Drizzle, Drizzle, Everywhere

Total Walking Miles this past week (Monday 5/5 - Friday 5/9): 60.8 miles
Total Training Miles Today (Saturday 5/10): 16.2 miles

Everyone arrived at 6:15 this morning, put on our packs, and headed out.

The weather was Seattle drizzle. It's that little pesky "not quite rain" that manages to coat everything with enough water to wet our coats and pants.

We saw the elk herd again. At first all we could see were their white butts, but as we got closer every head was turned our way. They headed into the forest as we drew nearer.

The herd of elk at the end of the field.

 Patti brought Bud today. She couldn't stand leaving him home because he is always so excited when it is time to hit the trail. And to give Bud credit, he did GREAT today. Perhaps last week he just wasn't feeling well. We were sure glad he was doing better.

Bud had a smile on his face.

 We walked out to Lake Sawyer and then along Ravensdale Creek to the ladder bridge. Along the way, Bridget had to wait at every stream access point, hoping that someone would throw a stick for her. She is a "nut" when it comes to chasing after a stick in the water.

Bridget waits patiently for someone to throw a stick

 Debbie stopped at the ladder bridge to get a picture of her with her pack and trekking poles. She sent a picture to her son to show him what her outfit looks like. She also sported a fancy new hat today. For this picture, it was being worn in "stealth" mode green.

Debbie with her pack, poles and hiking hat.

 On the path beyond the ladder bridge, we came upon our rock pile. I stacked a few rocks; one had a slug hanging from it. Of course, Debbie had to notice that it looked like a face.

Rock monument with a face - a rather slimy affair.

 Along the trail we came upon a man riding a bike. I heard him in the distance, and mentioned that I thought there was someone coming, but I guess Patti didn't hear me. He came riding up and Patti just about jumped out of her shoes! She said that he sacred the "living daylights" out of her. Of course, I had to wonder if once the living daylights are out, do they ever come back?

We finally got to the trail crossing with the rock mounds, and Patti did her spin around within the rock cairns for good luck. Or, perhaps, just to feel dizzy.

End of the spin within the rock piles

 Just up the trail, we came to the black hole again. Debbie and I walked ahead so we could get a picture of Patti emerging from the blackness.

Patti emerges from the black hole.

It took us just over two hours to finish our hike today. By the end, the drizzle had stopped. Debbie said she might go to REI today to get a stove and sleeping bag. I gave Patti a gear list, so she could see what other items she might need to get to be ready for our overnight hike in July.