Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 26

I went for a walk in the woods this morning. The sun was bright. The air was crisp.I wore my layers of hiking clothes - flannel, wool and nylon.

As I approached Lake Sawyer, I noticed a rock that had been written on. It said, "Sex Rock". It brought a smile to my face. I imagine there is a good story behind that one!

There must be a good story here

Soon, I wandered the trails following Ravensdale Creek and I began to think about how blessed I am. My hike on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) really gives me a new perspective.

I am thankful for healing. After finishing the hike in late August, I found that my feet ached all the time. It took three months for the pain to subside. At night, I would have to take pain killers to be able to fall asleep, only to wake up in the middle of the night with painful throbbing feet. That is gone now. My toenails are still healing. The nails on my big toes will probably take another two months to fully recover. But they are healing.

I am so thankful for clean and abundant water. On the PCT, water was often a major concern. Where was the next reliable source of water? Sometimes, the reliable source of water would be gone. And, if there WAS water, would it be clean enough to drink? Now, I am so thankful for clean and abundant water. I have a new perspective.

I am thankful for an abundance of food. On the PCT, I often thought about food. I dreamed about going to my favorite pizza restaurant and eating a slice of pizza and downing a cool mug of beer. When I got home, I went back to that restaurant and ordered pizza and beer. Tears flowed down my face as I ate that food, remembering how often I had dreamed about it while on the trail. The taste was amazing!

Tonight, I think my family will be thankful that my hiker hunger is gone. Otherwise, there might not have been enough to go around! But seriously, we are so lucky to be able to obtain and consume delicious food. It is everywhere. I now have a new perspective.

Finally, I am thankful for family and friends. Alone and without phone service on the trail, I walked for days in the middle of the wilderness. And yet, to my delight, when I finally got phone service again, I found messages left for me on my phone! I especially enjoyed the messages left by my "hiking buddies" back home. They left me funny stories that made me laugh, and let me know that they cared. In addition, I got wonderful comments on my blog posts. I often go back and re-read them. I will treasure them forever.

As I headed home on my walk this morning, I saw a beautiful "frost flower".

Frost Flower

Although I have heard that it is rare to see one, I have seen many of them recently. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful place to walk and enjoy the world.

As I neared my home, I walked with a lighter step and a smile on my face. I have so much to be thankful for. And I have a new perspective on life.

Of Fear and Failure

Total training miles today: 15.6

When planning to walk the Pacific Crest Trail, many decisions need to be made.
What do I need? What do I want? What can I do without?

Many of the choices made are the result of my fears.

Am I afraid of losing the trail? Yes I am.
So I bring maps, I download apps for my phone which work with GPS to locate me on the trail.
I read detailed handbooks describing the twists and turns of the path. I take a compass to tell me which direction I am headed, and hopefully can orient my map to understand my location. I use Google Earth to look a the landscape from above. I try to memorize the lay of the land. These things help me meet my fears head on. But it is still there, lurking in my mind, whispering in my dreams.

Am I afraid of being alone in the wilderness at night? Yes I am.
So I read about others who have made this journey. The fear is only because of the unknown. I will come to realize that those "demons in the dark" are just the deer seeking food or salt; that the bear in the wild is just as frightened of me, and I can keep my food away by following a few simple rules; that the cougar is a solitary creature that has much easier prey to consider. The spiders and snakes and bugs are kept away at night by the screen of my tent. I bring along a tent with good netting. And, as I become accustomed to the sounds of the night, perhaps I will camp without it.

Am I afraid of the elements, of wind, rain, snow, and desert sun? Yes I am.
I understand the power of storms. I understand that I am accustomed to regulated temperatures and dry quarters. One of the challenges of living outdoors is to experience living in the wild and successfully becoming a part of it. There will be days of extreme heat. So I plan to bring an umbrella, carry more water, pay attention to my body and stop when it's too hot to continue. Perhaps I will hike at night, using a headlamp to find my way, or maybe find the light of the moon will reveal the path. I have practiced carrying large quantities of water. It is heavy. Did I say HEAVY? Yes, but I know I can do it. Rain and snow also make the trek difficult. So I bring effective rain gear to keep me warm & dray;  I use my umbrella and have a tent that is made from lightweight Cuban fiber.

