I hiked a great park just across the river in Vancouver (WA). Adjacent to a managed wildlife area. A cool day for sure when heading out. A view from the car while it warmed up: The whole area is nice. I’d biked up here before, but hadn’t been north of the park facilities. It’s a … More Wildlife and commerce
Small towns are a nice break from the city. I like how universal the desire is for coffee shops, cafes and such. It’s like the city minus visible impoverishment and music venues. I met a friend who lives in that area for breakfast. She had to start work afterwards. The drive out: just continue straight … More Small town trailhead
My arm’s been in a sling since mid December for post-op healing. A steep enough switchback, worn hiking treads, muddy conditions. That was the simple recipe. Done at 98.6 degrees for exactly one split second to the undesired tenderness. The silver lining has been the time off work, reading books I’d been meaning to pick … More Winter sling and the relationship between things
The wet season. It’s fire-safe to moto in woods. And safe to hike in nearby woods without encountering crowds. While I love riding routes through woods on gravel, I see myself riding pavement through the winter. But taking woods routes on foot, as I like to hear the rain and wind. I had a brisk, … More Winter Wet Hikes and Rides, and Taxes
Headed out to national forest. It’s curious that a wilderness area so close to a popular spot is always empty. It’s wonderful. I intended to spend two nights in it, but stayed only one because of the forecast and the desire to have another lunch time diner breakfast. I don’t usually have pre-trip excitement while … More Sounds in Woods, Speakers and Audiences
…Drift Creek is where I ended up a couple of weeks ago, after looking at the real-time wildfire map and air quality forecast, and road conditions. Not all that far from the coast. Near the trailhead there was a glimpse of the river meeting the ocean. After gaining that elevation on the drive to the … More In wilderness again…
…by a second force this summer, the smoke. For now I just look at backpack contents until it makes sense to pack again. Early in the summer the pandemic had many trailheads closed. The smoke and fire risk now have a lot of federal lands in my area closed. Some state forest is open though, … More Thwarted from visiting public woods for now…
…for me in national forest. I was near water on some stretches of the trail. It was nice to sleep in the deep woods again. I awoke to temperatures in the high 30s F on this August morning at about 4500 ft., then warmed myself with a hot brew. But the ongoing political unrest. I … More A nice overnight backpack…
Being homebound during the week got me out for the weekend. Yesterday was for a big loop ride. Rode all day, and even stopped for a break for a short hike to catch-up with a friend south of home. But just after Redmond, I had to stop for a shot of these senior members of … More Hikes and Rides
I did get out recently for time among the trees and critters. This time of resurgence of people heading to the accessible and established trails has me finding little used areas near them. Walking in them offers something peaceful contrasting with goings on in the city. My neighborhood is about the same, but downtown isn’t. … More In the greenery
Thoughts on Trails 