Hurricane Ridge 2007

So yesterday, my mom and I did our annual Hurricane Ridge trip. Each year, we take a day and head over to the Peninsula and hang out at the ridge for a picnic and some easy hiking. Ever since we started this annual trip, the weather has always been hot and sunny. This time, it was a bit different.

I tend to like all forms of weather (as long as I’m dressed for it) so having it rainy and cold up there was no problem. We ended up eating in the car and talked the entire time.

As with every year, our conversation covered religion, homosexuality (and its treatment by religion), and politics. Yup, that’s right, all the topics you’re sposta avoid. We tend to have differing approaches to said topics but usually agree to disagree if we come to an impasse. We both had a good time.

Anyway, here are some pictures I took.

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From ferry ride over to the Peninsula.

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At Hurricane Ridge.

Hiking the Mountains

Recently a hiker was lost in the woods up here in Washington State. This hiker figured that if they "stay the course" and continue hiking blindly into the woods, they might find a way out... wrong.

Anyway, today’s Seattle Times paper is full of letters to the editor about the foolishness of the hiker and what she could have/should have done. The following letter stood out from the rest; not because of its admonition of the hiker, but because of its defense of hikers in general. Pay close attention to the last line.

Saving grace
Doug Mercer's cautionary comments in "Dark side of the mountain: a climber's obligation" [guest commentary, Nov. 22] on one's responsibility to not die foolishly in the mountains are well-taken: It's selfish to forget about the ones left behind to do the crying.

Yet he almost makes it sound like we all go to the mountains for the thrill of danger.

That may be part of it, but I think we also go to the mountains for the same reason others go to church.

— John Wolff, Seattle

That last line says it all. “...I think we also go to the mountains for the same reason others go to church.”

How profound. I would have never thought to put it in those exact words, but I think this is as good as any and it allows meaning to be interpreted by the individual.

Snow Lake

Hiked up to Snow Lake with a friend yesterday. Nice sunny warm day for it as well. As usual, brought the old camera along.



While at the lake, we were entertained by the group next to us. One gentleman had it in mind that he wanted to jump in the lake. That, by itself is not too much to think of (other than the fact that it is a snow fed lake and quite cold; but hey, knock yourself out!). However, there was a catch... he stripped to his birthday suit and took the plunge. Unfortunately, it was on the other side of a big rock so there are no pictures to show.

So the guy gets out, climbs down to his friends totally naked (very nice body but still, no pictures) and lays down to sun bathe.

A bit later, a ranger comes by and asks him to put his clothes on because this was not a "clothing optional area." LOL, gotta love America. The human body is something to be morally opposed to but killing is no problem. Instead of getting all upset about "wardrobe malfunctions," we should be geting upset about the "weapon malfunctions."

OK, so his was not a "wardrobe malfunction," but hey, it was not bothering us. Oh well.