Hiking Spruce Railroad Trail- Lake Crescent

It was a beautiful, cloudy, rainy, and cool day so oh course it was perfect weather to go hiking. The destination was visiting Lake Crescent for the first time and hiking the Spruce Railroad Trail. I have drove around this lake several times when traveling to other trails in the Olympic Peninsula. The Spruce Railroad Trail around Lake Crescent was a perfect hike for the overcast morning and afternoon in the Olympic National Park. The weekend we went was during the time Seattle and surrounding areas had high mud-slide alerts because the area had gotten so much rain, making the ground over-saturated with water.

Lake Crescent is the largest lake within the Olympic Mountains and is known for it's crystal-clear waters. In my opinion, there are spots of the lake that are definitely more "crystal-clear' than others, and then in certain spots (i.e. water under the bridge going over the Punchbowl) was a vibrant aquamarine blue color. This variation in the color was most likely due to the cloudy weather. Definitely the highlight of the hike was when we reached the Punchbowl.  During the entire trail, you are covered by moss-covered trees that you may forget that you are hiking Lake Crescent and not in the Hoh Rainforest. While hiking this trail, it really started raining. We definitely got wet and the trail got especially muddy. As we were finishing our hike a lot of people were just beginning their hike so I am sure they enjoyed some mud-sliding during their hike.

Even though we couldn't see the peaks of all the mountains surrounding Lake Crescent because of the overcast; the clouds provided majestic and eerie views during the hike. I would definitely love to go back to this trail on a clear day and hike one of the mountains to be able to see an aerial view of Lake Crescent.

Aerial view of bridge over Punchbowl of Lake Crescent

Bridge over the Punchbowl of Lake Crescent with mountains covered by clouds in the background.

Bridge over Punchbowl

Crystal-blue-clear water of Lake Crescent

The crystal-blue-clear water of Lake Crescent's Punchbowl

The crystal-blue-clear water of Lake Crescent's Punchbowl

The crystal-blue-clear water of Lake Crescent

Mount Storm King

Panoramic of Lake Crescent from the Spruce Railroad Trail

Mountains surrounding Lake Crescent

Mountains surrounding Lake Crescent

Muddy trail

The vast greenness that was present throughout the trail

Me standing in front of Mount Storm King

These trees were scattered throughout the trail. They were two-toned and waxy to the touch. Also another intriguing aspect was that moss did not grow on them. This particular tree was by the bridge.

There was two little waterfalls throughout the trail.

The Dude and The Zen Master

I am part of a book club here in Seattle, but a friend and I also started a duo bookclub. In our duo bookclub, we read thought-provoking non-fiction books, and then discuss them over dinner. One of the most recent books was The Dude and the Zen Master by Jeff Bridges (The Dude) and Bernie Glassman (Zen Master). Jeff Bridges is an actor is best-known for his roles in The Big Lebowski, Crazy Heart, and True Grit. The Dude is his character in movie The Big Lebowski. Bridges and Glassman have been friends for years and this book catalogues their discussions about life and the importance of doing good in a difficult world.

I cannot think of another book that could integrate “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily. Life is but a dream” in it’s text that provokes the reader to have such deep reflections and thoughts; but that is exactly what this book does to the exponential level while still being humorous and enlightening.  The flow of this book doesn’t read as a “novel” but rather the reader feels like they are part of the conversation happening between Bridges and Glassman.

It is definitely an easy and enjoyable read that can be done in about two hours, and those two hours will leave a lasting impression on you as a reader, and possibly your life. My recommendation, watch The Big Lebowski (so it will be fresh in your mind) and then read this riveting book. Here are some of the insights that I found beyond compelling; it may be little difficult for you to decipher the profoundness of some of these quotes without the rest of the context of the book, but I tried my best for you to get a taste of how compelling this book can be for a reader:

