The Washington State Chronicles

Now, I know some of you are thinking, "Wait a tick...am I on the right site?" Well the answer is yes. Yes you are. I thought my blog needed a little freshening up, so I sprayed some digital Fabreze around and spruced things up a bit. Enjoy!

Well, I was finally able to make it down to REI on one of my evenings off. It's fastly becoming my new favorite store, and I'm cringing on the inside thinking about how much money I'm going to be throwing down over the next few years as I start to collect my gear. I ended up purchasing a really nice, lightweight, technical daypack, because I really needed some type of pack to go hiking with. Even if it's not the Deuter Lite pack I'd like to buy eventually, it's still enough to organize "The 10 Essentials" I need to carry out on the trails, and it's hydration compatible. So...with that being said, I think my next purchase will be a reservior so I don't have to lug around my huge 32oz water bottle anymore. Plus it doesn't hurt that my new pack is ecosensitive, being made from 100% recycled PET polyester fabric, which bascially keeps about 24 16oz plastic bottles out of landfills. Kinda like my ecoSNEAKS from Simple Shoes which are completely made out of recycled or organic materials. Makes me feel like I'm at least trying to do something to help out Mother Nature.

I was able to take my pack for a mini test-drive January 18th on a small daytrip my mom and I took for her birthday. It held everything we needed and still had room to spare. I can't wait to bring it with me on a real hike. Once the weather cooperates again, I plan on visiting a new park I was unaware of called Swan Creek. Apparently it's a 2 mile trail around a creek canyon, with 290 heavily wooded acres, once used as a logging site back in the 1800's. Two hundred and ninety acres! That's twice the size of Clark's Creek! Like Clark's Creek, Swan Creek is also used by salmon to spawn, and eventually flows into the Puyallup River. I'm excited about this one guys, I'm not gonna lie.

Yesterday after work, I took my new pack filled with all my workout gear, and headed for Bradley Lake Park, just off the main strip of Meridian. This fairly recreational park offers a great 0.8 mile paved track around stunning Bradley Lake, with great views, and really amazing trees (the fishing's not bad either). I went for a 2 mile run, just wanting to be outdoors in the fresh air. I'd much rather jog around oxygen producing trees, then along a thick, exhaust polluted street. Besides, with interesting views to keep your eyes occupied, everything else starts to sort of fade into the background, and before you know it, you don't even really realize you're working out at all. I finished off my workout with some yoga at home, and called it an early evening.

Today I took it easy -- it was my day off after all -- and went into town to just pittle around a little bit. I ended up getting a free coffee at Starbucks (hey...I'm never going to refuse free coffee!), and I just so happened to stumble across a super cute green thermal that was 50% off. Better yet, it has thumbholes in it. I love thumbholes! I think they're soooo cute! I've been known to sew thumbholes in my own clothing, but when I find shirts or hoodies that already have them, it's even better.

All in all, not a bad couple of days. The weather has even been mild, apart from the heavy winds. But, it's back to work tomorrow, and for the rest of the week. I am, however, looking forward to my Uncle Fred's birthday coming up on the 28th. It's always a pleasant visit when my Uncle comes over to this neck of the woods.

That's pretty much it. Not much going on around here. Be sure to check back, though. I'll be adding footage and pictures of my trip to Swan Creek soon.

Yesterday was so fantastic! I had the day off, and it just so happened to be the only day with some half decent weather. The forecast for the next couple of weeks is nothing but rain. Yes, it was sprinking a tad bit, but that didn't stop me from going back out to Clark's Creek in search of a waterfall my dad told me about. I packed a small lunch, plenty of water, and a power bar -- just in case -- only because I had no idea where this waterfall was, and I was determined to find it. Taking an early start, I set out on the trail at about 11:30am and hiked my way up into the hills following the sound of running water below. Clark's Creek was definitely nearby, even if I couldn't actually see it.

Not too far into my hike, I heard a distant roar, and excitedly rushed through the trees, ferns, mud, damp moss, and rocks towards it. Once I got close enough to see what it actually was, my heart dropped disappointedly only to find out it was the creek's dam. However, I didn't have too much time to dwell on it, because suddenly a huge Blue Heron took flight out of the river and startled me. I wish I would've had my camera handy to snap a shot, but he was too fast. They're such gorgeous birds! Even though I hadn't found the mythical waterfall, I still decided to snap a couple of pictures anyway.

