First 2009 Excursion

Pretty pretty gumdrops! Today was such a good day to get out into the woods and frolic. Despite the crazy wind on I-90 it was very calm on the trail. Not our intended trail mind you - we had to turn around after the road proved to be pure ice. So thank goodness for my Snoqualmie Corridor hiking book - one of my loves in life...

It was craziness to see any green at all - and a waterfall? Pure craziness in the forest today so Big D took a pic of me in it. I'm not looking at her because I'm gazing at our view. Why didn't I take a pic of that? Because you should of come with me if you wanted to see it, that's why.

The waterfall was so soothing, I was in such bliss that I decided to lay down on my back and have a moment. I love how trees look from my back. Have you ever tried that? Try it: trees look great looking from flat on your back.


And of course Big D snapped me out of my blissful moment with her "RAWR!" She seems so elated about attacking me doesn't she? Yup folks, that's what keeps our friendship strong: Pure abuse and fear.

The trail was relatively flat and then all of a sudden it went up, and up in classic switchback fashion. Which was really good because we were craving some post-hike beers and had pre-calories to burn!

Check out this branch - how does the snow just ribbon around it like that? I don't have an answer either because I went to F.P.

There were *so* many vine maples along the trail covered in snow. Look how perty this one is...

I can't resist shaking off snow! *pull!*


*pour!*



That's what I get. Snow was dripping off my face but it felt fantastic. I keep on complaining about the snow because I *really* miss my summer hikes but then after days like today I remember how soothing and whimsical hiking in the snow can be. It really is like venturing off into a still photograph - nothing moves or makes a sound. Well, nothing moves until you shake it's branches of course.

After much switch-back trekking Diane faked exhaustion so we could have our cocoa-peppermint schnapps break!

Now *this* is the best part of hiking in the snow. We sit down on our waterproof coats, making our butts numb anyway and sip on our cocoa with schnapps. Then we start getting into geeky yet heart-warming conversation. The whole "I love you man" especially "I love you in the woods man" and the classic "isn't so-and-so so great? We love them man!"

I do have to admit that Big D and I know some *very* fantastic people in our life that it can get quite overwhelming. We've known each other for years and out of anyone she knows me the best - so we can double-attest to the amazing people we both know. But I digress (Schnapps are still in my system obviously - babble babble).

So after sitting and yapping too long we noticed it started snowing again and was getting dark. I took this photo when we were almost to the trailhead. Don't you feel good and cozy already? It was so stinking beautiful!

Afterwards we got our burger and beers at the local tav. After much discussion about what to do for our 30th birthday (were one day apart but guess who's older!!) we decided that Macchu Picchu is more suited for 32, Wonderland trail is suited for 31 - so what for 30? Colorado baby! That means more hiking and beer drinking. And were hoping to throw Utah in the mix as well. This gives me more material to daydream about.

So we were so surprised that on the way home it kept snowing, and snowing and snowing. It was coming down hard in North Bend so we figured the best thing to do was:

1. Drive slower.

2. Follow the taillights ahead of us.

3. Blast Limp Bizkit.

Yeah I said it: Limp Bizkit. A soundtrack from our sassy-frassy days years ago in our early twenties. I continuously recorded our progress as we made our way from North Bend to FDubya. Some of my material is not suitable for "all eyes". Also, holy crap, do I have the highest voice ever or what??

So for your viewing pleasure I've posted the quick update from Mercer Island.

Available for private viewing: Big D and Krista's rendition of Limp Bizkit's "Break Something". P-R-I-V-A-T-E viewing only. And you have to earn it with flattery and gifts.

"Give me something to break!!" (It's in your head now isn't it....)

"It's all about that he said she said bullsh*t!" (Now it's *really* in your head isn't it!!)

Until the next woodsy frolic...don't break anything. It's just a song.