Pyewacket

Great pics! Looks as if you guys had a wonderful time. Gotta find boots. And gaiters. And...? Oh, how much is the REI deposit for snowshoes if one is not a member? I was, once upon a time, but they can't find my info, and neither can I.

Color me lost; where are we going? Or are you talking about December's HOTM? No Fe and Crim in January? I still need to make my plans...all I'd considered is train, Monroe area, holiday event until someone asked me to wave my hand.

It's waving, it's waving! However comma...unless it's around January 9th, when I'll be in that neck of the woods (I'm taking the train down for the holiday party), I won't have transportation to get down there. Unless, that is, you're thinking about coming up here, which would be awesomely divine. I keep an eye on this thread, so I'll watch as things develop. I don't have snowshoes...does anyone know of a place in B'ham that rents them? And what kind of boots do you wear with them? I need to buy boots as it is. REI rents the snowshoes. Members don't pay deposits. If you buy boots let em know you're planning on wearing snowshoes and they'll direct you to the right kind. Do snowshoes require a particular kind of boot? I need a general purpose pair I can wear for winter (I've been wearing my slippers in the snow because they're the warmest footwear I have...lol. Can't afford a pair just for showshoeing, and can't spend a ton of money on anything. If this is Snowshoe 101...where do I find the kindergarten class? I know absolutely nothing about it, other than walking in the snow in the middle of nowhere must surely be the most peaceful experience.

It's waving, it's waving! However comma...unless it's around January 9th, when I'll be in that neck of the woods (I'm taking the train down for the holiday party), I won't have transportation to get down there. Unless, that is, you're thinking about coming up here, which would be awesomely divine. I keep an eye on this thread, so I'll watch as things develop. I don't have snowshoes...does anyone know of a place in B'ham that rents them? And what kind of boots do you wear with them? I need to buy boots as it is.

I'm definitely interested, but travel logistics for me are a nightmare. I'll be watching this space, though.

Well it isn't like we go out to do break bones on purpose. Stuff happens but we do try to be as careful as possible given the risk of any hike and conditions. I know, I'm jus' sayin'...sometimes it needs to be said out of the blue like that as a reminder. ...and not so thinly-veiled up there is my appreciation and adoration and a twinge of envy for those of you who do what you do, and your camaraderie while doing it.

Hey, guys, just remember, none of us are spring chickens anymore...we all have our weaknesses. There's a big difference in gently pushing the envelope and breaking free of a sedentary lifestyle (if medically recommended) than climbing, climbing, than boldly pushing your way through brush, only to slip down a slope and not be able to recover. I started a slide when I went hiking in the Sehome Arboretum. Part of me was thinking, "Uh oh...this won't end pretty..." and the other part was thinking, "Wheee! Wonder how this is gonna end!" I was aware enough to know how to catch myself (it was steep and muddy and very, very down with two sudden gusts of gravity) but starting down in that spot wasn't the wisest approach. You guys know how far to push and when you're pushing too far...please, for the companionship of the friends who would miss you immensely, stick to the safe path, or know exactly how much you are capable of doing, and don't get careless. Even then, the unforeseen can happen: a loose rock, slippery mud beneath a slimy moss, a tree root grabbing your foot, even your own health pitfalls (bones snap, organs argue and say *no*, sometimes the recovery takes longer than it should, which is a sign of necessary healing)... Enjoy your adventures, ladles and jelly spoons. But be aware how your absence would change the reality of those you love and those who love you, and reign in your adrenal gland accordingly. Enjoy the view, but keep your eye on the path at the same time. I look forward to vicariously hiking future hikes of the month with you, my friends. Namaste'.

Lake Padden is nice, a very chilly lake high in the hills. The trails going 'round are nice, too. I rode my folding bike, so I took the easy trail; my little folder is easily transported, but not so easy to ride on uneven terrain with 16" wheels. A couple of hills almost got me...I don't have my wind back after the PE...I may never get it back completely. I hope you brought towels...you're gonna want to dunk after a walk in today's heat and humidity. If you find a cheap, brown, wooden-beaded mala in the lake that looks as if it had been worn two years consecutively...can ya hold onto it for me?

