Originally I was going to do another, newer & longer hike that I've always wanted to do. I decided not to violate the sanctity of this new hike. I needed a hike that wouldn't mind me bringing along the heartbreak. Heartbreak distracts me from my surroundings and I just wouldn't be able to appreciate a new trail. The good thing about Rainier is that she's seen me at my best, my worst, my weakest, my strongest and even embarrassed. Yes embarrassed.
I decided on Tolmie Peak which has many embarrassing memories of hiking with my family after church. More specifically one day when my Mother decided to wear a watermelon-scented jazzercise shirt that the bees especially loved as their own. We could hear her scream my father's name (it echoed) through out the hike. We all played dumb "No, we don't know who that crazy woman is...not sure why she's following us..." we'd tell other hikers.
Anyway - this is Mowich Lake which is right next to the parking lot. The good thing about this hike that I needed today was that:
*it was short (I wasn't totally sure I was up for it)
*it was guaranteed to have other hikers (no bears or mountain murders please)
*It would have a great view i.e. thinking spot.
As I was walking the trail my rules were:
1. No crying.
2. No making "what I'll miss" lists.
3. No Reminising
4. No replaying lines from the breakup conversation the day before
5. No self-pity
This is me with a mile to go to the peak. See the old fire lookout? That's where I was headed. I had my head down, focused on going fast and foot in front of the other. I passed a VERY talkative gentleman that had his ten essentials in his plastic bag (weird) in his left hand.
This is me with a mile to go to the peak. See the old fire lookout? That's where I was headed. I had my head down, focused on going fast and foot in front of the other. I passed a VERY talkative gentleman that had his ten essentials in his plastic bag (weird) in his left hand.
He was still talking to my back as I passed him encouraged by my short and polite responses. I was hoping he'd get the hint that I wanted to be alone. Then I hear:
"Wow, you're really good at this. You're going up that hill fast. You must practice a lot or have youth on your side."
It was a nice compliment although I wasn't feeling strong or youthful at the moment. I just wanted to hurry up and sit so Rainier could console me.
This was a very pretty spot which I thought probably had great wildflowers in the summer. But now summer is over and cold will start to take over....
I have to add Rule #6 which is: NO sad breakup analogies on this hike!
I'm almost to the lookout tower at this point and I smell cannibus very strongly up here. This could be a fun game: which hiker is high? I just hope the driver was more pass pass then puff puff. But I digress...
There's good 'ol Tolmie! Tolmie looks good for his age. He may look weathered and tired but check this out...
...Tolmie has the best view in Pierce County.
...Tolmie has the best view in Pierce County.
If I had left a little later (as intended) these hills would be a prettier color reflected from the sun setting. I found out on accident before that Tolmie Peak is one of THE BEST sunset hikes ever. Rainier one side, Olympics the other. Simply breathtaking.
And finally I had found my sit and think spot. I let Rainier talk to me. I didn't talk very much. It took me forever to finish the whole luna bar I had with me.
And finally I had found my sit and think spot. I let Rainier talk to me. I didn't talk very much. It took me forever to finish the whole luna bar I had with me.
The best thing about sitting up here was hearing the people below making their words echo. I could hear the kids laughing so hard as their jibberish played over and over again in the rocks. Then there was also some random dude that kept on shouting "Nacho Libre!" for his echo of choice.
A group of fellas next to me were looking to the left (picture above) trying to figure out the source of shadows that fell on the forest. I silently pondered with them when I couldn't keep track of all the pikas in the rocks around me.
Don't get me wrong, I love all the green and beige around me but I loved these slate and cobalt colors that was decorated inside this clear lake. I usually like to jump into lakes but not on days that I'm alone...like today.
Dangit it Krista - Rule #7: stop focusing that being alone is bad and sad right now.
Unfortunately I didn't stay at the fire tower long enough to see the sunset from up there but I did pull off the side of the road & steal this picture as I was driving back to civilization....
...and it's counterpoint. Thanks for the great hiking therapy Rainier. You are always there when I need ya. Too bad you never got to meet him...
...and it's counterpoint. Thanks for the great hiking therapy Rainier. You are always there when I need ya. Too bad you never got to meet him...
And Hulster, you will be missed. Thank you so much for all the memories. You are one of the good ones!
1 comment:
Beautifully modest and well written.
I dont know what happened with you two but he was VERY lucky to have been with you.
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