Hannegan Pass Wow factor

Fred (in the red hat) likes to talk about the "Wow factor" on our hikes. Today nine Senior Trailblazers headed up the Mt. Baker Highway to the Hannegan Pass trailhead, where we got to experience lots of "WOWs". The weather forecast was for morning clouds and sunny skies in the afternoon. (Notice there was no rain, which made us VERY happy.) The trail was pretty snow free until we got to the Hannegan campgrounds, but we wanted to make it to the pass, which meant traversing some snow.

Just above the turnoff to the campgrounds, we ran into some serious snow, which was pretty much constant until we got to the pass. It was fairly easy to follow the trail, however, with a good leader. The clouds had not lifted at all, and in this picture you can see that the filtered sunlight was causing mist to rise off the snow. It was pretty warm, and we were all very comfortable until we turned the final corner to Hannegan Pass. At this point we had a breeze coming from what seemed like both directions, and being sweaty from the 2,000-foot elevation gain, stopping for lunch meant getting a bit chilly.

Yes, this is Linda trying to get warm after having had lunch, at 5,000 feet elevation on August 11 in the Pacific Northwest. There have been days on previous hikes to this point when we didn't see any snow at the pass and went on to the summit of Hannegan Peak. Take a look here if you don't believe me. In 2009, I went all the way to the top, but this year three of our numbers decided to give it a try and got nowhere. The snow this year has made it totally impassable. At least for a bunch of old seniors.

Not all of us are all THAT old. Joanne, a new friend, joined us for the first time today. She was the youngster on today's hike, but since she's over sixty, I figured it was all right to let her join us. She's very fit, and she and her husband are active in several local hiking and climbing groups. I learned a great deal about her today, and I think she would have left me in the dust, had she not been so sweet and accommodating to her new hiking buddies.

We headed back down and made it to the cars with plenty of time to spare. Our daylight is beginning to wind down; I notice that we are losing more than three minutes of daylight each day, but it's so green and lush wherever we hike, I realize there are some benefits to having such a cool and snowy summer. Hopefully it means that our fall will extend into many golden days ahead. But nothing is for certain, except that we are blessed beyond description in this part of the world. I couldn't even begin to cover the gorgeous wildflowers I saw on this hike that contributed to the Wow factor, so if you really want to see more, click on the "Trailblazers Summer 2011" in the sidebar.
:-)

Thornton Lakes

Only four Senior Trailblazers showed up to drive the 84 miles south of Bellingham yesterday and take in the sights at Thornton Lakes. I am standing at our high point of 5,050 feet, the ridge, with Thornton Lake still frozen below me. In the cirque behind are two smaller lakes, both of which have the name "Thornton," which we could not see. The view was spectacular, wouldn't you say?

Once we drove past the town of Marblemount, we turned off the main road onto a well-maintained steep side road for five miles up to the trailhead, which not only goes to the lakes but also to Trapper Peak. We met some hikers at the junction who tried to make it to the peak but were turned back by snow and some treacherous spots.

Picture taken by Mike

Our goal was only to make it to the ridge above the largest lake. We did consider hiking along the ridge, but the snow was making the hiking more of a chore, so we called it a day once we got to the gorgeous view in the first picture. A few of the stream crossings were not exactly easily forded. In this one you see Al doing what I also did: shinnying across on our behinds. Although it was possible to walk carefully across, like Fred is doing, a slip would not have been fun and could have been disastrous. Just because I jump out of airplanes does NOT mean that I am fearless, believe me.

Most of the trail (the first four miles) are in lush shady forest, as you see above. Mike (in the white hat) had just asked Fred to dip his hat in the stream below so he could pour ice-cold water over his head and down his t-shirt. Although you can't see it in the picture, there IS a stream there, and Mike is actually gasping from the cold water that is now running down his torso. The day's temperature was delightful, but whenever we reached some full sun, I realized how very hot we would have been without all those trees.

Driving down to this part of the North Cascades for a hike meant that we were unsure of the names of the peaks we saw. This one I believe is called the Horsemen, and I love its jagged ridge and sharp peaks. It was simply an amazing day, filled with adventure because of the new terrain and sights (and stream crossings). I would return there again in a minute. Although the ten miles we covered were not really difficult, for some reason I was very tired and sore by the time we reached the car. Our total elevation gain and loss was 2,750 feet: moderate when compared to some of our other hikes, but plenty for us yesterday.

When we drove back to Marblemount to find a place to have dinner, we learned that a downed power line had caused the entire town to be without power since 11:30am, so we drove on to Rockport and went to the only place in the little town to eat, the Rockport Pub. It was quite satisfactory, and by the time we arrived back at the Senior Center just before 8:00pm, there was no chance I would write a post yesterday. Just getting home and relaxing was enough to tire me out! Today, however, I have gone to the Y and taken my Strength and Tone class and made it home in time to write this post. Mission accomplished!
:-)

Crow Planet

SquirrelQueen just asked me to tell her what books I got at the bookstore yesterday. Since I just finished the first one, here goes! I was actually at the bookstore to get Lisa Genova's latest novel, which just came out in paperback, Left Neglected, about a woman who has a serious brain injury. I simply loved her first book, Still Alice, so much that I have read it twice already.

