More pics available

Diablo Lake pics are up. We had a great time, after a few initial discussions about who wanted to camp when and where and what we wanted to do. The campsite was peaceful and beautiful, we'll go back a bunch of times, I'm wagering.

Everywhere we went, we were traveling alongside folks taking much fuller advantage of the beauty of the North Cascades, lots of fishermen, hikers, folks with canoes, etc. Our car looked way less utilitarian compared to others loaded down with all manner of mountain appropriate equipment.

Even without crampons or a tent that could hang on a cliffside, we were able to enjoy the mountain range, the clean air and critters. We were beset, of course, by stellar jays and douglas squirrels, the latter chiding us as they do when we were eating (not sharing) and when we were putting food away.

It rained almost the entire time, which really put me off, but once the tent was up and we were in it, it was obvious that the rain was falling on the trees mainly and hardly at all on us. Our one hike along the river was easy and dry, even though we could hear the rain almost the whole time.

Diablo lake, Ross lake are both strikingly jade/turqouis colored -- due to the rock "flour" found in the water. The sunbreaks were very bright and made it tougher to capture that color, but it was still amazing to shoot.

Flickr, Diablo lake and more...

I've opened a Flickr account - you can see the latest photos from the Woodland Park Zoo, Bumbershoot and various polaroids there. I'll keep doing galleries on this site, but Flickr loads images in their original size, and that's a real benefit for sharing.

We're heading out to Diablo lake tomorrow - after a work picnic for J's crew. The hikes we have been able to research for the area around Diablo all look daunting - which hasn't stopped J before, but he says he'd like to enjoy his time with me there, so I imagine we'll not do the Sourdough hike (5 miles at a 20% grade, for an 11 mile hike) at the very least. Here's an album of folks who did a 10-day hike around nearby Ross Lake that I just got from J. Dig the suspension foot bridge over Devil's Creek.

Surface tension

Latest favorite lyrics - reminds me of the importance of being present...

"i bet you're hoping that your heart will send up the white flag this time --
or some sign that the coast is clear"
Here for now

It's been a very eventful week, we got back earlier tonight from the peninsula perseids trip. I clocked six or so meteors - not bad but nowhere near the folks who were able to get back up at 3am to watch them pour down.

We awoke to llamas, which we were told are very curious, sniffing at John's tent and then ours -- but we zipped our tent up when Ursa, the great pyranees local, came to greet us around 6:30am.



Earlier in the week, John got to sit through band practice - visit potential employers for job shadowing - bake bread - camp with llamas and sample artichokes for the first time. I am baffled as to how all of these events coincided with his trip (apart from the one that was custom designed for him) but whaddya gonna do? He's had great experiences & will go home with plenty to think about. I can only say that I wish I had folks direct me to such things when I was 14.

I, myself, am a bit saturated in the stimulation dept. We've been going at a fair clip on a daily basis. My brain just piles thoughts upon thoughts without processing on those occasions. I've had to take time outs during the day just to keep up with the three inhabitants of our home, not to mention catching up with old friends - painting - thinking about a show with other friends and getting ready for another trip - this one to Ashland for a few days retreat next week. I may act like I'm on retreat starting this week, just to give my brain time to process.

Pics from August are here, I'm off to check in on the guys.

Bits & Pieces

Got back from camping late Sunday - we were at Wish Poosh, I've posted photos here. We had a great time, J hiked up Paddy-Go-Easy with Jory - I've done the hike twice & not been especially good company. So I went with the rest of our crew to to Cooper Lake & did a much shorter hike instead. Click here for some views of the surrounding area, scroll down to see Cooper lake - it's the fifth pic down on the left.



The short hike we did ran us right through a creek, where we met the first of many fly fisher folk. Here's a pic of the trail through the itty-bitty creek:



I'm so glad to be back home & have started to feel more productive. It's touch & go, last week was all about bringing myself to a complete standstill. I forget I need to be still, and I believe it's good for me on occasion, but it's alarming nonetheless.

I'm heading out to a coffee shop, to review my plans for the rest of the week & then get some errands done. We're going up to Vancouver, BC later this week & to the racetrack for a birthday party this weekend, so I can't put off everything thinking there's plenty of time...

Shout out to all our peeps in NC. We miss being with you this summer!! Nothing's better than spending lazy afternoons watching the Tour de France & seeing everyone hanging out at dinner.