off a little early in order to have a bit of a longer route, but the one I initially considered would have given me a hike about the same length as the one that the Trailblazers did, but I decided against it. Instead, I was happy with a shorter three-mile hike, which we was plenty for today.

 The weather could not be more perfect. I woke this morning after having gotten nine good hours of sleep, but I just don't have the same impetus to hike alone as I do when I am out with friends. I listened to a podcast once I was on the trail, and I enjoyed being out in the gentle breeze and felt exercised and content when I got home.

Today was one of those days when I didn't have great luck with my puzzles and lost my long streak with Wordle, and I ended up cheating on the Strands puzzle (looking up the anwer after a long time trying to figure out the correct word), so those didn't help me feel all that accomplished. I did, however, come home to a good visit with SG, and now I am writing my Tuesday post without too much enthusiasm, but feeling glad to be alive and in good enough shape to walk in the sunshine.

Anyway, tomorrow I have a yoga class, and Thursday is my usual volunteer work at the Senior Center. And then Friday I am scheduled for a massage, so life is actually pretty good. Feeling happy and looking forward to a quiet day at home. Hope you are doing well, dear virtual friends.

:-)

Hello, old friend

Lake Padden, overcast skies

It's been awhile since I've been back to Lake Padden, although Melanie and I managed to hike here a few times every month. I've been unable to hike much, but I noticed that one of the Tuesday hikes today would be back in my old environs, so I decided to join the group. Most of the hikers went off to catch a ferry to Guemes Island, but three of us joined our leader Joe to take about a four- to five-mile hike at the lake. We started at the dog park and walked around 500 feet of elevation before finishing up with a moderately challenging up and down on the hills behind the lake.

Me, Bill, Joe and Mike

The cute dog belongs to the photographer; I asked if she would take a picture of us, and she was very willing, as was her poodle, looking very spiffy amongst those old hikers. It was quite pleasant, the temperatures in the high fifties and low sixties (F), and although we had high clouds, they did disappear before we finished our leisurely hike. It was, however, the farthest I've gone since my ice-capade in February. I was happy to find that I never had any pain in my hip or right leg. We did have some exciting downhill sections where I noticed that my left knee has not been used much lately. But nothing kept us from enjoying ourselves or our lively discussions.

Now that I've broken the ice, so to speak, I think I will feel okay about joining some longer hikes in the near future. I was afraid that I might be done with hiking, but today gave me the impetus to do some easier hikes with the Trailblazers this summer and see how capable I am. Or not. 

I wasn't sure at all whether it was a good idea to try this but it turned out just fine. Tomorrow I'll have another yoga class, and then Thursday will be my favorite day of the week: volunteering in the lunchroom. And just like that, another week and month will be behind us. I see that some areas will be very hot, and others very wet, but we are having our Goldilocks period, it seems. Just right!

:-)

Sunshine everywhere

 

More than 1,200-foot-long pier

The Little Squalicum Park has just opened this pier to the public. I went out myself to see what it's like, and this picture gives you an idea of what it looks like at low tide. It was a sunny weekend day, so lots of people were out and about. It's pretty neat to see what they've done to make it accessible.

The 1,248-foot-long stretch of industrial pier was built more than a century ago to carry railcars delivering cement products to barges moored in Bellingham Bay. It was donated to the city by Heidelberg Materials (previously known as Lehigh Northwest Cement Company) in November 2021, and pier improvements totaling $1.6 million were funded by the city’s Greenways Levy (Cascadia Daily News).

It's a wonderful addition to the Little Squalicum Park, and I suspect it will be well used during the spring and summer months. It was certainly well attended on a sunny weekend day when I took the picture. I'll be back many times, I suspect. The area has been part of one of my weekend walks for years now.

Tomorrow will mark seventeen years since left Colorado and moved into this apartment complex. SG had been here a few months, looking for a place to live, and we are still here, although in a different apartment. There are 26 different one- and two-bedroom dwellings, and the place has been home for us since we moved here in 2008. I saw this tree in bloom as we emptied our U-Haul van. We had downsized a great deal and managed to get all our furniture into the vehicle. 

Flowering cherry tree

It was a sunny day like this one, on the day we moved in. Neither of us would have believed we would still be here after all this time, but here we are. To access our apartment, we walk up the steps on the right (16 of them) to access the second floor. Over the years, it had changed somewhat, with a new roof and driveway repavement, but mostly it's just the same. The only thing that has truly changed is the amount of money we pay to live here. But it's really a nice place to have ended up. 

We are hoping that our Social Security checks will continue and give us a chance to stay here, but nothing in our current environment feels very stable. Uncertainty is the word that defines our country today. Hopefully it will all work out. In any event we are happy to be doing as well as we are, in our early eighties and still truckin'!