While minding my own business, I saw the cover of Crow Planet and picked it up. This is the book I just finished reading a few minutes ago. After I browsed for a short while through the book and realized that the author lives in Seattle, I couldn't help myself. It's a very interesting book about the proliferation of crows in our urban environment, exploring the reasons why they are increasing while other species are declining. She's written a very provocative book, and I recommend it if you want to know more about how to find our place in what she calls the zoöpolis, where humans and animals live together.

I also couldn't resist a used book by Jodi Picoult, House Rules, about a boy with Asperger's Syndrome. I recently finished my first book by Picoult and enjoyed it, so I figured I would enjoy this one as well. She's a good writer.

Oh, and just as I was leaving the bookstore, another book leapt out and grabbed me: How to Live: A Search for Wisdom from Old People. How could I resist a book with a title like that, which they were practically GIVING AWAY for just a few dollars? It's a book wherein Publisher's Weekly says the author (Henry Alford) "recognizes that the elderly have been through more in their lives than the rest of us, and figures it might be a good idea to talk to some of them and see if they have any meaningful advice to impart."

So I'm good for at least a week or two, with books to challenge, entertain, and ponder. There ya go, SquirrelQueen!
:-)

Abundance

Ahhh. My spirit is filled with the sense of abundance, which has been helped along by my full tummy after eating a delicious cantaloupe from the market. And this picture typifies the Bellingham Farmers' Market this morning: fruits and vegetables galore, with summertime flowers around every corner.

These big beautiful dahlias don't appear until midsummer around here, and I think they are some of the most magnificent flowers I've ever seen. There is nothing quite as elegant (to me) as a perfect rose, but the dahlia bursts out like fireworks, a joyous shout of amazing colors. The market was crowded today, although the low clouds and breeze made a light jacket necessary for most of us. You can tell the natives from recent transplants: light t-shirt or blouse with nary a sign of discomfort, while here and there you might see someone walking around with a parka and gloves! I was in the middle.

The buskers were in fine form at the market today. I hadn't seen this group before, playing simple but catchy tunes, probably their own. Their sign let me know I was listening to the "Rattletrap Ruckus," a very appropriate name. Although you can't see the accordion player very well, or the bass "broom," they all played together quite professionally. (In case you are not familiar with the term "busker," this Wikipedia link tells you its meaning.)

I took eight books back to the local bookstore to receive a credit on my account and walked out with four new ones. I cannot help myself: I only intended to get one, but they reach out and grab me. It's out of my hands. Another reason for feeling abundant: four new books to read!

I will be really happy when the pool at the YMCA opens up again on the 15th; I think it would have helped me recover more quickly from last weekend's lower back sprain. This morning I was able to walk with the Fairhaven walking group, but I'm thinking I'll probably skip the skydiving tomorrow. Although it would probably be okay, it was while I was packing up that I wrenched it, and I don't want to take the chance that I'll hurt it again. Next weekend will be soon enough, I tell myself.

I can always change my mind if I wake up tomorrow totally pain-free and rarin' to go...
:-)

Our first 2011 summit

Here you see two of my favorite sights: Mt. Baker and new friend and hiker Diane on the summit of Excelsior Pass! We tried this hike in mid-June only to get part of the way up to this view, because of the SNOW. We have been turned back time and time again because of the snow becoming impassable, or because of weather. Today ten Senior Trailblazers forged our way to the pass, although we had to climb through around a mile or so on snow.

The first four miles of this hike from the Mt. Baker Highway is uphill but in the trees, shaded and very lush and green. We were climbing about a thousand feet of elevation for every mile, so we didn't go very fast. At somewhere around 4,800 feet we ran into snow most of the rest of the way to the pass. There were a few bare spots, but not too many. It's always a bit harder to walk in the snow, because it often seems you take one step forward and a half step backwards. And it was very sunny!

Once we reached the ridge, we had a spectacular view of Mt. Baker. It was simply stunning in its beauty, and although the temperature had reached the high 70s, the light breeze blowing across the snow helped to keep us cool. We even sat on the snow (with our cool little inflatable pillows) and chose the shade, since it was pretty intense in the sun. The summit is at 5,350 feet and we started at 1,800 feet, so this tells you that we climbed around 3,500 feet from the parking lot to this place.

The glacier lilies that you see in the foreground are only around for a few short weeks after the snow recedes. Although it is early August, we usually have a clear shot by this time of the year to our lunch spot. But not this year. As we chatted about the day, the view, and how glad we were to finally get above 5,000 feet elevation, we realized how fortunate we are to have each other, the place we live, and the chance to do it again and again for the rest of the season, before the snow flies once again. Now that the snow is beginning to recede, we are getting to have our own summer, just now beginning while the rest of the country has been suffering with the heat.

