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Unfortunately work has invaded into real life quite a bit lately and that has resulted in no new posts recently.  I’m not sure anyone is too overly broken up about that, but just in case I’ve finely carved out some time.

I watched some of John McCain’s services over the past few days.  Barack Obama’s speech was of course one of the highlights in my humble opinion.  He mentioned a quote from Ernest Hemingway:

“Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be. But what will happen in all the other days that ever come can depend on what you do today”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work is an important aspect in everyone’s life. It can be incredibly fulfilling or incredibly frustrating.  There are those whose work defines who they are and those who choose to be defined by their lives outside of work.  Neither is right or wrong as long as whichever category you fall into makes you happy.  As long as whatever you do each day is how you want all the other days to be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I realized after hearing this quote that I’d been struggling to find the balance between work and life that would allow me to live by this creed.  In order to achieve harmony in my life I needed to get back to nature.  To the trails, the sun, the wind, the smells.  Nothing puts things into perspective quite like the beautiful devastation and rebirth of a volcano, the majesty of a waterfall and the quiet perfection of a still pond.

While it is unfortunately not feasible to live each day on the trail I am determined to continue with what soothes my soul to allow me to live the other days.  Hopefully this post and these pictures will help you live the best day you can.  Life will or will not be what you make it.  Make it the best.

 

*Remember to check out more new photos in the gallery

TAKE 3

I’ve been a bit out of touch recently due to an increased work schedule, but I try not to let that interrupt the outdoor time.  With that increased schedule comes an increase in stress and that makes it all the more important to take the time to do the things that soothe your soul.  So here I am to catch you up on the adventures that have happened in the time in between.

Going back to my last “adventure blog” post after the failed hiking attempts brings us to Take 3.  This finds us at Sunrise on Mt. Rainier at 6:30 in the evening.  (Incidentally, this is the first hike with the brand new Osprey pack).  This start is much more pleasant than the last time.  No bugs, the evening air is pleasantly cool, and the people are greatly thinned out.  This is my first foray into the world of the night hike.  I think I may be hooked.

 

We made it to the Fremont Lookout about 8:15pm.  It’s next to impossible to describe the sight that befell us as we crossed the ridge.  The sky opens, and Mt. Rainier stands in beauty bathed in golden light as is befitting its majesty.  To say it took my breath away is an understatement.  I think I’ll leave it to the iconic John Muir to describe:

“Oh, these vast, calm, measureless mountain days, days in whose light everything seems equally divine, opening a thousand windows to show us God”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wanted to spend the rest of my days right in that very spot.  But alas the cold and exhaustion of being up since 5:30am got the better of us and it was time to depart.  With one last longing glance and one last deep breath to sustain our peace until we could visit again we start the dark trek down the mountain.

Hiking in the dark with the utter lightlessness and stillness provides a soothing backdrop to the somewhat nerve wracking experience.  With occasional glances at the mountain to follow the progress of the intrepid climbers vying for the summit we allow the moon to guide our way (with a little helping from our headlamps – one of which was slowly failing.  Note to self: make sure you know the ins and outs of your new headlamp before heading off into the dark).

The goal to sleep in the Xterra and stay until sunrise was scrapped in favor of a comfortable bed to rest the weary muscles.  At 4:30am Sunday morning I lay my head on my pillow with a big thank you for everything I had experienced that day.  I slept deeply dreaming of mountains, meadows and light dancing together.

 

AND THEN SOME

The next weekend finds us back on the mountain meeting some friends for camping and hiking to celebrate the husbands birthday (I’ll keep which birthday it is under my hat to preserve the happiness of my marriage).  The work schedule again had me worried that I would get out at a decent time, but my co-workers are fabulous and allow me to leave early in the afternoon.  When we arrive at our campsite I’m convinced I’ve chosen the worst site in the entire campground.  There is absolutely no place for a tent.  And we actually took the small backpacking tent this time rather than the luxury large tent.  After leveling a small spot with a dead branch, we get camp set up.  We have the best of friends who provided a steak dinner.  I love me a good Mountain House meal, but I must admit this hit the spot quite a bit better than “Chicken and Rice”.  We enjoyed a bit of conversation around the campfire before heading to bed.  We had a 3:30am wake up time planned to hit Sunrise for sunrise (our companions respectfully declined our invitation to join us).

I settled in on my brand new REI Camp Bed 2.5 (highly recommended) for a good nights sleep in the stillness of the mountain air.  Unfortunately, this was shattered about 11pm by Harry and Donna (names have been changed to avoid me being sued).  They pulled in late with their RV and proceeded to yell directions and criticism to each other while attempting (multiple times) to back in their trailer.  Now mind you, my husband has a CDL and drove 18 wheelers professionally for a few years.  And our friends have a monstrous living quarters horse trailer that SHE mostly drives and can park like a pro.  So, you can imagine their thoughts as Donna yells directions and Harry yells that he doesn’t understand or can’t hear (And seriously Harry, the whole campground could hear Donna so how you couldn’t is beyond all comprehension).  My favorite was “Do what you just did again!!!”  I will say that Harry and Donna provided much comedic fodder for the rest of the weekend.  They were leaving for the Oregon coast (as we learned when Donna yelled this to her kids).  We felt we should probably call to warn someone….