•    "Thinking is not the problem. We freeze up because we expect a certain result or because we want things to be perfect. We can get so fixated that we can’t do anything………We get so attached to some end result that we can’t function. We need help just to move on, only life doesn’t wait.” –Glassman
• ·      Plorking= termed coined by Glassman meaning not playing and not working.
• ·      “When you care about perfection, you care about an expectation. But there is also caring for where I am right now, for what’s happening right now.” –Glassman
• ·      “Being alive, you have to do something. Not doing anything is also some kind of action.” –Bridges
• ·      “Be here now. Okay, but I’m not feeling like I’m here right now. I’m feeling like I’ll be here soon.” –Glassman
• · “Be patient; let the circumstances take you there. Go with the wind, and you’re either going to get there or you’ll get somewhere else.” –Glassman
• ·      “We have to own our part in everything because there is nothing that isn’t a part of us.” –Bridges
• ·      “I have lots of hope. Expectation is the bummer; that’s where I get into trouble. As long as hope is without expectation or attachment, there’s no problem.” –Glassman
• ·      On page 200, there is a story that Bernie Glassman tells which happened to a survivor in a Nazi concentration camp that exemplifies the benefits of acts of kindness
•     Glassman mentions that this survivor had a choice in life, he could have love humanity or hated it; and he chose to love humanity even after the hardships he had to go through.
•     The survivor's dying words were “ Where there’s love, there’s no death.”
• ·      On page 210: there is a poem that Bridges talks about called “The Lanyard” by Billy Collins that I really loved.
• ·      Glassman defines marriage “You stand side by side with the other person and you tie the two inside legs together. So now each of you has one leg that’s free and another that‘s tied to the other leg. You’re independent because of your one outside leg, but you’re also tied together.”
• ·      “I’ve got high expectations going in, and those expectations are blown out of the water because something completely more wonderful happens. There’s resistance, a pushing against it, then---BOOM!  A wave breaks. But for that to happen, I have to be ready to experiment with those uncomfortable feelings.”-Bridges
• ·      “No is beautiful. It clears the way for yes.” -Bridges

Hiking Dungeness Spit

There are so many diverse hikes available in the state of Washington; but from my own personal experience, it has been a rarity for me to do a hike that my friends haven’t heard of or done. The most recent hike that no one knew anything about was Dungeness Spit. This trail ended up being one of my favorite experiences so far in the Pacific Northwest.

This hike is outside of the city of Sequim in the Olympic Peninsula. For those that do not know what a spit is, it’s a narrow sandy landform found off of coasts (and is tied to the coast at one end) that develops through a longshore drift. A longshore drift occurs due to waves meeting the beach at an oblique angle, which moves sediment down the beach in a zigzag pattern. The zigzag pattern is best seen at an aerial view of the spit (see pictures below). The Dungeness Spit here in Washington is the longest coastal spit in the continental United States. It protrudes over 5 miles straight into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. At the end of the 5 miles there is a lighthouse that has been keeping guard since 1857. The only way to reach the lighthouse is to hike. Wildlife is abundant with marine life and over 250 species of birds.

Since there is absolutely zero places to “pop a squat” on the spit, we were very thankful that there are restrooms available at the trailhead and at the end (at the lighthouse). The beginning of the trail starts off in forest that descends to the beach. There are overlooks in the forest that you can view the “zigzags” of the spit but the best and unobstructed views are at the end of the spit when you climb to the top of the lighthouse. Once we reached the beach we were rewarded with some of the best beach mountain views I have ever witnessed. It is rare to be able to see all visible peaks of the Olympic Mountains, especially during winter, but that was exactly what greeted us upon our arrival on the beach. Throughout the hike, the mountain views were constantly changing because the clouds and fog were sweeping in (see picture of mountains at the beginning of the trip and the view upon the return trip).

We encountered so much wildlife during this hike: we had ever-curious seals following us, and birds in the air and walking on the beach, and bald eagles sitting on driftwood.  Once we reached the lighthouse, we got to tour the lighthouse and climb the narrow, winding staircase to the top. It is here that you get an unobstructed 360 view of Washington and Canada.  During our visit at the lighthouse we learned that people could pay $350 a week to stay at the lighthouse (and neighboring house) and give tours. The idea that one can “lighthouse-hop” is definitely an intriguing idea for the future to pursue for a vacation.

We began this hike during low-tide but on the way back it was almost the peak of high-tide. The spit is always passable but it was definitely a little rougher on the way back. Remember the entire time you are hiking in sand (gives resistance) and constantly hiking over rocks and driftwood on the beach. In other words, you get a workout during your almost 12 miles of hiking.

This hike consisted of some of the most amazing things I have ever seen and do. Would I do this hike again? Probably not, because the sweeping views were so spectacular that I cannot even comprehend the possibility of topping this whole experience (exception would be spotting whales during their migration). It may not be a hike that people have heard of but is definitely a hike that everyone needs to do. The spit is always passable, even during high tide. We started the hike during the peak of low tide and ended with it at high tide. The hike back from the lighthouse may be a little grueling but with the whole experience you will have no regrets. After all it was the Great Ernest Hemingway that said, “It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”

I took over 200 pictures during this hike. Thank goodness for the digital age of cameras; I cannot even imagine if I had to "shake it like a Polaroid picture" after ever photo taken during this hike. Here are 24 of my favorite photos with captions explaining them. Enjoy!

This is at the beginning of the hike and a view of the Olympic Mountains. The spit's terrain was sand, rocks, grass, and driftwood. 

I love the reflections of the trees and mountains in the water in this photo.

Driftwood window view of the Olympic Mountains

At the base of the mountains on this side of the spit you can see there are houses nestled among them.