:-)

Laid up on injured list

Joe the leader posted this shot today

Not much to say today, just slowly getting better after taking a hard fall on the ice last week. I am finally able to get up out of bed, but I still cannot do my usual morning exercises without serious pain, and I don't know what I would have done without my sweet support staff (you know, my hubby), who has been helping me out of bed each night to take a visit to the bathroom, and then covering me up again and tucking me back in bed afterwards. I fell on the ice last Wednesday morning, so it's almost been a week, and each day has seen some progress. I've weaned myself off the drugs of everything except an occasional Advil. The trip to the ER was my outing for the week.

Eight people went up today Lookout Mountain and captured this lovely picture of our snowy and extremely cold weather. Last night we were in the teens and even after a full day of sunshine (as you can see from Joe's picture), it has barely reached the freezing level. Hard to remember another time like this.

But I am getting better every day and hope to return to activity soon. I think if I had to, I could walk to the bus stop by now, but I am not tempted to go out in this extreme weather and possibly hurt myself again. I tell myself to take baby steps and most of the time, I listen.

:-)

South Hill history hike

Do we look frozen?

Today, we were treated to a cold but fun hike in the South Hill area of Bellingham. One of our members, John, grew up in the area and showed the eighteen of us what the area looked like over the past century or so. We started at Boulevard Park, seen above, with sunny but frigid weather (around 27°F). We were all bundled up and set out from here uphill (which nobody minded, as it warmed us), into the Taylor Dock area. We made several side excursions to see different sites of historical interest. We learned about why the streets in Bellingham are so skewed: the remnants of four cities.

Bellingham was officially incorporated on December 28, 1903, as a result of the incremental consolidation of the four towns initially situated on the east of Bellingham Bay during the final decade of the 19th Century. Whatcom is today's "Old Town" area and was founded with Roeder's Mill in 1852.

John showed us where the home he grew up used to be, which is now condos and apartments. He played in the area and told us that the current beautiful Bellingham Bay was, at one time, a dump. No, really: a place where old dilapidated buildings and homes were just dumped, along with lots of other detritus. He said that it smelled so bad that if he and his friends played near there, they had to bake a bath before they were allowed into the house. And now it's just beautiful. Hard to imagine.

We made our way up the Taylor hill and saw the elementary school where John went, and it's still filled with students, playing outside in the cold, some with short sleeves and sandals! 

Old pictures from the early 20th century

John had some pictures that showed what the area looked like long ago. That's John with some of them, which I captured with my cellphone, but they aren't very good, so I'll skip trying to show you. We did compare them with today's landscape, which chronicles incredible change. We walked up a street where we met a truly interesting person, Brian Griffin, who showed us his garage where he builds ukuleles, and much more. That article gives you a good synopsis of his many talents.

Then when we reached the top of the Taylor Hill, we headed to Western Washington University, which I learned was once simply a teachers' college. His parents and he himself graduated from there. We also saw the town's original hospital, where he was born. I cannot even imagine living one's whole life in one area, since I've done so much moving around, not just growing up, but afterwards as well.

Our lunch spot

After finding and making use of the bathrooms in the main university campus area, we stopped for lunch. It was still bright and sunny, and it had warmed from cold to almost bearable, but nobody was shedding much clothing, as you can see here. For such a cold day, we had a really good time, and I learned so much about the history of my adopted home town. Thank you, John, for everything you shared, making the time we had today a memorable one.

:-)

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. 

:-)

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.

:-)

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.

:-)

Slacking off

Lake Ann

Well, many of the Senior Trailblazers are heading to Lake Ann today, one of my favorite hikes of yesteryear. It's an almost nine-mile-long round-trip hike up to this viewpoint and back. I was told the first time I did this one that "it's uphill both ways," and they are right: first you start by descending around a thousand feet in shaded forest, but once you get to the Swift Creek section of the hike, you begin an uphill slog through rocks and full sun until you reach the summit at 4,900 feet of elevation. You've been baking in the sun the whole time going up to the lake, after having left the forest behind at Swift Creek. We are experiencing probably the last really hot part of the summer; it sure was enough to make me look at my pictures and be glad for my friends, but also glad I decided to skip it today.

The lake and Mt Shuksan view

It is a simply beautiful hike, and the views of the back of Mt Shuksan and the Coleman Glacier are also stunning. I didn't swim in the lake, but I did take off my shoes, rolled up my pants, and waded in the water for awhile before we started back. I think I last made this trip before the Pandemic, and now I am not only older but not in as good shape as I was then. And I still remember how much I suffered on the uphill sections.

I planned to take a nice walk this morning after leaving the coffee shop, but by the time I got home and changed into cooler clothes, it was already hot, so I skipped my usual walk. I was going to say that I would "rest on my laurels," but after looking up the meaning of the phrase, I realize that it's more accurate to admit that I'm just slacking off, taking it easy today. I am not going to allow my Apple Watch to admonish me, since I think it's perfectly okay for me to park myself inside while relaxing in an easy chair and enjoying the coolness of the indoors.