In spite of all those late night shenanigans we managed to peel ourselves out of our tent and commenced with chasing light for the sunrise.  I must admit the light was a bit disappointing, but as I’ve said before a disappointing day on the mountain is still much better than a normal day anywhere else.  I met a great guy named Tom (this is his real name as I don’t believe he would sue me for using him in my musings).  He was traveling here from Denver.  We talked about everyone who bailed as soon as the sunrise ended and missed some still beautiful light on the mountain.  He told me about the fires burning near his home.  I told him not to miss Reflection Lakes and Christine Falls for some beautiful photos.  We commiserated over the amount of people that are always around and wished that everyone could just have a little courtesy for everyone around them.  He gave me his card and told me to email him before we head to his neck of the woods next year.  He’ll tell us all the places no one knows about and never go but that are beyond beautiful.  I like Tom, he’s my kind of people.  And proof that in the teeming mass of humanity that invades our National Parks on a daily basis you can always find someone to share the quiet beauty with.

 

 

 

 

 

The plan for the morning was a through hike on the Sourdough Trail starting at the Sunrise Visitor Center and ending at Sunrise Point.  This is the beauty of having two vehicles (our traveling companions had agreed that 7am was a much more acceptable time to meet in the morning).  It was a great morning to start a hike.  The wildflowers are just starting to poke their heads up and the wildlife was still fairly active at that time of day.  We had the trail mostly to ourselves besides sharing it with a friendly marmot and one startled bear.  We also spotted a momma bear with two cubs in one of the valleys.  I hit 10,000 steps shortly after we finished about 10am, so all in all not a bad morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a well deserved nap (that surprisingly Harry and Donna did not interrupt) it was back to Sunrise for sunset and moonrise.  We managed to see the very beginning of the blood moon rise as well as some climbers on the mountain before exhaustion once again raised its ugly head.  We were sorely tempted to assist my husband in backing in the Xterra (ala Harry and Donna style) once we arrived back at the campsite, but we decided to be adults.

 

 

One more bear sighting running across the road, a delicious burger at the Base Camp Bar and Grill and we’re back home.  Already planning the next outing in a couple of weeks.  So, stay tuned.  Meteors are next….

 

 

Not too long ago I saw a book titled 10% Happier written by Dan Harris.  Well heck, I like Dan Harris on Good Morning America and I want to be 10% happier so why not.  I had decided I needed to reduce my screen time before bed.  So, no more TV, no more Facebook and no more Nook.  I bought an actual paper book (I forgot how much I love the smell of a real book) and this is what I would read before going to sleep.

It’s been quite a long time since I read a non-fiction book, much less a “self-help” book and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.  It turned out to be pretty entertaining with a decent mix of anecdotes about Dan’s life and how and why he started to meditate.  One quote really resonated with me:

“The voice comes braying in as soon as we open our eyes in the morning and then heckles us all day long with an air horn.  It’s a fever swamp of urges, desires, and judgements.  It’s fixated on the past and the future, to the detriment of the here and now.”

Holy crap! That’s me!

I decided to give it a try.  I downloaded a meditation app and I listen to soothing nature sounds while I lie in bed and try to still my mind.  I feel like my mind still races but I like to think it’s at a slightly reduced speed.

I’m far from reaching that place called “enlightenment”, and am I 10% happier?  That’s hard to say.  But I don’t feel any less happy and I guess that’s as good a start as any.

I recently decided to tackle the dubious task of purchasing a new pack.  This is always an endeavor that ends up being as adventurous as the hikes themselves.  Walking into the store my husband declares that we’ll find a salesperson to help me pick out and fit my pack.  He doesn’t need the pressure of that responsibility.

Apparently, I missed the memo that Monday afternoon is go buy a new pack day.  Any other day that area is deserted, and the sales staff is swarming like the mosquitos at Glacier View.  Today we managed to snag a staff member as she raced around a corner.  After a quick quiz (that I’m unsure I passed) to determine what type of pack I was looking for it was decided that a 46 (whatever that means) is what I should have.  So, we motor to the wall where she snags a pack says put this one, cinch up the hip belt (make sure it covers your belly button) and see how it feels.  Well, it feels like a pack hanging off my back.  Now let’s add some weight.  It’s stuffed full of bean sacks and I’m instructed to get a feel for it around the store.  Off I go around the racks and up the stairs.  I like it, let’s get it.  My instructor promptly disappears.