I miss event after event since I gave away my van. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE that I'm sticking by my convictions and just riding my bike, taking mass transit, or riding with a friend if they were already planning to go my way. But it makes it really tough to get anywhere when the last bus for Sumas leaves at the time events just get started. Hey, Greg, can you check into the caches not far from here that are gold mine-themed? There's a hike with at least five caches that might not be as strenuous as some you've planned, but it wouldn't be a walk in the park, either. 'Course, it's quite a drive up here, but I'd be happy to offer sleeping space for as many as I can.

Don't be so sure about that. This is by far the toughest hike I've been on including Camp Muir. I thought it was bad going up but coming down was even worse. Sounds like we need another "drive in the mountains on logging roads and find easy caches" trip again...haven't had one of those in awhile... You're probably just saying that because this is the one thread I track and you knew I'd see it. Is Andrew driving again? Who's got valium? I'm a terrible back-seat passenger and driver. I'd never been on the likes of some of the roads Andrew, Brian and I cached on. It just kept going up and up and that road kept getting narrower and narrower. I had a BLAST that day, though, and the scenery...oh, my! That was my first view of Ross Lake. 'Nuff said?

As did breaking your foot (ankle?). How quickly they forget when there are mountain trails to be explored.

Would any out-of-towners attending be willing to trade a seat in your cachemobile for sleeping on my queen-sized AeroBed and properly-made tea and a vegetarian brekkie in the morning? I live in Sumas, which is 25+/- miles from B'ham.

As badly as I want to scratch that Crazy Monkey itch, my doctors (and more than a few of my friends, methinks) will prevent me from taking any hike for a while. I don't even know how long it will be before I can get back on The Pyecycle, and when I do, I have to take it very easy. This was going to be the summer I started pushing my limits again. Think someone is trying to tell me something?

Oh, she's serious. She's talked about that tripod forever.

Okay...how far a hike is this if you don't go for that sixth cache? I've been jonesin' to do this cache since I first heard about it. I don't know that I'll be able to get down there for the hike, though (it's 103.6 miles as the GPS flies). I'm watching this space to see what happens.

Drat! I was really, really hoping to host another breakfast event this summer so cyclists (and others) could make their way through the tunnel afterward...what a trip. Better safe than sorry, though...I do hope the tunnel can be made safe again; it's a real experience.

Thank you...and yes, indeedy. I'm looking forward to warmer weather so I can get out on my bike more; the cold hasn't been kind to me this winter. Who was the one doing the snow dance recently? Who moved here looking for snow? Hmmmm, I wonder.

Thank you...and yes, indeedy. I'm looking forward to warmer weather so I can get out on my bike more; the cold hasn't been kind to me this winter.

We got about two inches...just enough to make things really pretty and just a bit more difficult in which to ride my bike. I love the snow, but I'm wary about it melting; it was a disaster last time.

Trying to look on the bright side of things after a very long day...the guy down the street turned on his Christmas lights. Add a star above the house, a little wind, some flooding...at least ya get a pretty picture. My feet stayed dry, as did those of my cat. My heart goes out to those whose didn't; I hope to never get this close to a flood again.

I can't say that I woke up to this this morning because I was too nervous to sleep. Across the street from my apartment building The front of my apartment building; the water is a couple of feet deep. Pano of the side street

The town ditch here in eburg is higher than it would be in the spring and summer. Normally, they lower the water level in the fall, then raise it again in the spring, as it's a agricultural canal. There were people sandbagging my apartment building a few hours ago.

Well... I did start feeling bad so I asked for the snow to stop. Instead, it turned to rain, creating a slushy, gloopy mess. If it's any consolation to you guys (paybacks, dontchaknow), I got well and truly slushed by several passing cars today while out on my bike. My dance/call doesn't reach the mountain passes; those of you affected by that have my sympathy but you can't pin the blame on me. And poor Alnilam and family. I'm so glad the horses weren't harmed, though.

Wow!

We still have several inches of snow on the ground, lots of ice on the roads (try riding a bike), and we've had a couple of inches of snow every other night for the last week. It's snowing now (I'm in Sumas). I figure I still have a couple of years before I'll get tired of this, having spent waaaaay too many years in the south and going without. Haven't you all noticed that there's been a lot more snow than average since I arrived in the PNW? Want me to stop doing my snow dance and snow call?