Most of all, I am afraid of failure. Failure to achieve my goals and my dreams; failure to meet the challenge of the journey. So many things can go wrong, and, according to others, they WILL go wrong. But, others also give me hope. They say the trail provides. That often, in the seemingly most dire circumstances, answers come, help arrives, and the trail community provides.

I have to trust in this.
It is all that I can do.


Today, Patti and I walked a new trail. Not new in the sense that we had never walked it, but new in the sense that we had not gone that way for a long time. And Patti seemed to be very quiet today. At least that is what I perceived to be true. Or, maybe, as Patti said, "Gee, you are sure walking fast today!" Maybe it was me. I have a lot to consider. Next week Patti will not be walking. I trust that Debbie will join me, but it might be her weekend to work. The "unknown" starts whispering to my thoughts.

We crossed a small pool and the dogs enjoyed a drink. I'm not sure what was in the water, but Bridget lost her cookies and we both said, "eeeeewwww!" as she gobbled up something from the mess.

Bud and Bridget in the pool of water.

We hit the main trail and then headed to the ladder bridge over Ravensdale creek.
Bud lagged behind (or I walked too fast), and Patti kept pace with him.

Patti and Bud as we head towards the ladder bridge.

 Patti tossed a stick for Bridget as Bud swam across and drank his fill.

The ladder bridge crossing Ravensdale creek.

As we walked back, Patti commented that we might not be walking together as much this month. Often, Debbie goes camping on weekends. And Patti has company coming one weekend this month, and also won't be walking next weekend. I can only trust everything will work out.

Hurt Feelings

Total Training Miles Today (Sunday 5/25): 15.6 miles

I'm posting this blog a day late. I needed time to think about friends and hurt feelings. 

Often, we take our friends for granted. We sometimes forget that they cannot read our minds, or know our intentions. Sometimes an innocent comment or decision results in hurt feelings.

From the time I decided to try to train enough to be able to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, the hiking buddies (Patti, Debbie and I) have been so excited. We've been gathering gear. We've talked about food and practiced using our stoves. We've been wearing our packs and pushing our bodies in order to be able to go on longer hikes, including overnight hikes.

We all talked earlier in the year about where we should go on an overnight training hike. Patti suggested that we hike somewhere near Lake Chelan, and suggested that her brother (who lives there) could help plan a hike. Unfortunately, he was unable to help plan it and so we put the idea on the back burner. 

Since no one else brought forth any ideas, I suggested that we ought to meet at our cabin and hike from there up Deep Creek and camp at the lakes near Noble Knob. The hike would have to take place late enough so that the snow would be melted. I picked the second weekend in July and we all agreed that we would set aside that weekend for our camp out. 

As it turns out, Patti mentioned several weeks ago that she is planning on taking vacation the first week in July. She asked if anyone would want to plan something during that time. Well, that struck a chord for me, because that is the week that I typically take vacation too. So, last week, I got the idea that we should go to Lake Chelan and hike there. The weather usually is much better and I have always wanted to hike some of the trials there. The plan developed and my wife, Valorie, even became a part of the plan. She wants to take the boat to Stehekin and stay for a couple of days there while we hike the Lake Shore trail.

What I didn't realize was that this overnight hike would take place several weeks before our "hiking buddy" camp out near Noble Knob. And to make things worse, Debbie could not get time off to join us. 

I feel like such a bozo because I didn't realize this when we made our plans for Lake Chelan. And now, Debbie has hurt feelings. I understand that, and it was my mistake. I know we all wanted to camp out together to use our gear for the first time. And now that isn't likely to happen. 