Not so fast my husband says.  Now we need someone to adjust the frame to fit my torso (what?)  Didn’t you do that for me before? Yep, he says, and I learned that lesson, so we’ll find someone here to do it.  Big sigh and I head back to the pack jungle.  After wandering through the tangle awhile I decide to apply the universal lost child instruction – stand in one spot and look forlorn.  This does the trick.  I get my torso fitted complete with the new found knowledge that chest straps are more difficult to adjust for women than men (for obvious reasons).

I’m exhausted, quite a bit poorer but the proud new owner of an Osprey Kyte 46 (I’m pretty sure this means 46 liter so I can now carry 46 liters worth of stuff, but honestly I’m still not sure and I’m more unsure I want to carry that much stuff…)  I’ll be testing it out this weekend, so I’ll let you know how the new pack and my slightly old, slightly out of shape body all fare.

P.S. – Sorry if I tricked anyone into thinking this was going to be a post about a bird…

Thursday afternoon as I was preparing to leave work I happened to be talking to our social worker and mentioned that I was heading out to my happy place.  She looked at me and said, “Are you being sarcastic or is that a real place?”

I’m a first generation native Washingtonian.  My parents moved here from California in the 60’s and my husband moved here in the 90’s when he joined the Army.   I struggle sometimes with the conundrum of introducing people to our little slice of the upper left.  On the one hand the beauty that we see every day deserves to be shared and appreciated by everyone.  On the other hand, it’s difficult enough to find a small bit of solitude without adding more people to the mix.  And there’s always those few people who just can’t seem to treat the land with the respect it deserves.   But in the end, it’s not something you can keep sealed in a box away from prying eyes.  We’ve had out of state family here visiting over the last couple of years and I am convinced they were awed by what they experienced here.  I thoroughly enjoyed sharing the experience with them and I know they left with a greater appreciation of the magnificence of this area  (and most likely a greater understanding of why my husband stayed!).  They are definitely people who appreciate our natural wild places.  It can just be an unfortunate by product of increasing popularity that this is not always true.  I just hope that I get the chance to pass along the beauty that I see along with an appreciation that it is our job to preserve these places.

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We headed out at 4:30 this morning to hike the Glacier View trail.  It’s a bit of a rough road to the trailhead and unfortunately there were some campsites that eloquently demonstrated a distinct lack of respect.  Getting beyond that, the trailhead itself offered a challenge of its own this morning.  As I got out of the car I could hear the distinct sound of insects.  Had to be in the millions.  As I’m contemplating this development a hiker comes off the trail –  mosquito netted and bug sprayed up. He said they made it in about ½ an hour and had to turn back.  I’ve been there, done that, got the girl scout patch.  We beat a hasty retreat back into the car (with a few stowaway mosquitos in attendance) and decide to concede that battle.  Bugs 1 Hikers 0.

In an effort to salvage the day and not just head home to swelter we decided to try for Take 2 – this being the Fremont Lookout trail out of Sunrise.  Surely the elevation gain would be enough to thin out the mosquitos.  So we head off into the park.  About half way through the hubs made the observation that we could be in Pullman by now as we’ve been driving for 5 hours.  But we don’t make it all the way to the other side of the state just to the other side of the mountain.   We lace up the boots, don the packs and hit the trail.  Now, mind you I’m a bit on the out of shape side at the moment so the beginning of this trail along with the elevation made for some pretty good huffing and puffing on my part.  But the real fun started at the top of the first hill when we stopped for a breather and were immediately attacked by, you guessed it, mosquitos.  Granted these weren’t big enough to carry you away like those at Glacier View but they still carried a big bite.  There was no way we were giving up this time without a fight so on goes the DEET and up the next hill we go.  At some point you find that space in your head where nothing can touch you and just hope you can stay there long enough to succeed.  Alas, we fought an epic battle but at Frozen Lake we once again conceded.  We hot foot it back down the trail to the relative safety of the parking lot.  Relative meaning it may be safe from the mosquitos but the teeming masses of humanity are just as sticky.  And this is where we realized we broke our cardinal rule of hiking – never start a hike after 7am.  Bugs 2, General public 1, Hikers 0.

Even with all that I still believe that a miserable day on the trail is always preferable to an ordinary day at home.  We finished the afternoon with a stop at Scale Burgers.  Nothing ends a day in the outdoors like a big ole burger and fries.

We’ve already got a plan for next weekend to beat the bugs and the public and put up a score in the win column for the hikers.  Stay tuned for Take 3…

 

Mt. Rainier from the Fremont Lookout trail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is my first foray into the world of blogging so bear with me as I fumble my way through.  I decided to start this site as a diary of my travels.  Whether those are international, continental or closer to home I thought it would be fun to document my thoughts and experiences.  If you would like to join me I would love to have you along for the ride.