Through Another Tunnel
Back to adventuring! I have been advised that the weather heading further north and east into the mountains of Idaho and Montana is unpredictable and may hinder a lot of what I want to do. So, I am heading back down south to see what else I can see. For that past couple of nights I have been in a quiet little campground on the Washington side of Umatilla lake. There isn’t much to do here but I managed to get out on the bike and find another tunnel. Hitting the road again today and hoping to find some more mountains.
Saddle up your Horses
Wild horses couldn’t keep me away!
What a cool monument! This is just off HWY 90 East between the mountains and Spokane.
More Leavenworth Fun
There has been so much going on the last few weeks that I have not taken time to share some of the beauty and awesomeness of my travels. I have been to the mountains, lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls, more mountains, a dark tunnel, and a few long drives thrown in. I know there are a lot of photos in this batch but I thought I would grab the highlights from some of the more memorable places. The mountains of Washington are awesome. I need to come back when it isn’t rainy season and experience even more!
A Lake in the Mountains
The weather is beginning to change and get a little cooler in the evenings. However, last week there were some days that were bright and sunny requiring some float time on the water. This is Lake Wenatchee just outside Leavenworth, WA. Such a beautiful lake surrounded by gorgeous mountains.
Campground Silliness
Went for a ride on the trails here at the campground and had a great time! Fun hills to race down, fun bridges to ride over, and a fun water pipe to climb on. I have to admit, I thought the drop-off would be a little bit more impressive on the other side of the water drainage ditch / pipe but it just dropped down onto a road. And to end the ride I finally saw some deer.
Scratching the Surface
An 11 mile hike up into the mountains followed by a quiet time of reflection beside this beautiful lake and I’ve only just scratched the surface of all there is to see and do here in Leavenworth, WA
Perched Precariously
Another beautiful ride last night. I started too late in the day to get to the overlook that everybody talks about but even still at every clearing or opening in the trees a view of the mountains peaked through. Along the way I passed the stump of a tree with a giant boulder on top. All I can say is that would have been awesome to see – an enormous rock crashing down the side of the mountain, coming to rest precariously on the top of a stump.
The Top of the World
Finally getting around to posting the pictures of Saturday’s mountain adventure. Overall the days hike was a little more than 14 miles. However, 2 of those miles included an elevation gain of 2,000 feet to the trails end. Of course I didn’t stop there – because the mountain didn’t stop there. Up over some rocks and around a corner and I was filled with excitement. There, tied tightly to a tree about 15 yards up the trail, was a rope, the other end was tied to another tree just a few feet from me. The trail became very steep and for the next 1/4 mile or so ropes were necessary for most of it. At the top of the ropes and to the left was a rocky ledge on top of which I saw a man carefully making his way down. Those who know me know I love to climb rocks, so it was without hesitation that I took off up the first ledge. This was easy enough but then the next section brought with it some climbing and to my right a drop of a couple hundred feet, and to the left significantly more than that. I’m not going to lie, it was a little sketchy, but still up and over I went to the next ledge (which I won’t explain in as much detail because I don’t want to worry those of you who worry.) The climb, though scary in parts culminated in one of the most peaceful and beautiful moments on this trip so far. I worked my way to the edge(ish) and sat quietly eating my lunch, watching the birds gracefully floating on the air, playing in the updrafts and circling the mountaintop. Eventually I had to go down and, well, as fun as scrambling up over the rocks with death looming on either side was, down was a little less enjoyable. But I survived.
Sometimes I Change my Mind
I have been in the state of Washington for a week now. Last week I didn’t get out to do any exploring apart from the campground – which was beautiful. But Friday I loaded up and started heading east, then changed my mind and decided north was where I wanted to go. I have heard so many wonderful things about the peninsula and in hindsight wish I would have planned more time there. Friday I found another waterfall, Saturday I climbed a mountain (which will require it’s own post) and Sunday I climbed another mountain. Today standing hurts, walking hurts more. haha
Mt St Helens
The day Mount St. Helens erupted the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people were affected. It was the most destructive volcano in the United States. Yesterday on a whim I decided to drive up to the park and ride the trails leading to and meandering around the mountain. I was in awe as I rode my bicycle around its base. Every time I looked at it, I was struck by both its gentle barren beauty and the knowledge of the devastation it left upon its eruption. All in all, I rode almost twenty miles and climbed 3000 feet. Today I am reminded of that ride with every move I make. hashtagSORE