I have thought and thought about how to fix this, but with Debbie going car camping next weekend, and with Father's Day weekend after that, we really don't have much of an opportunity to all do something together. I am so sorry.

I am hoping is that our friendship is strong enough to overcome my insensitivity. My dad always said, "there is always a little good in everything." Perhaps I need to look harder and longer to see it in this instance.

Here are a few pictures from our walk today, before Debbie expressed how hurt she was.

Patti and Debbie

Crossing the Ladder Bridge

Bob and Debbie

Practice Makes Perfect

Total Training Miles Today (Sunday 5/18): 15.5 miles

If you do something over and over, you'll get better at it - practice makes perfect.

Patti surprised us this morning with the announcement that she had brought along some treats, and that we would be stopping along the way to have a warm beverage. The plan was for each of us to get out our stoves and boil a cup of water. She brought along hot chocolate and tea for our water. How fun!

In retrospect, today had to have been one of the funnest days of walking in a long time. The weather was just right. A few clouds, but breaks in the clouds with a bit of blue sky peeking out here and there. The temperature was just right too; not too cold so as to need a coat, but not so warm that it was uncomfortable while hiking. Birds were singing. Yes, lots of birds. I even commented at one point that the birds were really loud, if that is even possible!

Patti and Debbie both looked great. Patti sported a new hat, and Debbie looked great having just been to the hair stylist. Here they are, just before we set out on our walk.

Patti and Debbie

 We walked a few different trails at the start, but crossed Ravensdale Creek on the ladder bridge. The dogs always like this spot since they get to swim across. Bridget made a diving splash as she dove in to fetch a stick.

At the ladder bridge. Bud is in the water. He gets a drink by biting at the water!

Bridget hits the water chasing after a stick.

We followed Ravensdale Creek towards Lake Sawyer. Bud was moving more slowly today; I don't think he is feeling very well. However, Patti urged him on and he managed to stay with the pack.

Bud on the trail near Ravensdale Creek.

At Lake Sawyer, we all stopped to boil some water. I pulled out my Caldera Cone and pop-can stove and set my one cup of water on the stove to boil. Patti gave me a package of hot chocolate mix, and after a few minutes the water was ready. It was really good as I sat on a rock by the lake. Thank you, Patti!

This was the first time for Patti and Debbie to try out their new JetBoil stoves.

Unfortunately, Debbie remembered that she had NOT bought a gas canister, because when she bought the stove at REI, her husband said that she should get the gas canister cheaper at Walmart. Well, that would have been a good plan had they stopped and bought one there.

Patti had never assembled her stove. But, with a little help, she got everything put together, and the stove roared to life. It quickly boiled two cups of water, to which she added a package of hot chocolate. Yes, one package of hot chocolate to two cups of water. It made for very weak hot chocolate.

Patti using her camping stove for the very first time.

Debbie sorted through her pack and found a perfect cup for her hot chocolate. Bridget wasn't sure what we were doing, and took the opportunity to sniff about hoping for a dogie treat.

Debbie with her pack, searching for a cup.
Bridget in her "begging" pose, hoping we were fixing something for her.

After enjoying, or in their case, NOT enjoying their beverage, we packed everything back up. On the way back, we heard these "clinking" and "clanking" noises. It was coming from Patti's pack, probably the result of packing the stove loosely allowing the components to jangle as she walked along.

Today was a great learning experience. And, it was FUN!

We learn by doing. 

Practice will make it perfect. 

I need a Crystal Ball

Total Walking Miles this past week (Monday 5/12 - Friday 5/16):  90.7 miles
Total Training Miles Today (Saturday 5/17): 15.7 miles

We changed our walking start time to 6, since it is getting light now by 5:30. Patti arrived shortly after I did, and her first words were, "What did you tell Brody about our hiking?" Brody is her boss, who works at Edward Jones Investments. I had been in the office earlier in the week reviewing my investments, and I had mentioned my desire of walking the Pacific Crest Trail. Of course, Patti has always talked about wanting to walk the trail. And, at that, Brody said, "Well, why don't you take a 5 month leave of absence?"