Once we finished our lunch (and yes, that is snow), we headed back down to the cars. It was a very long day, covering almost nine miles up and down during those 3,500 feet of climbing up and down. My back had no problem with the uphill hiking, although I did lean rather heavily on my trekking poles, but on the way back down, I realized that my sacroiliac joint was taking a pounding. Now that I am home, happy and content with a day well spent, I am realizing that a couple of ibuprofen will probably be necessary when I go to bed. Tomorrow I get a massage from my regular therapist, and I'll be incredibly happy to turn over this battered body to her ministrations tomorrow. Life is good.
:-)

Success!

I took this picture of what I think is a Canadian goose mated pair, but I can't tell any difference in the markings between them. However, they hung out together for quite awhile and the one in front lowered his head, charged and heckled other nearby geese, as if to say that this is his girl, leave her alone! They mate for life, and I'd guess they are wearing wedding rings. (smile)

First of all, the heading of this post is regarding my chiropractor visit and the SUCCESS of the treatment. Smart Guy just made a remark that he is glad that the treatment has been so successful, not just for me, but also for his comfort. I suspect that I am really not much fun to be around when I'm in pain. I wouldn't know, though, since the only thing I'm aware of at that time is trying to avoid more discomfort. Other people's difficulties are secondary to my own. I hate to admit it, but there it is.

Although I had a great night's sleep last night and walking to the bus stop this morning was almost pain free, I worried about taking my aerobics class and whether it would make things better or worse. Everything I've read on the Internet, however, says that exercise is good for lower back pain. By the way, it is the sacroiliac joint that is causing the pain. Remember when we were kids and we would hear some old fart talking about her sacroiliac causing her trouble? Well, that's now ME! I remember hearing her talking about "throwing my back out," which is exactly what I have wished I could do for several days now.

But today I noticed that I have been able to walk around, get up and down from chairs, tie my shoes, and actually do these things and not feel constant pain. I am now a believer in chiropractic care, and next time I won't wait so long. Now that I've got a great guy who actually gave me a big teddy bear to hold while he adjusted me (really!), I am feeling like I've just gained a resource that was missing in my health care regimen.

And I also feel confident that I will indeed be able to go on tomorrow's hike with the Senior Trailblazers after all! I had almost convinced myself I needed to stay home, but now I'm thinking I should pack some extra ibuprofen, just in case. And the best part is that I notice I am actually smiling while thinking about taking on a hard hike with a less-than-perfect sacroiliac joint. It's not easy, but somebody's gotta do it!
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Heading to the chiropractor

DJan & Linny, 30 July 11

Right after this picture was taken last Saturday, we went up in the Caravan with four other friends and made a wonderful skydive together. It was getting late in the afternoon, and Linny had to leave no later than 3:00pm to head to work. No matter, we had made four jumps together and I was ready to pack up and head home myself, tired from a good day at the Drop Zone.

However, as I was packing my chute, I wrenched my lower back when I tried a new maneuver (shown to me by Smart Guy) that would help to keep the canopy together, making easier to fold up and get in the deployment bag. Ouch! I should have known better, because I've thrown my back out before making the same movement (bending over at the waist with arms stretched out in front of me, especially with any weight in my hands). I didn't think much of it, since I knew that eventually I would be all right again, so I finished the pack job, drove home and discussed the day's activities over a nice glass of wine.

But in the middle of the night, I realized that I couldn't turn over or get comfortable easily, as my sciatic nerve was still pinched and painful. Time for ibuprofen. I went back to sleep and since Sunday was a nice gentle day with no plans, I didn't worry much. Yesterday (Monday) I went to my usual aerobic class and only found difficulty with a few moves, but it didn't seem to be getting better. Certain movements are actually pretty excruciating, and it has continued into today's activities.

At my workout this morning, I plaintively asked the entire class if anybody knows of a good chiropractor, and one woman, Joy, told me she swears by hers. I did feel somewhat better after the class, but I am still unable to get up and down from a prone position without serious pain in the sciatic area. I called her chiropractor's office and will be heading over there in a couple of hours. Sitting here at my computer is not painful, but if I bend forward to tie my shoes and try to straighten up... ouch! It was obvious to everyone in my class that I was not my usual bouncy self.

The main thing I have noticed is how chronic and persistent pain can change my entire viewpoint, making the focus of my daily life change from joy and exuberance as I dash from one thing to another to one of simple endurance. What can I do that will make the pain less? I'll post a quick followup after I get back from the chiropractor's office to let you know if he was able to help. (I thought about taking my camera with me to make an adventure out of this, but I'm thinking better of it. Why tempt fate?)
:-(
(News flash: Russell is a good chiropractor, he pushed, he pulled, vibrated the area with heat, but he was really gentle and could not move the S/I joint to give me complete relief. However, I'm better, and he was truly empathetic. I was wrapped and basted and I THINK moved towards healing. We'll see in a day or two.)