Grassy Knoll and Lost Creek Trails

Quarantined and a torn rotator cuff aka terrible shoulder pain... no problem! Hike with a friend who has been isolated as much as you have, who believes the virus situation is serious, and who also is willing to help with the basics (putting on/pulling off my backpack and raincoat, tightening my straps, and even creating my ponytail!). Drive up an open forest road in the middle of nowhere and hike on a couple of lesser known trails. That's how today went! I finally got back outside doing what I love so much!

It rained... the sun shined... it got dark... it THUNDERED (yikes)... and it POURED! Crazy weather with very wet, muddy and sometimes snowy trails but I had a smile on my face the entire time! It was a GREAT day and just what I needed to help me through... it was an "altitude adjustment".

Life is good again. ;)


Grassy Knoll Trail:

 

Lost Creek Trail:

2020 Hike 12/52 - 4.30 miles; 1283 feet of elevation gain

2020 Hike 13/52 - 2.13 miles; 135 feet of elevation gain

Quarantining in the Neighborhood

The last time I was on a trail was March 21st. Washington State has been under a stay at home order since March 24th. I miss the trails, the mountains, and the human interaction. I have my 80-year-old mother in my home (thankfully) which gives me some human contact (and her too) but I'm used to having so much more. I feel like a caged animal. I want outside. I've been in my own backyard soaking up the sun when it's not raining but that's not the same. The trails, mountains, and trees are my happy place - the place I find my peace and forget about everything else in the world. Why was it necessary to close ALL of the trails? Most hikers naturally give each other distance. Maybe the most popular areas were good to close but all of them? I don't understand that. 

Today I decided to get out on a local path that is still open to enjoy. It's not a trail but certainly better than walking along a street. The path is wide and there is plenty of space to spread out. I needed to feel the sunshine and fresh air. I needed outside. I needed to see people... at a distance... and there were plenty of them out there. Some wore masks, most just put a lot of space between you and them. We said "hello" and "good morning" as we passed but it felt strange. People aren't the same. People seemed worried and suspicious (or is that just me?). I eventually quit making eye contact and just enjoyed the walk, the heat of the sun, and the beauty of being outside. The little human interaction I had was wonderful and just what I needed today! ❤

Apparently the turtles know nothing about
the social distancing requirements! ;)

2020 (urban) Hike 11/52

6.61 miles; 48 feet elevation gain