I wish I had a crystal ball and could see the future. I would be SO fun to hike he length of the trail with one or both of my hiking buddies. But, realistically, I know how difficult that would be. And scary. There are so many unknowns. Everyone thinks we are too old; that it's too late for us to do something that hard. On the other had, I read the stories of those walking the trail (even as I write this), and they are struggling, sure, but they are doing it. They are finding a way. And they are making memories of a lifetime!

We had a good walk today. We saw the herd of elk again... It's always fun to watch them. In addition, we saw a deer in the field. We call her "Our Deer Friend".

Our deer friend in the field beside the road.

We decided to walk the trail around Frog Lake, since we were fairly sure that the water level was low enough to walk on a mostly dry path. The forest was SO green as we headed to the lake. Bud was lagging a bit today, but managed to keep with us most of the time.

Trail to Frog Lake. Bud was lagging a bit, but managed to keep up.

 At Frog Lake, there are a pair of geese that must have a nest somewhere close by, because they kept making "honking" noises and refused to fly off as we walked along the lake.

Geese must have a nest somewhere close by.

I just love this spot on the trail. It looks out over Frog Lake. Just before I got here, a large bull frog jumped into the water, making a loud splash.

Yellow flag flowers growing around Frog Lake.

When we arrived at Lake Sawyer, we saw a mother duck and her little tiny ducklings. They were roaming in search of bugs.

Mother duck and her ducklings at Lake Sawyer. I noticed there is a beer bottle floating here as well.
Who would toss something like that into the lake?

 We talked a lot this morning about our hiking gear. On our way to the ladder bridge, we were attacked by very hungry and persistent mosquitoes. Debbie stopped to put on bug spray; Patti put on her coat and put up her hood. She kind of looks like "Little Red Riding Hood", don't you think?

Debbie, Bob and Patti at the ladder bridge.

We made our way back to the car, having spent almost exactly two hours on the trail. I announced to everyone that I plan to retire effective January 1, 2015. Of course, that led to wondering if I should try to walk the PCT next year. It gives me a lot to think about. How ready is ready? Is there a reason to rush into the BIG ONE? 

Oh, where is that crystal ball when it need it?

Magical Mother's Day

Total Training Miles Today (Sunday 5/11): 17.9 miles

This kind of morning puts a smile on your face. Clear blue skies with a few puffy clouds here and there. Mount Rainier shining with the first rays of sunrise. Birds are singing. The flowers are blooming. And everything is SO green! I love it.

Playing with shadows in the beautiful morning sunlight.

Patti had a lot to do this morning, so she walked for just over an hour before heading back. We decided to head down the road past the gravel operation. The equipment looks like some huge octopus.

Palmer Coking Coal gravel processing equipment

As we passed some large puddles, they acted like mirrors in the morning light.

Bridget wanders into the reflecting puddle to get a drink.

Our next stop was Oak Lake. We wanted to see if we could walk around the lake. The answer was not only no, but HELL NO! The water was even higher than the last time we visited. It must be ten feet higher than "normal", whatever that is, since this lake all but disappears in the dry summer months. 

Bud tests the water at Oak Lake. It is about ten feet higher than normal.

 We headed back up the trail and walked towards Lake Sawyer.

Deb and Patti on our way to Lake Sawyer.

 After walking by the lake, we headed back to the forest road. Patti took the dogs and headed back to the car. Debbie and I headed out on the forest perimeter trail. We always stop and add a rock to the little rock-pile monument.

Debbie adds a rock to the rock monument.

