Enjoying the outdoors

Friday, July 03, 2009

Today I took my sister up to Rainier for a hike, the same one I took my granddaughter on. We went pretty early but it still was warm, no real breeze. We took it slow and drank plenty of water. It was just such a nice hike, greeting others on the trail, enjoying a cute little ground squirrel digging for some goodie in the moss. Unfazed by onlookers, he just kept digging until he finally got his nut. He just sat there by the trail and munched away. What a sight that was! And, no, I didn't remember to take my flower book with me. Too bad, because there were some interesting plants growing under the trees.

On our way back we drove by the 3 mile line of cars waiting to get into the park. We stopped off to enjoy a mocha before driving back home. Now I am relaxing in the heat of the day and happy I got to enjoy the great outdoors.

Happy 4th everyone.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MAKULEWAHINE 7/4/2009 11:22AM

I have walked with people who have a lot of knowledge about the local plants and it has made the walk more interesting. In college I really loved my botany class so am not surprised at my interest. Life is just better when you know more about your surroundings. Report Inappropriate Comment

POLK-A-DOTS 7/4/2009 11:16AM

Sounds incredible....It was warm yesterday morning....I was surprised! Funny you mentioned your flower book...My Dad is an entomologist...Dr. Grable to be exact...so whenever we go on a hike, or walk he is my walking flowerbook....he knows all the plants by their "street name" and their scientific name...and the bugs as well....What incredible knowledge.... I hope you have a great 4th! Report Inappropriate Comment

LAURANAV1 7/4/2009 10:29AM

Sounds like a fun day! I'm glad your sister went with you, it's good to have her to share this with. Report Inappropriate Comment

RICH530 7/3/2009 8:54PM

Sounds like such a great day!!! Next time you will have to remember your flower book!! Maybe you could take a camera with you and share some of those beautiful flowers you are talking about!! Glad you had such fun!! Happy 4th to you!! Lee Report Inappropriate Comment

Those crazy old folks!!

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Today was my usual day for biking with my friends of a certain age. Six of us off on an adventure, we tried to get an early start for our ride from a nearby town because it was forecast to be a hot day. So we started off in a little town called Adna. Our fearless leader had said it would be about 40 miles so we were well prepared. It was a beautiful day through a sparsely settled countryside. Up and down some small hills. Then "THE HILL". By this time it had started to get pretty warm and this turned out to be a long and steep hill. Huff and puff, huff and puff. I tried my best but eventually my legs just refused to spin and the heat took its toll on me. Walk up the rest of the hill.

Down the other side on a 10% grade. A fun section but hard on my arms and hands as I tried to keep the bike under control. I chickened out at about 30 mph. Then on to the flat part through corn and wheat fields, under the noon-day sun! Ugh. We stopped often under any shady spot we could find. A small store supplied us with cool drinks to add to our water bottles. A couple of us were getting pretty fatigued after a while and we stopped at about 40 miles......Uh uh, we still weren't near the end. It turned out to be more like 50 miles!!!!

Fortunately, one rider is a very strong rider who is getting ready for a long arduous ride this month. So he rode back to get his pick-up and ferry people back to the car. As we waited for our ride to appear we sat under the shady cover of a store front and watched the goldfinches flitter around in the tall grass. I have never appreciated an air-conditioned car quite as much as I did today. I think it got close to 90 degrees while we were out and about. That's too hot for me.

So now I am home, relaxing and drinking some cool water and getting ready for a hike tomorrow.....it's supposed to be even hotter tomorrow but I am hoping the mountains will not be quite as hot. Wish me luck.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MSTELZER 7/3/2009 10:33AM

Oh my gosh what an experience!!! You did incredible - keep up the great work! I am all for air conditioning as well!!!! Michelle Report Inappropriate Comment

MAKULEWAHINE 7/3/2009 8:26AM

Thanks for your advice and good wishes. I learned the hard way how important it is to carry lots of water. I have a camelback both for my biking and my hiking. It makes a huge difference. I feel really good today so I guess I drank enough yesterday. My sister, who has not done much hiking, is going with me today, so we won't be going fast or too long if it gets very hot. But we'll enjoy ourselves. Report Inappropriate Comment

DSCHAMBERS 7/2/2009 11:33PM

Enjoy your hike tomorrow and remember to take plenty of water with you. I don't think you will find many stores in the mountains depending how high you go. Debbie Report Inappropriate Comment

LORRAINE_D 7/2/2009 10:51PM

Take care and don't overdo it! Remember the turtle wins the race! When it gets warmer that is a problem in itself. It's been cool here but have family in from Ohio so it is too busy to go out. Sounds like you are having a great time. Good for you. Just be good to yourself! Report Inappropriate Comment

Hiking with children!!!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

In an effort to share the great outdoors with my six year old granddaughter, I took her hiking to Mt. Rainier yesterday. Most of the trails are still covered in snow so we chose a lower trail to start our adventure. The weather was spectacular and the scenery beautiful. She is not really into walking so hiking was a stretch, but she did a good job. A little coercion, a little encouragement, a few half-truths (let's just go see what's around that corner, then we'll rest and think about our next step). We kept going until she flat out refused to go any further. The reward was a big ice cream cone later on. She earned it. I stuck to a mocha so I could stay awake on the long drive home.

