Trying to embrace the final days of summer in the Pacific Northwest, my hiking buddy and I headed up to Mt. Pilchuck for our second hike of the season (we're busy girls, hard to get much hiking time into one very short summer season in the PNW). I had plans on Saturday, so we went on Sunday. I loaded my day pack with all the necessary equipment, the all important lunch, Swiss army knife, sun screen, loads of water, and a couple extra layers for warmth in case it got chilly later. I stepped out into the morning sun and caught the bus up to Bothell to meet my friend.
Donning sunglasses and flip flops (hiking boots in the pack), it never occurred to me that the weather would be any different. After all, Saturday was sunny and in the 80's, the perfect August day.
Mt Pilchuck's 2100 foot elevation gain is a much easier hike than Mt Si's 3700 foot elevation gain. The guidebook describes it as a gradual climb, "no more difficult than climbing your stairs at home." Yeah, all 3 miles up. My four story walk up to my apartment barely prepared me for the rock scrambling climb. I wouldn't exactly say it was the 'grandma hike' the guidebook practically described, but I definitely was able to keep up with my friend this time and got a plenty good workout.
The last bit was the toughest. Some descending climber made the comment as he passed by "you're almost there!" Unless that lookout tower is around the very next bend, I don't want to hear the phrase, "you're almost there." Like telling a child in the car that you're almost there, you don't do it until you're pulling into the driveway. The "false summit" is the worst.
By the time we reached the top, scrambling over the boulders, the rain drops began to fall. Rain drops? Are you kidding me? It was totally sunny with stellar views just a few short steps below. The wind suddenly picked up, rain drops became bigger and more dense and I swear I felt snow flakes as we monkeyed our way up the slick, metal ladder to the lookout tower. Apparently, I was clearly the only hiker who failed to check the weather report before setting out for a day hike. I quickly climbed into my layers of long-sleeved warmth, while everyone else slid into their rain gear. Yeah, I had weather amnesia. Two whole days of sunshine and I forgot where I lived. August 24th. Only those of us in Seattle, and maybe Alaska, would think of the possibility of rain-cold rain- on August 24th.
We grazed on our lunches, luckily under the shelter of the lookout tower, took in the foggy socked in views and began our descent down the mountain. Down the mountain is always trickier than up. No one ever admits this. No one ever talks about it. But going down, for me, is actually more difficult. A prior foot injury and knee surgery makes going down more work. At one point I actually had to stop part way, remove my boot, and wait for the pain to subside under the dry protection of a tree branch. I told my partner to go ahead, don't wait, I'll be fine. This is normal for me. She looked at me drenched in her rain slicker. Unsure of what to do. I waved her off. She turned and continued onward. Not two minutes passed when I looked up and saw her coming back toward me trudging through the rain and mud. "I can't just leave you here in the hopes you make it down eventually!" she says. Awww, what a friend. On a trail as populated as that one, I'm sure I would have found some kind soul to assist me if necessary. However, nice to know what a great friend, and hiking buddy, she makes. Note to self: invest in hiking poles.
When choosing the trail for this weekend's hike, she had suggested Mt. Pilchuck or Mailbox Peak. Mailbox Peak? Mailbox Peak is a grind. At 4000 foot elevation gain, I swear it begins straight out of the parking lot. You step out of your car and start UP and it just keeps going, without any views what-so-ever, until you finally reach the top. At such point the views are incredible. I think you can see Kansas or something. I did Mailbox when I was in my hiking (and fitness) prime, twice even. I'm in no way ready for Mailbox today. Maybe with a few more hikes under my belt this year, I'll be ready for Mailbox before winter. We'll see.
As for today, I went to yoga to give my rubbery legs a good stretching and cool down from yesterday's workout. Hurray for yoga.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Slump
I've been in a bit of a slump lately. Not that I haven't got plenty of blog material. It's there. Or here (I'm pointing at my head right now), but I can't seem to sit down and put it down on this virtual paper.
Plus I'm such a crab apple these days. You know how you get down to the last week of work when you're about to leave a job and it just gets unbearably brutal? That's where I am these days. One week left. I'm so over it, yet there is still another full week of nonsense to plow through. I'm close enough to see the finish line, but not close enough to be totally victorious yet.
