Trek for the Treasure - Lighthouse Point

 Hike #5 for Trek for Treasure was Lighthouse Point at Deception Pass.  We had to take our photo with the lighthouse in the background.  The green box in the picture is the lighthouse. That part is very underwhelming.

We hiked from Rosario Beach to Bowman Bay to Lighthouse Point.  It was roughly 4.2 miles. We left in the rain but as soon as we hit Skagit the rain disappeared. Thank goodness! We saw 5 otters. It is fun to walk along the ocean.

Trek for the Treasure - Hike #4

This was our 4th hike in the Trek for Treasure Series. Our hike was near by and more of a hike then the extended walks we have been doing. This hike was a 11 minutes from my son's work. It was a hike I haven't done before but my son had. He had hiked this with his transition class a couple of times. The hike was Stimpson Family Nature Reserve located near Bellingham.  We did manage to take a wrong turn and add about a half mile to our hike which was a morale killer.  We took the Sudden Valley exit instead of the trailhead exit. We figured it out rather quickly when the trail reached its end. But we made up for it by having a sub sandwich afterwards.

Trek Hike #3 - Washington Park

 My son and I are still trekking as Trek for the Treasure. We completed our hike last Saturday. We hiked pretty early as it was along a road that runs through Washington Park in Anacortes Washington . It is closed to cars from 6am to 10am. We completed just before they opened the gates. 

Trek for the Treasure - Hike 2

Our Trek for Treasure Hike 2 was at Padilla Bay Shore Trail.  Of course, it was the hottest weekend of the year. The trail is around the bay and very exposed. We got there early. We started our hike and it was 71 degrees and ended it at 81 degrees. We say lots of trekkers starting early to beat the heat. Later in the day it was in the 100s. I really felt like the Tortoise and my partner was definitely the Hare. Thank goodness for a cool bay breeze.

Trek for the Treasure 2021

Once again my oldest son and I are doing Trek for the Treasure.  The theme this year is "The Quest". Our team name is Tortoise and Hare. I will let you guess who is the Tortoise. A couple weeks ago we did our first hike/walk.  This year they offered a lower intensity hike series. The first hike was a walk and pretty low intensity. I have come to expect a little more. Our whole family went on the hike/walk. We did a little geocaching along the way. The Burlington Dike Trail runs along a frisbee golf area and a large park and the Skagit River. We had to have our picture taken by a hole in a certain tree to qualify for the clue.

Trek for the Treasure 2020

It was a heck of a summer with Covid and quarantine. I did Trek for the Treasure run by United General Hospital a couple years back with my best friend. I was mentioning how much I would like to do again and my oldest son said he would like to do it.

So, we formed the team Yo Ho Pirates with our younger son as alternate crew member. Trek for the Treasure - Legends Never Die was a abbreviated version this year. You took a picture at a designated spot and the puzzle clue was sent to the teams. There were a total of 4 hikes. These were all hikes I have never been on. Interesting enough my best friend and her oldest daughter also formed a team. We both hiked these hikes with our oldest kids.

Somethings that surprised me were how much my older son enjoyed this. He wanted to do this and a bit of this was outside his comfort zone aka long drives and long hikes. It also reinforced to me it isn't how fast you hiked but did you complete it. I also rediscovered I am stronger than I think.

Baker River Trail

Baker River Trail is near Baker Lake. It is about 1 hour and 40 minutes from our home. I went with my oldest son and best friend. None of us had ever hiked this trail. The trail dead ends in a campground along the baker river. I have to say the highlight of this trail is the AMAZING log bridge.

It also had an amazing pit toliet at the campground. It was totally open air. 

Northern State Recreational Area

Abandoned building. Actually had a tree growing out of lower roof

window in abandoned building

Part of the Northern State Recreational Area encompasses some of the former grounds of the Northern State Hospital(mental hospital). The hospital was closed in 1973 and part of the facilities are used for Job Corp and a drug rehab.

