There's a fungi for you

Taken on a winter hike somewhere near Mt Erie

My friend Deb Shuka has challenged me to put up a nature picture on Facebook each day this week, part of someone else's challenge to her, and I agreed to do it. This got me going back through pictures taken in years past, and when I saw this one, I was really surprised. I'd stopped taking pictures of fungi because I thought I had never gotten a good one. Somehow this one didn't measure up before, but today I am thrilled to have found it.

I've also learned that my old Canon PowerShot that was stolen from me four years ago took some really good pictures, like this one and the one below. And I was reminded once again that the iPhone 6 might take good pictures, but it doesn't have salient features like a real zoom. I suppose I could check out add-ons that might give me that ability, but I'll probably just start carrying my camera along in my backpack so that I can take advantage of other options.

Mt Rainier captured from the top of Mt Erie

When I took this picture, I was standing atop Mt. Erie, the highest point on Fidalgo Island, where you can see Mt Rainier on a clear day, or on a day like this one. But I had to use my telephoto all the way out to make it look bigger than a teeny little mound, since it's more than a hundred miles away (118 to be exact). It's been fun going back and perusing my old pictures, and I realize that there is a real benefit to keeping these pictures handy.

So this little exercise that Deb challenged me to has got me all excited about photography again. Maybe I might find a little camera that does it all. Technology changes all the time, and I don't usually have any reason to keep up. It's Christmas, after all, and there are likely to be some deals out there. Right?
:-)

Another unpleasant day out there

Christmas wreath at the Farmers' Market

When I rolled out of bed this morning, I didn't hear any rain on the roof, so I was optimistic that the walking group might beat the projected rain. The forecast said that the rain would most likely hit Bellingham around 9:30am. Since we meet at 8:00, I hoped we'd escape the worst of it.

By the time we started walking, more than a dozen women, it was sprinkling lightly but it wasn't too bad. We walked for an hour and a half, and by the time we finished our brisk walk around the harbor and back, we were pretty soaked. The wind began to blow, hard (we've got a high wind watch until late tonight), so it's probably accurate to say we were sure glad when we finished and sat down in the coffee shop where it is warm and dry to drink our lattes, coffee, and espresso drinks. Nice indeed.

By the time we got up to leave, we donned our rather wet outer clothing with a grimace or two. It wasn't much fun but we had no choice by then. I pulled my raincoat hood snug around my head and set out for the Farmers' Market. There are only two more days before it closes for the season: today and next Saturday. I'll try to make it both days just to see all my favorite vendors one more time before they return again in April.

The wind was blowing pretty steadily, and the rain continued to fall. Well, not exactly fall; it was coming sideways into my face, making me wish I had windshield wipers for my glasses. The holiday spirit was strong at the market, though, and I wandered through and bought a few things before heading back to my car and returned to my nice warm home.

Meditating amidst the Christmas cacophony

Now that I am toasty warm and ensconced in my easy chair, I'm not likely to venture out again today. Tomorrow is supposed to be better, so I am trying not to lose my holiday cheer during this frightful windy, wet weather. May you also stay warm and dry.
:-)

It was a dark and stormy hike

Our lunch spot at Lizard Lake

Well, that picture makes it look a LOT less dark and stormy than it felt today. Ten Senior Trailblazers went up to Lily and Lizard Lakes on Blanchard Mountain. I was actually quite shocked that so many Trailblazers decided to brave the elements. I guess many of us are just addicted to this activity; I know I am.

It wasn't like we didn't know what we were getting into, as the weather forecast was for rain and wind, much the same situation we faced all week. Many of our rivers are flooding, and the rain deficit we had earlier in the year is a distant memory. But then again, last week we were expecting a very wet hike considering the forecast, and instead we had a wonderful day.

Al and our fairly nice trail behind him

 We started out well, with just a teeny bit of rain at the beginning. Not enough for a raincoat, and we didn't have the seriously muddy trail I was expecting, either. We headed off to Lily Lake. My pictures today are rather abysmal, since it was so dark for most of the day that I couldn't find much to take pictures of.

Map of today's hike

If all else fails when you don't have pictures, there's always a map. We started on the road from that lower "P" on the right-hand side of the map. We ambled over to Lily Lake, and although the wind was fierce, it came and went. Same with the rain. We knew we were pushing our luck as we made our way to Lizard Lake. It wasn't exactly warm, but it wasn't terribly cold either. Just not all that comfy for a long lunch.

