Willow and I got away for a few days to the mountains of northwest Washington to escape the never-ending days filled with choking wildfire smoke in our little valley. It was a little smoky over there but nothing like here. We were overjoyed to hike in the mountains again and Willow spent lots of time in clear cool water. It was past the peak of wildflower season but still some of the fireweed, asters and monkeyflowers were putting on a good show. Sometimes a person needs a change of scenery.
Willow and I did a volunteer stint in the mountains last week. Our time there was cut short by evacuation orders concerning a fire in the wilderness to the north of there. The fire people are concerned that it will expand to the south and west, endangering hikers and others. It was hard to leave under those circumstances.
We did enjoy good weather, blue, smoke-free skies and wildflowers. We did not enjoy the flies and mosquitoes! Lots of interesting hikers came through and a French man doing the Fastest Known Time on the Pacific Crest Trail. It is over 2600 miles and he did it in 45 days! That’s 60 miles per day, on average, for 45 days. Can you even imagine? Search on FKT, Fastest Known Time, for more information. He had quite a support crew including a content creator and a French journalist.
But mostly it was quiet and beautiful. We did go up to Slate Peak to see the collapsed lookout. It was very sad. I found a Dark-eyed Junco nest within two inches of one of the trails.
I had to cancel a camping trip because I was somewhat under the weather and needed to schedule a Dr appointment. Feeling disappointed about the camping trip, I took myself and Willow for a hike. It was a mistake for my health but uplifting for my spirit. Now, I am on antibiotics and laying low for a while. That’s hard. And even harder on Willow.
There was a fair amount of wildflowers. It’s very dry already so this may be the peak for them. I wish I could get out and see more. The trees were looking healthy with their fresh green growth. Butterflies were busy trying to find mates and get on with their short lives. Willow loved it all but wished for a lake or a stream so we stopped at a creek on the way home.
The girls and I spent another week in the mountains and most of our walks were in the meadows. Other trails are exposed and too hot for Sky and there is no water. But the meadows are lush, green, damp and there are some ponds and a stream for them to cool their feet. Lots of trails through the meadows too. They didn’t mind my slow movements as I photographed the flowers. Sky picked and ate huckleberries while Willow found sticks and tossed them in the water.
Willow and her friend, Gretta, and their Good Girl drivers got out for a very nice hike early this week. They started early and did not encounter too many people on the trails – a few through hikers and some day hikers along with a few dogs. Everyone was quite pleasant. The weather was mostly overcast for the first half of the hike which was a relief since it was all uphill. At the top, there was a breeze to keep the bugs away. The downhill part, with its relentless switchbacks, was dusty and dry. Willow and Gretta needed extra water. Fortunately Gretta’s drive brought two extra liters. Willow’s driver will know to bring more next time. Everyone was tickled when we finally reached the creeks near the lake and managed to cool off for the last two miles back to a car.
My Everyday Photos 