The rocks on the beach may have made it a little grueling on the hike back, but I thought they were so beautiful.  Plus I may be guilty of snatching a few of them...which is a definite "no, no" but the little devil on my shoulder told me to do and that is absolutely my defense.

I love this picture because of the colors of the rock and the clouds rolling in at the base of the Olympic Mountains.

This was at low tide. I love the effects of the waves rescinding back into the ocean.

Even at low tide, the waves were booming away.

This piece of driftwood was such a vibrant red color.

It's hard to see but there are eight tiny birds running on the shoreline. Additionally, in this picture you can see how the tide has pushed the rocks up on the beach.

Mountain range view

Lighthouse, also known as "bathroom oasis"

View of the lighthouse

Definitely doing the "bathroom dance" at this point of the hike, but still couldn't resist taking pictures.

The house on the left is where people can stay at for a week and pay $350.

I love this sign "Welcome to Serenity...Reality 5 miles"

This is me sitting on a bench and the mountains that I am looking at in the picture are Canadian....eh :)

Unobstructed view of the "zig zag" of the spit from the top of the lighthouse.

The light of the lighthouse

Zoomed in picture while walking around the lighthouse. That is a bald eagle on the log.

The picture on the top is of the Olympic Mountain Range at the beginning of the trail and the bottom picture is during our return trip. As you can see the fog and clouds almost made the mountains completely disappeared.

This is what the trail looks like as you hike down to the beach/spit.

The spit is such an interesting landform, but definitely a little difficult to describe. Therefore, I thought this combination photo would be helpful. 

This is the view of the spit from one of the overlooks in the forest (beginning of the trail).

Seahawks Superbowl Sunday

I will admit that during the football season you will not find me hunkered down watching football games on Sundays and Mondays. The last Superbowl football game I watched entirely was 2007, when the Chicago Bears were in it (and lost). However, when the Seahawks made it, I knew I would be watching the game on Superbowl Sunday.

Leading up to the game, the city of Seattle supported their beloved Hawks with Hawkietecture by buildings and businesses incorporating and hanging up 12^th man decorations. It seemed like the majority of the United States (excluding Washington) wanted the Broncos to beat the Seahawks in the game.

However, 12 seconds into the game (irony not lost on the 12^th man nation), it looked like the underdogs were making a statement that they were in it to win it. Watching the game at a house party made for a relaxing and optimistic environment because the Seahawks were never behind. When the Seahawks won, it is hard to express the “surreal” moments that came after upon realizing the Seahawks were Superbowl Champions.

We immediately went downtown to soak in and celebrate the victory. Unless you were there it is hard to describe the “sense of community”. Thousands of fans were congregated throughout downtown, especially Pioneer Square (where the stadiums are located).  Police lined the streets and had streets blocked from car traffic because there were so many people downtown that the overflow of people from the sidewalks filled the streets as well. People were running in and out of traffic. People were climbing trees and buildings. Everyone was honking their car horns. Everyone was just elated of what they just witnessed on their televisions and was just soaking in the experience that they were living in the city that won the Superbowl.

Walking to Pioneer Square

Celebrating downtown in Pioneer Square

In Pioneer Square

Celebration in Pioneer Square

Why not drive down the streets with your car doors open?

Then that Wednesday, there was a downtown parade going from the Seattle Center (where the Space Needle is located) down 4^th Avenue to CenturyLink Stadium. All of 4^th Avenue was closed down to traffic. The parade was suppose to start at 11am so I arrived the Seattle Center at 10:30am. The parade ended up starting at 11:30am, and yes there were crowds of people. Some estimated that over 700,000 people showed up for the parade; however, some news sources indicated that the number in attendance was grossly overestimated. Schools allowed students to miss class and people called into work.

Legion of Boom!

Lynch throwing skittles to the crowd

As you can see it was quite a "chilly" morning for a parade

Climbing trees was needed for a "seahawk" eye view

4th Avenue is two blocks ahead, but there were so many people backed up to see the parade that people overflowed onto 5th and 6th Avenue as well.

View of 4th Avenue from inside the Central Library

The magnitude of devotion that Seattle has for the Seahawks can be viewed from outsiders and many as “over-the-top,” “unheard of from other teams that won the Superbowl,” and “annoying” but I challenge you to look at the whole circumstance from a different perspective:  the entertainment business is constantly scrutinized for how much of the news and headlines are filled with celebrities and sports when there are “real” problems worldwide; and I am not disagreeing with that. However, when something good happens, people have the right to celebrate and enjoy themselves. For myself, it was great to witness the whole experience, create memories, and be a part of the city’s history. 

Decorations on 5th Avenue

Decorations in the Lower Queen Anne Starbucks