Our hike/walk this past week took us on the historical route around the former Northern State Hospital and Grounds. Much of this trail was on paved road. This is the first time me and my family visited. It was about 45 minutes away. The recreation area also includes a large frisbee golf course, covered area, restrooms (closed due to COVID). There are some historical markers.

The buildings of the hospital were designed in a Spanish Revival Style. The actual grounds are quite pretty with big trees and sprawling lawns. The son of the designer of Central Park designed the grounds.

Chapel Stain Glass

Chapel - Didn't realize my youngest had his tongue stuck out

During its early conception the whole hospital was self sufficient with crops, dairy, cattle, and food processing. The original site included 700 acres of farmland. Considered quite progressive at the time sought to give patient vocational skills. The dairy was constructed of concrete by the patients. Most of the farm building have lots of graffiti. I love the cupolas

Dairy

Another local blogger took some pictures in the dairy area - Renee at Little Earthling.

On the creepy scale this is mildly creepy. I wouldn't want to hang around at dark. This was a easy trail. Some spots on trail are crossed by a Frisbee golf course so be on look out. On the Sunday we were there it was quite busy with Frisbee golfers. The course runs somewhat along trail.

More information on Northern State Hospital

Wordy Wednesday

I am on a hiking team with my son and I have decided this is our motto. Our actual team name is Yo Ho Pirates.  We are doing Trek for the Treasure.

Trail Notes - Samish Overlook to Oyster Dome

These are my notes. I am not a great hiker. I am a plus size gal and a slow hiker.

We arrived at the overlook before 12 pm on a Monday. The road up is gravel and pretty rough. The parking lot has 20 spaces or so. We were able to snag one of the last parking spaces. We ate our lunch at one of the picnic tables . This is place they launch hang gliders. There were no hang gliders on that day.  The view was awesome. We were on the trail by 12. The first part was not bad. Then begins the upward climb with long switch backs. These are not like the switch backs to fragrance lake. The switch backs are much longer. We encountered lots of people on the trail. People were wearing masks when they passed people. I had a bandanna and my son had a mask. In some spots trail was quite narrow. We saw a Dad with 2 kids - (2 years old and 4 years old) They made it to the dome but it would make me nervous to take the youngest as he was running and not listening. The dome is basically a cliff.

I stopped numerous times to catch my breath. It was a steady up.

crossing over some water

When we came to the turnoff for the dome it still was 20 more minutes or so for us.

We crossed a stream on rocks. The last was a scramble over some roots. It took us 2 hours to hike to the dome.

On the way back we went Lily lake to Max's Shortcut to the Larry Reed Trail. Max's Shortcut starts out easy with gentle slope.

However the last part is punishing to the calves. I think this way is longer than just returning the way you got up to the Oyster Dome. It was also quite muddy and buggy. I didn't fare so well the last 20 minutes. I lost my lunch. It took us another 2 hours to get back to our car. Even though we stopped much less. This trail was virtually empty. We did meet a mountain biker who said he saw a cougar near the top of the mountain. That was unsettling. I ended up with 25,300 steps for the day.

My son and I thought the view from the parking lot was as good as the view from Oyster Dome. Don't tell those die hard hikers. I think we can cross this off our bucket list.

Made Scrapbook Page in Project Life App

What I Learned This Summer

What I Learned This Summer

I guess my summer is finally winding down. I thought I would share what I learned this summer.  I am linking up with Emily Freeman. Also check out what everyone else learned this summer.

I DID NOT FIND BIGFOOT

I know you are SHOCKED that we didn't have a close encounter with Bigfoot.  My friend and I did a hiking program through a local hospital. It was called Trek for the Treasure.  We did 6 progressively harder hikes that had clues that were to lead us to find Bigfoot.  We looked for the last clue and literally could not find it. It was disappointing and frustrating. I am though super proud of us for doing this.