What else might be making me a bit crabby is the fact that it's almost FALL and I have no plan. However, I've never actually had much of a plan-ever- so why is that just now making me crabby? Probably because everyone keeps asking me for the plan. Like I would actually have a clue about what I was up to. Don't these people know who they are dealing with? It's ME. You know. The one who continually operates without plan!
Check in over the weekend. I'll post again soon, with a more upbeat and humorous bit. I'm sure I'll be out of my slump in, oh, about 45 minutes.
Plus I'm such a crab apple these days. You know how you get down to the last week of work when you're about to leave a job and it just gets unbearably brutal? That's where I am these days. One week left. I'm so over it, yet there is still another full week of nonsense to plow through. I'm close enough to see the finish line, but not close enough to be totally victorious yet.
What else might be making me a bit crabby is the fact that it's almost FALL and I have no plan. However, I've never actually had much of a plan-ever- so why is that just now making me crabby? Probably because everyone keeps asking me for the plan. Like I would actually have a clue about what I was up to. Don't these people know who they are dealing with? It's ME. You know. The one who continually operates without plan!
Check in over the weekend. I'll post again soon, with a more upbeat and humorous bit. I'm sure I'll be out of my slump in, oh, about 45 minutes.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Fly the Friendly Skies...or Just Walk
Besides becoming ridiculously expensive, air travel has become down right exhausting. It used to be fun to travel by air. You'd go to the airport and after check in, zip through security and head to the bar to have a celebratory cocktail to kick off the start of your tropical vacation. Once on the aircraft you'd hunker down with your 5 x 7 inch foam puff called a pillow and scratchy, yet, warmish blanket. A meal was served, the flight attendants were pleasant, cheerful even. You'd reach your destination and retrieve your luggage from baggage claim and be merrily on your way.
Today's scenario is much more grim. First of all, just getting through security involves the patience of Jobe. Wearing flip flops, no belt, no jewelry, and removing your fillings beforehand will speed things up. Rather than one of those plastic bins, I seem to require three plus the plastic dish for my bracelets, rings and hair clip. By the time you remove your shoes, remove your laptop, don't let your laptop case touch your laptop, make sure everything is flat, your purse is in a separate bin, your cardigan sweater is removed, you realize there is no time for that relaxing pre-flight cocktail!
You walk through the security pass thru, practically naked by now, and rush to gather your belongings while the other bins from those behind you are crashing into yours and you are attempting to stuff your feet into your shoes and put your belt on at the same time to get out of the way and keep the line moving.
The poor airline industry is suffering and we, the consumers, suffer the most. Over the past three weeks I've had the pleasure of working with four different airlines.
United Airlines. At work, our Cypriot participants flew in from Cyprus on United. They came in two groups, one flew in from Turkey, the others directly from Cyprus. The first group were due in on a Sunday evening, however, their flight was cancelled from Chicago to Seattle via Las Vegas. Just cancelled. Not delayed. Not postponed. Just flat out cancelled. Our two Turkish Cypriots, one of them disabled, were on their own in Chicago to figure out how to get to Seattle. They finally arrived at 1.00 a.m. Monday morning. The second group, a group of 17, were due to arrive on Monday afternoon at 2.30 p.m. We received a call in our office at 10.00 a.m. that their flight had been cancelled. Not delayed. Not postponed. Just flat out cancelled.
Apparently, the crew were over their flight hours and there were no backup crew members available. Was this scheduled flight a surprise? Did someone completely forget to book crew for an entire plane? The airlines suggested they keep the group on standby and get them onto planes as seats became available. The agent actually said that with other delays from other cities, it's probable that many people will miss their connections and our participants can get those seats...if they are, in fact, available. That sounds ideal. Have our group sit in the airport endlessly awaiting the possibility of a seat or two here or there as they may or may not arise. And what are we suppose to do here in Seattle? Drive back and forth to the airport several times throughout the day fetching these folks and getting them to their hotel? No, no. Unacceptable. The solution was, of course, to keep the group together and get them on the next available flight. This turned out to be the following day. They arrived on Tuesday night at 8.30. They lost an entire day of their scheduled program in Seattle.
Last week I was in Colorado for my cousin's wedding when his two daughters' flight was cancelled going back to New York. The airlines - United.
Unlike the days of yore where all airlines pretty much offered the same 'perks', today each airline has something different going on. I flew Frontier on my way to the wedding. I'd never flown Frontier before. It was comfortable enough, but no free snacks at all. No cookies, no nuts. We did receive a complimentary beverage, however. And I was still allowed the one checked in piece of luggage.