Lizard Lake, looking the other direction from our lunch spot

It was actually raining a little while we had our lunch, but we were mostly protected by the trees, and we gathered up our belongings and had a little conference.

Al showing Sue and Linda our return options

We all decided that, instead of returning the way we had come, we'd take a shortcut and then go back down the Incline Trail. This would mean a mile or so walking on the road rather than hiking trails, but it would shorten the hike significantly. As the weather was blustery and threatening, we took the shorter way in hopes that we would make it back to the cars before we got totally drenched.

And that's just what we did, while the worst of the rain waited for us. Although it was a very dark forest, with little light making it through the forest canopy, we managed to stay relatively dry and mostly protected from the wind. We covered around seven miles anyway, and once I got home and pulled into the driveway, I had to wait for the rain to let up a little before I made a run for the door. I was just so glad we were able to have a relatively nice day in the wilderness. You just never know what awaits you unless you give it a try.
:-)

Getting ready for Christmas

Remembering when

When I was a kid, I loved Christmas and all the presents (receiving them mostly), the tree and decorating it, all of that. But today I only remember a few of the presents I received. Although I don't remember them, I sure do remember the anticipation and all the fun of wondering just what was in that package with my name on it.  Every family has its own way of celebrating the season.

One of my favorite Christmas pastimes was to push the presents out of the way and lie down under the tree, looking up at the lights and smelling that delicious Christmas tree smell. Back then we also used tinsel, which reflected the lights in the most delightful way. I would scrunch my eyes up until everything blurred a little, and I can still see that image today. It looked a lot like this, but with more color:

Shamelessly snagged from the Internet

I've learned in my photography attempts that those lights in the background are called bokeh, out of focus and even possible to create with my iPhone if I really wanted to mess around with it. I was creating bokeh with my eyes, making a nice pattern of beautiful lights. And it's an image that has stayed with me to this day.

Well, I no longer have a tree to stick my head under, and there is no one to wrap and place mysterious presents underneath it, either. No matter; these days I get a great deal of pleasure by thinking of little gifts that would make my friends happy, and I'm getting in the mood. It makes me smile to think how much somebody might appreciate a set of hand warmers, only good for one use but sure nice to have for a chilly hike. Or a batik handkerchief, or a favorite Christmas cookie.

Yes, I'm definitely getting in the Christmas spirit! Hope you're having a good time getting ready for the holiday, too.
:-)

December market

Raven Bread at Farmers' Market

I am smitten with this bread maker, and I also love her Adventure Toast. I recently learned that Sophie, the baker, carts all her stuff back and forth to the market on her bike. She has a bike trailer she uses to haul this entire display to the market every Saturday, rain or shine. Here's her website; she's simply amazing, and her bread is incredible. She only uses local ingredients. This morning I resisted buying one of her chocolate cookies because they are simply too good to have just one. I know from experience.

Unique one-of-a-kind ornaments

Looking closely at these hand-blown ornaments, I noticed that several of them have a feather inside. Each one is different, and I meant to have a chat with the artist but got sidetracked and didn't have a chance to find the significance of the feathers. I'm sure there's a story.

Paperwhite narcissus plants

I thought these were interesting and would make a lovely gift: paperwhite flowers planted in various containers and at various stages of growth. I learned from that link that paperwhites are quick to flower and will bloom around three weeks after planting. The vendor told me that the largest ones will probably bloom within another week or two. I just might have to come back next week and pick up a planter; fresh fragrant flowers in the home at this time of year are a real treat.

Margot

And of course my favorite batik artist is at the market, too. She's got a new design, which I love. You can see it in the window on the right, a horse galloping across a tablecloth. She also has it on other fabrics. I bought one in purple, which should surprise nobody.

Weasel Glass

I've seen this vendor at the market every year. They are two sisters, Lynn and Judy, who have created Weasel Glass. The freshwater pearls are new this season, and I thought they are something I would like (me who doesn't wear any jewelry other than earrings, what am I thinking?). Anyway, they reminded me of the freshwater pearls I bought as gifts when I visited China.

Lots of different kinds of squash

And of course there are still all kinds of root vegetables and squash to buy. These will be there right up until the last day the market is open. It will close up for the winter on the last Saturday before Christmas, which I was reminded is only three weeks from today. Two more possibilities to visit the market, and then the vendors get a much-needed break from showing up every Saturday.