 I had Debbie pause to show off her new pack. She went to REI yesterday and complained about her old pack. It was hurting her hips, and they determined that it was too big for her. She spent two hours with them and finally got this one. She still needs to adjust the hip belt and shoulder straps. However, it looks really good. She also got her sleeping bag, which is bundled in a very cute carrying bag.

Deb with her new pack.

 On the main trail, the scotch broom were so heavy they pushed out into the trail.

Scotch broom along the main trail that follows the old train line.

We took a few different trails and got back to the car in two hours and twenty minutes.

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.

Into the Black Hole

Total Training Miles Today (Sunday 5/4): 15.5 miles

Patti left a message that she was sick, so Debbie and I hit the trail at 6:15 along with Bridget.

It had been raining all night, and this morning there was a slight sprinkle, but it was warm. I didn't want to wear my coat. But, I didn't want to get soaked either. So, I rigged my umbrella under my chest strap, which allowed me to carry my camera and use my trekking pole! Fortunately, or unfortunately, the rain stopped about 20 minutes into the hike, so I had Debbie slip the umbrella under my stretch cords for quick access if I needed it.

We headed towards Oak lake, but decided not to try to walk around it due to high water. On the way we saw a couple of elk near the gravel pit.

Elk near the gravel pit

We cut through the woods and walked on the road between Lake Sawyer and Frog Lake. 

Frog Lake

Debbie wondered how high the water was in Frog Lake, so we went out the trail and found that the water was low enough to use the path around the lake.

A pair of geese eye us from the middle of Frog Lake

From Frog Lake we headed up to the forest road and then took a path that followed the ridge above Ravensdale Creek. At one spot the trail heads into the very dark woods. It always looks like we are heading into a "black hole".

Debbie heads into the Black Hole

We wound around the trails and stopped a couple of times to re-stack the rock monuments along the way.

Debbie re-stacks the rocks

We cut back through the woods and headed back to the car after a bit over two hours of walking.

Debbie walks the grassy trail

Debbie was not carrying her pack today because she has a sore back. She said, "Someone hugged me too hard yesterday." That must have been quite a hug!

Forest Green

Total Walking Miles this past week (Monday 4/28 - Friday 5/2): 80.7 miles
Total Training Miles Today (Saturday 5/3): 16.5 miles

Debbie had to work today, so it was just Patti and I on our walk. This is Patti's first walk in over a week, as she was visiting her brother last weekend. However, she did visit the REI store there, and bought a "Jet Boil" stove. She had it in her pack today and is carrying a bit over 14 pounds.


Although a storm is coming in, and although it rained off and on last night, it was clear weather for our walk. On the way towards Lake Sawyer, we saw a large elk. Of course, the elk bolted for the forest, but I got a good picture of Bridget as she raced after!

Bridget in hot pursuit of the elk as it runs for the woods. 

The lake was really calm and I got Patti to show us what her pack looks like. She had a pack cover on since we expected rain.

Patti and Bridget. 

On our way up from the lake, we both noticed that Bud was not moving very fast. Patti mentioned a while back that she knew that Bud has a heart condition. During the rest of the walk, we had to encourage him to keep going as he would tend to lag way behind. Poor guy!

Patti follows Bud up the road. 

We took the trail that follows Ravensdale Creek. This is one of my favorite spots on the trail. Everything was SO green. I love it this time of year.

Bob admiring the forest greenery. 

When we got to the main trail (where the train tracks used to run), Patti loved that the path was lined in yellow. The scotch broom bushes are in full bloom now. Besides, it was good to allow Bud to catch his breath.

Scotch broom are in bloom. 

From this point on, Bud was really moving slowly, so I suggested to Patti that she walk on ahead, get to her car, and meet us on the road. This would have been a really good idea, except for the fact that as she got further away, Bud would pull everything together and move faster. By the time we got near the road, Bud was almost caught up to Patti. Once we got to the road where the dump trucks were busy hauling gravel, Patti went on ahead and returned with her car. Bud gave a noticeable whine of joy as he got into the car for his ride home.