American Airlines, flown from Denver to DC, made me cough up an extra $15 for my one checked luggage. Of course I had to check it because I had all my lotions, potions, liquids and gels to transport. I also was traveling for work and play so already had a laptop and tote to carry on. Once on the plane, pillows and blankets (thin, felt, fabric thingy- but who's going to complain? At least I got one.) were provided, as well as a complimentary beverage. No little screens were installed on the back of the seats and no movie offered.
Because of the luggage fee, every passenger drags on every bit of luggage and attempts to stuff it under the seat, overhead, on their laps, in the front pouches of their seats, you name it. How, exactly, is this checked luggage fee saving the weight on the plane? Are they unaware of the fact that the weight is still on the plane? And by the looks of some of my fellow passengers it appears that if I just ate my luggage, I could avoid paying any excess charges. As far as the baggage crew, do they think they are saving on manpower costs to put the luggage on the plane? Wait until the surge of L&I claims come flooding in because the on board crew are forced to help the passengers wrestle with their heavy carry ons in the overhead compartments!
From DC to Seattle it was Jet Blue. Jet Blue has the cushiest, roomiest seats of all of them. They boast the most legroom of any airlines. I think they might be right. The passengers wedged in the window and center seats could actually exit the row without the aisle guy having to get up! They did offer a variety of snacks including chips, cookies, animal crackers, nuts, trail mix and some stuff I can't remember because the list was actually quite long. However, you had to pay $7.00 for a blanket and another fee for a pillow-like object. The headsets for the individual little personal screens cost $1.00, payable 'on your honor' at the gate. Oh, and they didn't charge for my one checked bag.
I guess the little differences keep you on your travel toes. You need to pack snacks, a pillow and blanket. Travel light and only take a carry on (buy your lotions and potions at your destination). Soon we're going to be hauling our own luggage down into the belly of the plane and retrieving it ourselves. Actually, that might not be such a bad idea. At least we'd be assured of getting it upon arrival!
As for the crews, it seems they are getting older, wider and crabbier yet doing less. Hell, if I didn't have to feed 300 passengers a crap meal, hand out blankets, pillows and snacks, I think I'd be in a better mood. But that's just me.
With air travel being what it is, it might not be a bad idea to promote hitch hiking again. It made more sense. Share the gas, meet interesting new people, see the countryside, plenty of drive-thrus when hungry or thirsty, rest stops for potty breaks. Chances are, you'd get where you're going a lot faster with a lot less hassle.
Today's scenario is much more grim. First of all, just getting through security involves the patience of Jobe. Wearing flip flops, no belt, no jewelry, and removing your fillings beforehand will speed things up. Rather than one of those plastic bins, I seem to require three plus the plastic dish for my bracelets, rings and hair clip. By the time you remove your shoes, remove your laptop, don't let your laptop case touch your laptop, make sure everything is flat, your purse is in a separate bin, your cardigan sweater is removed, you realize there is no time for that relaxing pre-flight cocktail!
You walk through the security pass thru, practically naked by now, and rush to gather your belongings while the other bins from those behind you are crashing into yours and you are attempting to stuff your feet into your shoes and put your belt on at the same time to get out of the way and keep the line moving.
The poor airline industry is suffering and we, the consumers, suffer the most. Over the past three weeks I've had the pleasure of working with four different airlines.
United Airlines. At work, our Cypriot participants flew in from Cyprus on United. They came in two groups, one flew in from Turkey, the others directly from Cyprus. The first group were due in on a Sunday evening, however, their flight was cancelled from Chicago to Seattle via Las Vegas. Just cancelled. Not delayed. Not postponed. Just flat out cancelled. Our two Turkish Cypriots, one of them disabled, were on their own in Chicago to figure out how to get to Seattle. They finally arrived at 1.00 a.m. Monday morning. The second group, a group of 17, were due to arrive on Monday afternoon at 2.30 p.m. We received a call in our office at 10.00 a.m. that their flight had been cancelled. Not delayed. Not postponed. Just flat out cancelled.