On the drive home we discussed what we liked about hiking (there was no need to encourage her about what she didn't like.). She liked being in nature and doing something healthy. But we both decided that the best part was having each other as company on our adventure. We are planning the next one right now. Putting a little more research into the planning of food. I look forward to it. We'll (I'll) choose a different but similar trail for the next time. And we'll bring a wildflower book to identify some of the plants we see.

Grandchildren are such a blessing. They help me see the world in a whole new way. So, find an activity to share with your loved ones. It is worth it.

Gordon

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MAUIGIRL08 7/1/2009 1:28AM

Very inspirational! Love your coersion and getting her to express what she liked! We all need more family time and exploring our beautiful world where we live. Those pics are so precious it takes on a whole new meaning, once you've captured a living animal in a still shot. Good luck on your next hiking trip. Report Inappropriate Comment

EMILYSEXTON 6/30/2009 7:16PM

how fun! I love rainer it is so beautiful! Report Inappropriate Comment

S_HANSEN 6/30/2009 5:02PM

Wow, what fun! Good for you for getting some exercise while you spend time with a grand child. I am jealous. Keep up the great job you are doing. Sondra Report Inappropriate Comment

MSTELZER 6/30/2009 3:40PM

What a wonderful day it sounds like you both had! I went hiking at Mt. Rainier many years ago when on vacation and can remember how beautiful it was! Thanks for sharing these pictures!!!!! Michelle Report Inappropriate Comment

RICH530 6/30/2009 3:25PM

Sounds like a great day for both of you!!! You are right, grandchildren are a blessing. My most favorite activity is spending time with my two DGD's. They give you such a fresh view of everything around you!! I am sure your next hike will be even more fun!! Might I suggest giving her a few choices of food to bring so that she is part of the planning as well. I would love to hear how it goes!! Lee Report Inappropriate Comment

DSCHAMBERS 6/30/2009 1:07PM

I think it is awesome that you and your granddaughter had fun hiking and plan on doing it again. Debbie Report Inappropriate Comment

LAURANAV1 6/30/2009 12:18PM

That sounds fun! I'm glad it went well and you are already planning another one. Laura Report Inappropriate Comment

LORRAINE_D 6/30/2009 12:16PM

What a great blog this was and that is great that you took time out with your granddaughter. We have our 15 year old grandson with us from Ohio. Grandpa just took him out in his big rolloff truck to pick up some bricks. Our grandson was not too happy. He is used to an easy life with his Mom and not used to the 'work life' with Grandpa. My husband and son have a Concrete business. My husband usually drives the big truck and our son does alot of the manual labor. I think that will be the next step for our grandson. He needs a day to see how hard his Uncle Mike works. Yesterday, I spent the early part of the day with our 2 and 4 year old granddaughters. Afternoon our grandson came in from Ohio by airplane, then I had our other 2 granddaughters 15 and 11 here for lunch with the rest of them The other two, our 14 year old granddaughter was home helping her mohter with the newborn grandson who will be 3 weeks old tomorrow. Guess we could write a book about our grandchildren? Thanks for sharing your hiking story! Your pictures are beautiful Comment edited on: 6/30/2009 12:19:47 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

Never say die!!!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Somewhat recovered from my Saturday ride and my lesion removal yesterday, I took off with my son, his girlfriend, and my son's father (my ex) for a bike ride. It was really fun and I rode faster than I had in a long time. We got home just as it started to sprinkle. I don't think we'll get much moisture, but it is always nice to end just as the weather turns. Now I get to see how well I do tomorrow on a longer, but slower, ride with my friends.

It feels good to get out. Yesterday I had not had a good night's sleep and a stressful doctor's appt., so came home and slept for 4 hours. Thought I would have trouble at night....not to worry. I got 8 hours of good sleep. I must have needed it and so feel a lot better today.

Am excited to get in so much bike time. I aim to ride 100 miles in August. We'll see.

Cherish this day!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

RICH530 6/24/2009 7:53PM

Glad you were able to catch up on your sleep!! 100 Miles in August!! Good for you!! Lee Report Inappropriate Comment

MRSWIGGLY6 6/24/2009 6:56PM

Great job on the sleep and yes you probably did need it. I am impressed with your will power to keep going and now doing the 100 miles in August that is Awesome. Marilyn Report Inappropriate Comment

S_HANSEN 6/24/2009 4:17PM

Wow, 100 miles in August! Good for you! So glad you caught up on your sleep and are feeling great today. Keep up the great riding. Sondra Report Inappropriate Comment

Never say die!!!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Somewhat recovered from my Saturday ride and my lesion removal yesterday, I took off with my son, his girlfriend, and my son's father (my ex) for a bike ride. It was really fun and I rode faster than I had in a long time. We got home just as it started to sprinkle. I don't think we'll get much moisture, but it is always nice to end just as the weather turns. Now I get to see how well I do tomorrow on a longer, but slower, ride with my friends.

It feels good to get out. Yesterday I had not had a good night's sleep and a stressful doctor's appt., so came home and slept for 4 hours. Thought I would have trouble at night....not to worry. I got 8 hours of good sleep. I must have needed it and so feel a lot better today.

Am excited to get in so much bike time. I aim to ride 100 miles in August. We'll see.

Cherish this day!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SHEILASMILES 6/24/2009 9:51PM

This is great! Glad you are feeling better and were able to have a nice ride today. It's good that you slept well also. That makes a lot of difference. Good luck on your challenge. I admire your perseverance. Sheila Report Inappropriate Comment