But I do hope those young whippersnappers are having a great day. Each time I do this, stay home, it gets a little easier, especially since I had a lovely hike in the wilderness on Tuesday, when the temperatures were at least ten degrees cooler than today's. Tomorrow will be another hot day, but then it is projected to cool off to more normal temperatures, just in time for my Saturday walk with my friend Steve.

Today would have been my first husband's eighty-third birthday, although he's been gone for decades, I still think of him now and then and hope if there's something after this life, he's having a great day, too. In the meantime, I'm basking in my continued ability to feel such gratitude for all my blessings.

;-)

Chain Lakes

Snow still around Artist Point today

You can see the still remaining snow fields at Artist Point today. Sixteen Senior Trailblazers took the long drive from Bellingham to the terminus of the Mt Baker Highway, to begin our hike from Artist Point down to Heather Meadows. The way our leader, Joe, arranged it was to get all of us up to Artist Point and then get two drivers to head back down to leave cars so that we could all skip the steep Wild Goose trail. While the cars were being exchanged, the first group of eight began our descent on the Chain Lakes trail.

Beautiful Mt Baker from the Artist Point trail

As you can see from these pictures, it was sunny, no clouds at all in the sky, and it began to get really hot as we hiked to the junction. One way takes you to Ptarmigan Ridge, and the other down to Chain Lakes. We got to Iceberg Lake before noon, and stopped to have a lunch break. The other group arrived while we were busy enjoying our lunch.

Iceberg Lake, still with some snow fields

It was a beautiful day, filled with plenty of conversations and camaraderie as we navigated the trail. First it was level, then some downhill, and then when we got to the lake, we began an uphill climb up to Hermann Saddle. 

I've taken this shot before, but this is today

As we began our ascent to Hermann Saddle, the sun got more and more intense, and I had to stop often to replenish my oxygen reserves, and keep going uphill. The beautiful day could have been ten or twenty degrees cooler for me, but I managed (with help).

Me and Mt Shuksan

I really thought by the time we began the final stretch that it would be easy, but it was anything but. I had to take careful steps on the endless stretches of rock, and realized that I had chosen the wrong shoes: I needed my hiking boots but left them behind, instead opting for more comfort, which turned out to be incorrect. I needed stability.

My two heroes

By the time we reached the final stretch, I began to flag. My energy slipped away and I had to stop often to catch my breath and gather my strength. I was saved by this couple, from the Bay Area in California, who saw I needed some help and gave me lots of water and encouragement as I finished the final miles of this hike. It turned out to be around six miles or so, in hot conditions, and once I reached the Visitor Center, my driver was already there with a cool car and a place to rest as we drove home. 

And now I am home much later than normal, but happy to be well showered, well beered, and ready to hit the sack and dream of beautiful mountains to come. 

:-)

Northern State Recreation Area

Outside the old cattle barn

Today, 21 Senior Trailblazers traveled from Bellingham to Sedro-Woolley, a short half-hour drive south, to visit the remnants of the Northern State Mental Hospital and the newly renovated Northern State Recreation Area on the site. Many of the old buildings are still standing, after many decades since it was abandoned as a mental hospital. It was built in the early 1940s to help with the overcrowding in the two extant hospitals of the day. From that link:

The state had the Northern State Mental Hospital built to ease the strain on the system. It quickly became the most crowded hospital in Washington state, with over 2000 patients by the 1950s. Although it was touted as one of the “good” mental institutions, where patients were treated with relative kindness, doctors at the asylum were known to perform horrifying experiments, including lobotomies and electroshock therapy.

We walked around the grounds, inspecting some of the buildings and imagining what it was like when it was in use. The buildings are often in amazingly good condition, after so many years of disuse.

It must have been well used

A lovely grove of trees

We walked through the cemetery, where the deceased were mostly cremated and put under small concrete markings with a number and sometimes initials of the person who died. There have been many people over the years who have tried to discover the identities of these remains.

A plaque to honor those buried here

We wandered through the remaining buildings and also went on some of the trails that have been added to the place, finding much beauty among the sorrowful remnants of the old hospital. We stopped for lunch in front of the abandoned buildings of the main hospital.

Sitting in the shade

For a place that has been vacant for so long, it is still in good condition and obviously upkeep continues. It's a lovely place to visit, even after all these years have passed. 

gtMaking our way back

The setting of this hospital could not have been more serene and hopefully some of the people housed here had decent lives. There are several books that have been written about the place, and I will find the time to look them up. It was an educational and exceptional day in many ways. I thank our leader, Barb, for bringing us there, and introducing me to a fascinating historical monument.

:-)