HANDLING THE HILLS

On our way back from our Trek for Treasure hike #5, I had a long discussion with my husband.  I felt I wasn't handling the hills/mountains in my life very well both literally and figuratively.  I usually pride myself on tackling challenges but I have been frustrated.  My personal summer plans have been derailed. I did not take it well . I am the Queen of Work Arounds but I have been stuck for a bit on the part of the summer that didn't happen for me.

I saw this quote and had a little ah ha moment

When you can't control what's happening,
challenge yourself to control the way you
respond to what's happening.
That is where the power is.

I have long said, " You always have a choice."  I guess I should work on practicing what I preach.

BAND MOM

My youngest son is a trumpet player.  We had a whole lot of music this summer.  He went to Jazz Camp and he is currently at Band Camp for high school.  I love watching him play.  He is so fearless in this part of his life.  I love how he doesn't hold back. I have become a band mom.  Hey, I even got a fortune cookie that involved music.

PODCASTS

Many of  you know I am a big podcast fan.  My favorite from this summer was a 2 part REPLY ALL
on a telephone scam - #102 Long Distance and Long Distance #103  I wish I was like Alex Goldman, kidding.  Would you let a scammer take control of your computer.  Would you visit your scammer in India? Listen to this.  It is SO good

Trek Hike #6 - Cascade Pass Trail

Hike 6 for Trek for the Treasure was Cascade Pass Trail.  We did this hike on Tuesday of this week. Clocking in at 7 miles round trip. This one was a hard one for me with the elevation gain, biting black flies, switchbacks (33+), rock fields. I literally could not do it without my friend. Mrs Epi's prodding and coaching was essential to me making it to the top.  She is an amazing friend. Mrs Epi could of made it in half the time without me.

large rock field on way down mtn
photo by TT

Because I am pretty sure a switchback 16, I really wanted to turn around.  I think as we crossed the last rock field before the top I said to myself, "If the top isn't around the corner I am going to stop here and die." I am a bit dramatic.

I do think think it is one of the prettier hikes we have done.  The view from the top is definitely awe inspiring.

Team Fluffy Squirrels

photo by random stranger

View from Parking Lot
photo by Me

Parking Lot from trail looking down
photo by TT

I guess we missed seeing a bear playing in the snow by an hour.  Mrs Epi was super bummed because that is her life goal. We did see and hear Pikas.  Couldn't get a good picture.  There were lots of chipmunks on the trail.

On the way back to keep my mind off the trail.  I came up with a few hashtags.

#34plusswitchbacks, #notanordinaryday, #fatpeoplehike, #bandwidthexceeded, #mybffrocks, #breakingstereotypes, #unlikelyhikers, #notanotherswitchback, #alittlehelpfrommyfriends, #JesusJuice, #NoPainNoGain, # WhataView, # NOTdead, #Pika, #OnceinaLifeTime, #ReachedmyLimit, #JustMissedaBear, #GETMEoffThisMtn, #dustytrails, #girlwithpoles, #hikersuperhighway, #slowhiker, #EatmyDust

Trek for the Treasure Hike #5 - Lime Kiln

We started out fairly early last Saturday with a large crew.  We even had Stan the dog.  Lime Kiln trail is located outside of Granite Falls.  The trail was cool with lots of little bridges and different terrain. The total mileage is 6.8 miles out and back.

Layout made with Digital Project Life

There are quite a few artifacts near the trail including the kiln.

We found the treasure after the kiln.  It was located by the river.  It was a great chance to give Stan a swim.

Photo by CRR

We only had one minor trail incident involving nettle.  Someone ended up being called, "Nettle Girl". Still no sight of Sasquatch. On the drive to the trail head, we heard a news story which involved a naked man who believed he was Sasquatch and attacked a hunter.

***Saw slug coitus on the trail.  It was a first.  I know TMI for most of my readers but it was pointed out to me.  Sharing is caring.

More details about trek for treasure - beginning, hike 1, hike 2, hike 3, hike 4