Apparently, the crew were over their flight hours and there were no backup crew members available. Was this scheduled flight a surprise? Did someone completely forget to book crew for an entire plane? The airlines suggested they keep the group on standby and get them onto planes as seats became available. The agent actually said that with other delays from other cities, it's probable that many people will miss their connections and our participants can get those seats...if they are, in fact, available. That sounds ideal. Have our group sit in the airport endlessly awaiting the possibility of a seat or two here or there as they may or may not arise. And what are we suppose to do here in Seattle? Drive back and forth to the airport several times throughout the day fetching these folks and getting them to their hotel? No, no. Unacceptable. The solution was, of course, to keep the group together and get them on the next available flight. This turned out to be the following day. They arrived on Tuesday night at 8.30. They lost an entire day of their scheduled program in Seattle.
Last week I was in Colorado for my cousin's wedding when his two daughters' flight was cancelled going back to New York. The airlines - United.
Unlike the days of yore where all airlines pretty much offered the same 'perks', today each airline has something different going on. I flew Frontier on my way to the wedding. I'd never flown Frontier before. It was comfortable enough, but no free snacks at all. No cookies, no nuts. We did receive a complimentary beverage, however. And I was still allowed the one checked in piece of luggage.
American Airlines, flown from Denver to DC, made me cough up an extra $15 for my one checked luggage. Of course I had to check it because I had all my lotions, potions, liquids and gels to transport. I also was traveling for work and play so already had a laptop and tote to carry on. Once on the plane, pillows and blankets (thin, felt, fabric thingy- but who's going to complain? At least I got one.) were provided, as well as a complimentary beverage. No little screens were installed on the back of the seats and no movie offered.
Because of the luggage fee, every passenger drags on every bit of luggage and attempts to stuff it under the seat, overhead, on their laps, in the front pouches of their seats, you name it. How, exactly, is this checked luggage fee saving the weight on the plane? Are they unaware of the fact that the weight is still on the plane? And by the looks of some of my fellow passengers it appears that if I just ate my luggage, I could avoid paying any excess charges. As far as the baggage crew, do they think they are saving on manpower costs to put the luggage on the plane? Wait until the surge of L&I claims come flooding in because the on board crew are forced to help the passengers wrestle with their heavy carry ons in the overhead compartments!
From DC to Seattle it was Jet Blue. Jet Blue has the cushiest, roomiest seats of all of them. They boast the most legroom of any airlines. I think they might be right. The passengers wedged in the window and center seats could actually exit the row without the aisle guy having to get up! They did offer a variety of snacks including chips, cookies, animal crackers, nuts, trail mix and some stuff I can't remember because the list was actually quite long. However, you had to pay $7.00 for a blanket and another fee for a pillow-like object. The headsets for the individual little personal screens cost $1.00, payable 'on your honor' at the gate. Oh, and they didn't charge for my one checked bag.
I guess the little differences keep you on your travel toes. You need to pack snacks, a pillow and blanket. Travel light and only take a carry on (buy your lotions and potions at your destination). Soon we're going to be hauling our own luggage down into the belly of the plane and retrieving it ourselves. Actually, that might not be such a bad idea. At least we'd be assured of getting it upon arrival!
As for the crews, it seems they are getting older, wider and crabbier yet doing less. Hell, if I didn't have to feed 300 passengers a crap meal, hand out blankets, pillows and snacks, I think I'd be in a better mood. But that's just me.
With air travel being what it is, it might not be a bad idea to promote hitch hiking again. It made more sense. Share the gas, meet interesting new people, see the countryside, plenty of drive-thrus when hungry or thirsty, rest stops for potty breaks. Chances are, you'd get where you're going a lot faster with a lot less hassle.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Still Celebrating
After being gone for the past ten days, I opened my stuffed mailbox to find several birthday cards mixed in between the bills, the ads and the junk mail. What a nice treat! There is nothing better than personal mail. And it's like celebrating my birthday all over again.
Then I received a voice message from another friend who wants to take me out for my birthday since she was busy that day. I'm also going to dinner this week with my sister-in-law to celebrate both of our birthdays since hers was six days after mine and I was out of town. Okay, this is more of a celebration for her than me-but it's still a birthday celebration.
When I came home from the grocery store today my apartment manager left a package for me. Said it was delivered while I was gone. It was from my friend who recently moved back to Tennessee and consisted of several wonderful body pampering products which I love! I'm such a product girl. What a surprise! She shouldn't have sent so much- but I will definitely enjoy all of them.
Someone once told me of a woman she knew who celebrates her birthday for the exact number of days representing the number of years she is celebrating. Doing the math we are now on day 15, that leaves me with a lot of days left to celebrate. But why stop there?
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