Camping Weekend

The weekend finally arrived where we went camping. It is rather surprising that this is my first camping trip of the year, and will likely to be my last for winter is approaching fast. Typically, I camp several times a year up and around the Mt Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest.

Angela found Money Creek Campground, just off of highway 2. The sites sit along the side of the rapid Skykomish River making for a pleasant white noise background as you lay inside your tent late at night.

The four of us arrived Friday evening, set up camp and almost instantly felt relax and excited about the next days ahead of us. While sitting in front of the fire under a canopy of old growth trees, we talked about many things, including what hike we should do on Saturday. Did we want to see an old fire lookout, a waterfall, or a serene lake. After the votes were cast, serenity won out and Barclay Lake was where we were heading.

Saturday came quickly and after a great, hearty breakfast of pancakes with walnuts and bananas cooked inside, we packed lunches and made our way to the trail head. Just off of highway 2, and about 5 miles from our campsite, you reach the tiny town of Baring and also the turnoff. You then begin a 4 mile uphill climb in your car, which cuts into the side of Baring Mountain. The trail is short and sweet, taking you through an enchanted-like forest which my guidebook accurately describes as gnome-like. Around every corner, it felt like you should see fairies and gnomes, and maybe even a troll or two.

You eventually see the lake, which is located directly under Baring Mountain, an imposing peak reminding me of Half-Dome in Yosemite. The peak is over 6,000 ft high and sitting at the base of it makes you feel miniscule. Sadly, the lake itself is muddy and not ideal for swimming, though still stunning. You can sit peacefully on the sandy shores of the lake and look at the grandeur of the peak that looms over you.

After our hike we then found a peaceful spot along the Skykomish River to play along, where we were skipping and stacking rocks. A salmon fisherman and his son were also sharing this part of the river with us and watching the two of them was very picturesque.

The rest of the trip was just as relaxing and wonderful. We made great food and we had great company. It is trips like these that makes me love living in the Pacific Northwest, where nature is so close to home and yet a world away.

Here are some photos of the hike up to Barclay Lake and Baring Mountain.

Frankie Four

Yesterday I woke to the rain pouring down over Ballard. It was a cold, dark and dreary morning, not the kind of morning you want when you are scheduled for an afternoon beach swim suit shoot at Carkeek Park.

I went out for my morning coffee, per my usual routine, enjoyed an everything bagel with cream cheese, and spent the early morning reading some Washington Trails books. I am trying to plan out my trail runs throughout Western Washington for the upcoming summer months. If I can manage it, I would like to tackle a trail or two a week, with the goal being around 30 new trails to add to my arsenal.

It was still raining steadily as I finished my hot coffee and I headed home, to change into my running clothes. With the raindrops being as heavy as they were, I knew that Discovery Park would be all rivers and waterfalls and I simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to play around in this.

I ran around the park loop once (4.25 miles) running and jumping into puddles, taking in the rain and enjoying the cool crisp air on my face. When I got back to the beginning I didn't want to stop. It is just too much fun, after all I was already drenched, muddy, and still full of energy. I ran around the park a second time, reversing the direction for a new experience.

When I had my fill I rode back to Ballard and jumped in the warm shower and sipped some more hot Kona coffee, coffee that given to me as a gift from Angela and Jason upon returning from Hawaii.

The rain never abated and now it was time for our Frankie Four photo shoot, which is looking more and more like it will be an indoor shoot. Angela had made a lot of new men's vintage swim suits for me to model, as well as, our friend Charlie. Ruthie would be our female model, with Julie Harmsen our wonderful professional photographer. Any true Seattle native would tell you to take the weather in stride...it rains and then is stops...it then rains some more and then it stops. You just have to go with the flow. I feel like I am being more like a native Seattleite with each passing day, for I just take the weather in stride and it doesn't stop me from much of anything. The shoot was a lot of fun, even though we were a little constricted due to our location. I am just hoping something good turns out that Angela can use for her website. We will just have to wait and see.

Back in Seattle, STP and Cannon Beach, Missed Opportunities

Another Seattle To Portland Bike ride down. This makes three in a row. After riding for 215 miles for 13 hours and 50 minutes and then spending a few days of recovering time at the beach house down in Cannon Beach I am now back in Seattle, sitting at a Ballard coffee shop with my everything bagel and tall americano listening to CocoRosie while writing this post.

This year I rode solo and it was a great mental challenge because I missed my friends Justin and Jimmy. I wouldn't have them to lean on if I needed to, to help keep me going and focused while also adding a little more fun and humor to the ride. While you are surrounded by other riders from all over the country, it is nice having a friend to ride with, someone with whom you share the experience.

Thoughts on the ride:
1. it sucks waking up at 3:30 am
2. it is important to keep your mouth closed while riding...there are a lot of bugs.
3. I don't want any bananas for a week. 5 in a day is just too many.
4. I love girls in spandex. I think it is oddly sexy. Just saying.
5. I am glad I didn't crash this year.

Anyway. I feel a great sense of accomplishment, like I succeeded and overcame some seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Oddly enough, deep down I knew I could but I didn't want to admit it to people.

While I was waiting for Ross and Sylvie to pick me up post ride, all I could think about was getting a coffee. I really really wanted Stumptown but there wasn't one where I was by the Convention Center so I just went to Starbucks. After ordering and finding a spot on the patio next to two cute girls I sat and thought about what I had just done and it felt good. Really good. More importantly, my americano was heavenly. The best part about it....as I was leaving one of the girls said to me "hey you, I just wanted to tell you that I think you are extremely hot."
Silly me...my response was 'Thanks.' Are you kidding me. 'Thanks'!!! Sheesh.

Cannon Beach was exactly what I needed after the ride. Sipping tequila next to a toasty fire on the beach late a night, listening to the waves crash and singing songs while Jason strummed his guitar, it was perfection. Ian brought a frisbee with a light in it. Wow, that is one of the greatest things! You can't see who you are throwing it to, but they can see the frisbee so it all works out in the end. Dave and Charissa joined us one night and we told ghost stories by the fire.....'And the call came from inside the house!' Oh Charissa. I miss you.
I have so many more stories to tell but I'll save them for another time.