Winter Wonderland

Some more snow today. Everything is covered. Still snowing. And snowing... 

Spin Spin Spin!

Ah today was a lot of snow coming down. There were pile-ups everywhere in Seattle with the West Seattle Bridge being notorious for Pile ups.

Anyways, today was the first time I put the chains on my truck. I've always had them, as they are required to carry them up the pass. I've carried them and haven't had to use them, till now.

It worked well after some trial and error. There's just some road slapping noise if you go to fast, which is understandable, so basically with chains I shouldn't go over 25 otherwise it makes a racket on snow-free roads. It already does. It sounds smooth though on lots of snow and ice and you can feel it grip the road, which is wonderful. Also I bought 200 lbs. of sand for the back of the truck prior to the snowfall to improve traction.

Anyways an interesting day to say the least.

Thanksgiving Drive - New York, New York!

Well, Thanksgiving was spent with our good old friends, the Eustaces. It was a great time and brings back memories from a long long ago. I remember having Thanksgiving with them 20 years ago, and some things never change. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots to be thankful for.

Paradise.... Mount Rainier National Park

Went to Paradise and Longmire. There were some snow and got to see some cool sights.

Wallace River

These pictures were taken last Thursday at Wallace Falls State Park, which is by Gold Bar and Sultan in the convergence zone of the Cascades.

The park is awesome, although the trip into the park can be unnerving by passing underneath high voltage lines. It was drizzling (big surprise) at the time, and the sizzle/crackling noise of the power lines just did not sit right with me. I made it across the power lines post haste. Oh, there's a beautiful view of the valley, but the picture is not posted, well because, I did not take it for one. And two, the power lines were in the way.

Anyways, past the power lines you go through a now nicely manicured trail, with excellent switch backs and check steps. Thanks Washington Trails Association (WTA)! I did not go see the rest of the sights, but there are big waterfalls at the end. Ergo, the name, Wallace Falls State Park.

Other than that it was a pleasant walk in the park.

Cold Creek

Today was a cold day at Cold Creek. It was typical Pacific Northwest weather, which meant it was partly rainy with a chance of sun. Regardless, there was a certain tranquil beauty out there...

New York City! The City that Never Sleeps

Start spreading the news, Im leaving today
I want to be a part of it - new york, new york
These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it - new york, new york

Frank Sinatra


-----------------------------

Ah Frank Sinatra aside. It was a great day. Speaking of Frank Sinatra, I can't find my Ole' Blue Eyes Greatest hits CD. Where did it go??

Anyways,

It's been fun and now the pictures.

Glacier Basin

Was at Glacier Basin, Mount Rainier National Park. Hiked up to Mount Fremont, elevation 7,181 feet.

Lincoln City, Oregon

The beach in Lincoln City Oregon was beautiful. It was just a great day out... Amazing.

Dust Devil

Driving I-90 Eastbound from Spokane. Encountered some dust devils on a summery, Sunday in September.

So life goes on...

Wednesday afternoon I came home and the coroner was parked across the street. Apparently my neighbor died of a heart attack probably about a week ago. Some of his friends were concerned, contacted the police and checked it out. He was dead for a week or so.

I saw the body being carted off in a gurney in an unmarked gray van.

Oh well. As someone once said, you'll eventually see an orthopedic doctor or a cardiologist. How you live your life depends on which one you see.

My neighbor was a nice enough guy, but he lived a rather sedentary life. Eventually all that stuff catches up with you. Hope he is in a better place.

And that brings us full circle to: friends. Honestly, I hope my friends do look for me if I disappear for awhile. I don't want to be found accidentally as bones somewhere...

You can't take it all with you, and all you have left is really the memories.

Peace.

Whidbey Island

Views from Whidbey Island home where I spent the weekend.

Whitehorse Mountain

I was in Darrington. I've been trying to capture Whitehorse Mountain and finally it was a nice sunny day that I was able to take a picture of it. And it's not shrouded by haze or clouds. This is one of the mountains that I want to hike someday.

McClellan Butte

Um the trail.
Me. Notice the brand new boots. Set me back quite a bit. Quite comfortable actually, still need to be broken in. Sole still stiff. Some rubbing on my left heel. Otherwise good to go.

Well McClellan Butte hike was good. We started at 5:30PM. Sunset was at 8:27PM, so we (the slower group) hiked up about half way till we got to our turnaround time of 7:00PM. At 7:00PM sharp we went back down, got back to the lot at 8:30, and it quickly became dark soon after.

The other team, went all the way up to the summit, and returned an hour later at the parking lot 9:30PM. The summit is 9.8 Miles from the Trailhead, with about 3'700 - 4'000 feet elevation gain. The pictures they brought back was outstanding, and I'll plan to do McClellan Butte as a day hike and not an evening conditioner. I figure this would be a great day hike. At 1,000 feet/hour, I'd like to go up there and plan 4 hours up and 4 hours down, with an hour lunch at the summit. That will be a lot of fun.

I figured we got up about halfway. 2.5Miles up, and about 2000 feet. So total would be 5.0 Miles, and 2000 feet elevation gain.

Of Mosquitoes and Men

Normally, I would post pictures. However, I didn't have my camera. Went to Soda Peaks this weekend and probably have over 50 bug bites on my body. And 3 in oh so not comfortable places.

I used some high powered Deet, you know the one that melts plastic. However the mosquitoes were undeterred. It actually took 3 applications of Deet to finally have them go away... Somewhat.

My head is covered in bumps. My hands, elbows. My face has a few mosquito bites as well.

And get this. This morning on my way out to answer the call of nature, mosquitoes found their target as I was making a special delivery. "What can brown do for you?" Anyways, that was not fun. I could've seen the most beautiful place on earth, but honestly I don't remember it much because of the mosquitoes. It punches throw clothing, gloves. Nasty little critters. It was enough to go crazy. I had my hoodie over my head looking like Kenny from Southpark but still they managed to find some small spot.

I guess with all the snow melt, they're breeding like crazy. And there's still snow on the ground so more to come. I think I'm going to hold off on camping till it gets much drier. I'm itchy all over. I'm going to take a shower and lather myself up in aloe... Ah... That sounds like relief right there.

Small Si

On the ledge.
A shot through the valley.
Me.
New Balance Shoes Rules! Model 476,477, 478!

Small Si Reference Mark.

Goat Mountain

Sun through the trees.
Trees.
Trees, rapids and mini-waterfall.
Dead Tree.
More dead trees.
Mount Adams visible on the way up to Goat Mountain
Exposed ridgeline off trail 213. The valley is pretty cool.
On top of some rock posing in the valley. Although not visible, lots of elk droppings around. Apparently elk likes this view also.
Another shot, this time during a summer hazy day. (1 day later)

Passing by the edge of the blast zone from Mt. Saint Helens.