My hopes were dashed that I wasn't able to find the waterfall my father spoke of, but that didn't stop me from having a breath-taking hike. I trekked south from 12th Ave. clear all the way to 23rd Ave -- which just so happens to be the southern border of the park! From there I back-tracked and wandered west, crossing over the creek twice as it snaked through the forest. I even had the rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of a Pileated Woodpecker!


All in all, yesterday really wasn't all that bad weather wise. Despite the insignificant amount of rain, the temps hovered up in the 50's, and I had to take off a layering piece to stay comfortable. I really tackled some steep inclines and some fairly tough downgrades. I'm sure it's nothing compared to what Mt. Rainier has to offer, but I figure this will help condition and get me prepared for what I'd actually like to do. I'm surprised I'm not as sore as I thought I'd be. I guess that Aleeve worked it's magic, or perhaps I'm in better shape than I thought! I was still exhausted, nonetheless, by the time I reached home. After I cleaned up and stuck my muddy clothes in the wash, I crashed hard on the couch with the fireplace roaring. There's nothing like being in the cold outdoors to help you appreciate a plush couch and a warm harth.

While I wait out the storms over the next few weeks, I won't be able to get out much, but perhaps I can take a trip into Tacoma to my local REI store to drool over all the backpacking and camping gear I have my heart set on. It'll take some time to accumulate all the things I need and/or want to have, I'm sure, but I'm hoping by this time next year I'll have some good pieces purchased. Then I can think about attempting an overnighter, or maybe even a three day backpacking trip. My ultimate goal is to sucessfully complete the Wonderland Trail, which is a 10-14 day, 93 mile hike with an elevation gain/loss of 3,500 ft. a day, with the highest recorded point sitting at 6,700 ft. The trail completely circumfrences the base of Mt. Rainier, and starts off at Longmire. It's a beast of an objective to be sure, and I want to be fully prepared, so it's not something I'll likely accomplish in the next year, or maybe even two, but I'd like to hike it eventually. It would definitely be an experience of a lifetime.

Well, I hope you readers are having better weather than I am and are able to get outdoors some. Until next time, thanks for checking in!

Thank God for a day off and some half decent weather! After church today, I decided to visit one of my favorite parks in the area, Clark's Creek Park! This park spans 55 amazing acres of forest, and is home to Clark's Creek (for which the park was named). The north part of the park is fairly recreational with picnic tables, an open play area for kids, tennis courts and softball fields, but I'm more interested in the hiking trails that lead up into the hills. Along the way you can catch glimpses of Clark's Creek trickling through the heavily wooded forest, and you'd be surprised at what else you can stumble upon. At the edge of the park, near 15th Avenue, there's a salmon fish hatchery where they actually raise baby fish, and release them into Clark's Creek where they then work themselves upstream to spawn and live their lives. It's pretty cool. This area is also great for mountain bikers because of all the extreme hills Clark's Creek has to offer. There are lots of bikers out on any given day, so if you ever decide to go visit the park, just make sure you're on the look out for them and stay clear of their path. Sometimes they're traveling at such high speeds coming down the hills that they might not be able to stop in time! And trust me...you'll lose. Ha-ha!

It was fairly cloudy, however, the sun did start to peek it's way out of the overcast skies at the start of my hike. And for that, I was very thankful.

Only a few things have changed since I last visited Clark's Creek, and I'll talk about those in my video blog, which will be posted at the end here. Other than that, it's still the same forest I know and love, with all the old trees and landmarks.


Well, I think my video log best says everything else. Check it out, and until next time -- get out there and enjoy the outdoors!


Clark's Creek Park Hike

Karen

MySpace Video

Hey gang! I haven't written in awhile because, as you all know, I've been frantically getting ready to move cross country back to my home state of Washington. Well...I'm finally back home, my car has been delivered (thank GOD), and my computer is unpacked and ready to go. I can now start to get settled in here, little by little.

