On the Road Again

I am taking off work on the 23rd (what would have been my son's 2nd birthday) and on the Friday before that, I'm headed down the Pacific Coast Highway. I have no idea how far I'll get or what I'll do. All I know is that I'm taking my camera and laptop (so I can load pictures and keep everyone updated), a sleeping bag, a cooler of food, and my dog.

It's exciting!!!

I'll let you know how my plan pans out.

28 going on 82

Bonnie and I hit the hills again yesterday morning. This time I left Roxy at home and we trekked with just her two, Cliff and Porter. I tell you what, Bonnie has some serious cardio-pulmonary capacity because she was kicking that mountain's butt, as well as mine. I sounded like I was going to die (and kinda felt that way, too) as I tried to keep up with her on the steep trail.

I thought coming down the other side would be easy, but I just found another way to hurt myself - three times in a row, I turned my ankle on some rocks in the trail. I didn't want to look like a total loser and kept going. When I got home, I realized that by ignoring my ankles I actually made my hip sore because of how I was carrying my weight.

Fear not, my ankles and hips are fine. I just feel about 60 years older than I am, and I know I need to get back into the swing of things if I'm ever going to survive this year's hiking season. I'm hoping to get up to those waterfalls again sometime before the weekend and get those photos I promised.

I suppose going for some hikes this week will probably help since Bonnie and I are planning to go snowshoeing on the Greenwater trail next weekend. I'll be sure to get pictures, especially for those of you who have never experienced Greenwater.

Hidden Waterfalls

I met a new friend on Saturday and we planned a hike in the Issaquah Alps for some time next month.

I also met another new friend on Sunday and we actually hauled our dogs out for a brisk hike up behind the old quarry near the horse trails near Hwy 410. Apparently Weyerhaueser (sp?) used this area to bring investors up to see the beautiful forests that the company was helping to maintain and restore. At first glance, it's not an obviously beautiful hike, until you veer off the main road and crawl over some muddy switchbacks and overgrown underbrush. Almost by surprise, a cascade waterfall peeks out from behind the trees.

Further hiking up to the top of the waterfalls brings you to a large resevoir. We hiked to the northeasat of the pond and came to another main road. Since it was getting darker, we followed the western trail back to our starting point, but there are several trails throughout the area. We only came across one group of trail riders and their dog, but other than that, it was completely empty, meaning a nice peaceful hike where the dogs could all be let off leash for the entirety of the trip.

I unfortunately didn't take my camera, but I have plans to go back with Roxy and I promise to have pictures up soon.

Gearing up

It's by no means getting any warmer outside, but I'm determined to not let that stop me. In my efforts to be safer on my excursions, I issued an all-call to random people on, of all places, craigslist. Well, it was only for women. Not that women can't also be psychotic serial killers, but I think it'd be a lot easier to spot crazy women than crazy men. Maybe.

Anyway, I'm meeting at least one of the people who responded. We're getting together at the Barnes & Noble in Southcenter on Saturday to plan out a hike or two and maybe research some good places for us to learn to snowboard. I'm hoping this will motivate me to get out, even if it is against every instinct I have that says "stay inside and stay warm and dry!"

Ummm...

Obviously I haven't posted anything here since I started the blog. And mostly, that's because, well, I haven't gone anywhere!

Actually I did do an amazing hike back in September up the side of Mt. Rainier until the weather got so bad I retreated to my nice warm cabin on the ranch. But obviously I forgot to tell the story.

I will do better. I promise.