Christmas carolers

I was delighted to hear these young people singing many well-known Christmas songs as people shopped. Although the wind blew and the rain fell, the people around me were all in a festive holiday mood. I bought a few gifts and some produce and went home to my warm and cozy home.
:-)

We expected frightful weather

All ready for the rain

When I got up to head out for today's hike, I fretted about what to wear in order to be comfortable and safe on a day predicted to be wet, warm and windy. When I am exposed to the rain with the wind blowing, I tend to get cold, even if the temperature is in the 50s (13 C), as it was today. Twelve of us showed up anyway. You can see Rich here has got his rain cover on his backpack and a plastic cover on his hat as well. We drove in three cars to the trailhead on Whidbey Island, to walk up to Goose Rock, one of our usual winter destinations in Deception Pass State Park. We last visited it in February, when it was REALLY wet. I labeled that one "A soggy Goose Rock hike." We expected the same today, given the forecast.

Looking out at Rosario Strait

Nope. I took the picture above to show that little patch of blue sky as we looked out across the Rosario Strait. Last February (in the link above), I decided to include a map of the area, so anybody familiar with Whidbey Island would know just where we were. We started at West Beach and went under the Deception Pass Bridge on our way to Goose Rock.

Map of Deception Pass State Park with Goose Rock circled in red

We could also have parked at the bridge and gone directly to Goose Rock, but we are accustomed to a longer hike, so we usually start a little ways away. Al has managed to finesse this hike over the years to one that ends up somewhere around seven miles, with around 1,500 feet of elevation gain and loss. We can always make it shorter or longer, depending on conditions.

Al heading up the trail, ocean below on the left

The area is well used, especially in the summer months, so you can see how well maintained much of the trail is in the picture above. There are many side trails, and without someone with a GPS, it would be easy to get lost, but Al kept us on track. As we continued our hike, the weather only got better and better.

Peggy and Rich in front as we made our way up to Goose Rock

Although Rich is still in his rain skirt, he never needed it. This picture was taken just before we made our final push to the top of Goose Rock to settle in and have lunch. We did have some wind, but at this point, after traveling uphill, it felt good and helped to cool us off some.

A lovely madrona tree

We traveled through a grove of madrona trees, which has red bark that peels away to expose smooth green bark underneath. You can read all about them here. They are native to the Pacific Northwest and very beautiful. I've taken pictures of them every time we come here, and I did not doctor the color at all. They are truly that red.

The beach below

After lunch, we headed back to the cars, and this picture shows the beach we sometimes walk along when we return. Today we had high tide and the beach was inaccessible along much of it, so we stayed on the trail and listened to the waves crashing below us. I love that sound; it makes me so relaxed. And still, no rain. Until we were almost within sight of the cars, I didn't want to jinx it by mentioning our good fortune.

As we drove away, the sun came out in full force, causing us all to marvel at the unexpected weather. What a beautiful, perfect day! And now as I sit here writing my post, the wind is howling outside, and I think the rain will be starting any minute. But that's okay, now, since I'm safe and warm inside after a fantastic day at Deception Pass with some great people.
:-)

In my Prime again

Birthday cupcake and candle at Avellino's

I woke this morning to "Happy Birthday" wafting out from under the covers next to me. Yes, it's that day again, another journey around the sun. And for me it's another Prime Number, 73. Celebrating the twin prime birthdays of 71 and 73 make the weight of all those years seem not quite as heavy.

I dressed and headed out the door to the bus and made my way to the coffee shop for a quick cup of coffee and mentioned that I'd take my birthday coffee (always free) when I got back after my workout. And indeed I did, and while I was sitting there reading the wonderful comments on Facebook from friends and family, the staff behind the counter came out singing "Happy Birthday" to me, carrying a fabulous carrot cupcake adorned with a huge lighted candle! I was so touched and realized how much it matters to have people recognize your special day.

I mean, everybody has a birthday, so I was thinking that it's just not that big a deal. But you know what? On Facebook I see birthday wishes from every part of my life: skydiving friends, people I worked with before retirement, Bellingham friends, blogging friends, and my family, with all of them scattered across the world. I'm having trouble letting it all in.

And it's just noon on my special day. I get to spend the rest of it with my guy, doing whatever makes me happy. Looking ahead at the next twin prime numbers, 101 and 103, I've got to keep myself in shape if I'm going to be celebrating them! Until then, I will continue to enjoy every day as it comes, and will remember how very blessed I am.
:-)