My flight went fantastically well, with absolutely no delays or bumps along the way (unless you count the turbulence). I actually arrived at both of my destinations rather early, and even had time to enjoy a nice, hot, white-chocolate mocha. I had a window seat on the left side of the plane coming in to Seattle, which allowed me to sit and stare in awe at Mt. Rainier, which I greatly missed. I guess you don't really realize how much scenery plays a part in your life, until you don't have it anymore. Needless to say...I'm very thankful to have the fantastic view out my bedroom window once more.



For the first week I was home, the weather was uncharacteristically clear, however, it was extremely cold. Temps were down in the mid to high twenties. We even had snow! One thing's for sure, I'm definitely going to have to get used to this colder weather again. Yesterday, the clouds crept down from the mountainside, enveloping the air with a thick, misty, foggy rain. I fell asleep last night, peacefully, to the familiar sound of whooshing rain running over my roof. It absolutely poured, washing away what was left of the snow. Today, it's overcast and drizzly -- typical pacific northwest weather. Only the foothills of the mountain are visible from my window. The pine trees, with their thick scent, stick out like silhouettes against their grey backgrounds. The light is dark and dim, but at least it's warmed up a bit with the cloud cover. Forty-seven degrees today, even though it doesn't feel like it.

I've rather enjoyed seeing our native Mountain Chickadees again. They're one of the only birds that actually stick it out through the rough winter, instead of migrating south to the warmer states. They've been stalking up on the sunflower seeds we've set out in our feeders, trying to fatten themselves up to help insulate themselves against the bitter cold. They sure are cute.



So, I'm back in the wonderful state of Washington, getting re-acclimated to the weather, my surroundings, and my old room. Which, I have to say, is kind of odd. Most of it had remained largely un-touched since I last left it. It was almost like stepping back in time.



Coming home has most certainly been a whirlwind of crazy events, full of emotions, and warm-heartedness despite my broken heart. However, I think one of the things that touched me the most was the fact that my beloved kitty, Sphynx, actually remembered me after being separated for almost two years. She has gotten soooo big! Even though my parents have said that she's doing things again that she hasn't done in years...she hasn't changed a bit to me. She's still that wild, crazy, orange kitty I left sadly behind. But we're together again, and that's all that matters.



Well, I'm going to take off for now. But be sure to check back soon. I'll post the pictures and videos of my going away party as soon as I get them from my friends back in Tennessee. There's a crazy story that goes along with that, that I'll have to save for later.

So long from Washington State!

I'm sitting here with my good ol' friend Joe (aka a cup of coffee) enjoying this magnificently, warm, sunny morning. I have a few bumps and bruises that I'm nursing, from yesterday's quest, but I'm no worse for wear. The temps are hovering in the high sixties to low seventies, and not a cloud in the sky. Just like yesterday! I took a picture of the sky just in case you don't believe me.





Anyway, I had the day off yesterday and of course the weather was beautiful, so I couldn't just stay in doors all day long, right? Ergo...my friend Jason and I decided to Carpe Diem it, and go hiking in the woods at a place called the Blue Pool. It was GORGEOUS! God never ceases to astound me with the majestic things He created for us to enjoy. All the different reds, yellows, oranges, and greens of the fall trees made me gape in wonder and snap pictures like crazy. There were even leaves that were so dark red they were almost purple. Here...I'll show you.







My boots definitely got their first good workout. And I'm sure it won't be the last with how much hiking I intend to do once I get back home. My Uggs are now slightly broken in, and need a good cleaning. Jason and I hiked until the sun started to set over Signal Mountain, clammering over rocks and tree roots, creeks, and a carpet of leaves on the ground. But the fresh air was so intoxicating, and I loved every bit of it. Thanks for taking me out there dude! I couldn't have done it without you.











Check back soon, as I will probably be adding more adventures before I leave this state for home. And then the real deal begins. You ain't seen nuthin' yet!

So, I haven't written in a while, because I've been working like crazy for the last week and a half. I literally had no days off between my two jobs, and 49 hours in one week. Sheesh! I was getting kinda concerned that my social life was taking a serious critical dive. So finally, when I had a break Saturday night, my friends and I went to Applebee's. We shared some good laughs and got a little tipsy, and I was in a really good mood despite my recent breakup with my boyfriend of 3 1/2 years. Here's a short clip of my night:

Ryan D... from the 423 drawing a little something special for our regular waitress, Gwen.

Drinks @ Applebee's and Ryan's Drawings

Karen | MySpace Video