It burned down and now it’s back

The 59er Diner on Hwy 2 and the junction with road to Fish Lake.
I wonder how long it took to recreate all the 1950s memorabilia?

All to myself

10 wash boarded miles ahead, but everyone is pouring in. Not me. I got the lovelier day to hike.

The spectacular Tucquala Lake meadows

8am and perfect lighting.

Friday night

A good sleep ahead for me.

5.1 miles from the Peggy’s Pond turn-off

Back to the TH. 6pm and my boiling hot solar shower! Bliss for sweaty, salty, dusty, big bitten me.

Time instead to expythe camping at this hanging tarn

On the south side of Cathedral Rock

At their peak. So many microclimates.

Mt Daniels

You can't go back again. Remember only the fun times. Then, make new memories baby girl.

Not fun

I decided I didn't want to see Peggy's Pond this year. I'm alone, it's hot, I'm tired and my knees aren't perfect.

Deep Lake around 1pm

I know it's also spectacularly buggy down there.

Unnamed tarn below Cathedral

Complete with mother copper head duck and 5 ducklings snorkeling in the muddy shallows.

Subalpine show

11:30 approaching Cathedral Rock

Queen bolete

I'd guess it's 12 Oz. Hopefully no bugs. If so, heading for a special meal.

9:30am at Squaw

Lots of mosquitoes though

Found on the trail to Squaw Lake

Meadows in morning light

And no one about!

8am Friday at the TH

Happy to be here

It's been at least 6 years, maybe more.

Thursday night campsite near Tucquala Lake

Hanging baskets at Roses in Eastsound

Welcome lunch before the last 11 miles back to the ferry. 28 miles and 2470' elevation. Narrow hilly roads and fast noisy traffic underscores the reason to ride Lopez instead. But a spectacular day and good company.

Doe Bay

Tea at Doe Bay

Back in Doe Bay after several years

8 miles from Moran

Full on lavender season

$5 in the Orcas Island summer transit bus from the ferry dock to Moran SP

Seems like ages...

...since I was on the Sammamish River Trail after work. My teaching schedule has changed (4 hour class x 4 days, and I have a stupidly full class (30 on my roster) as Summer quarter has a tumble weeds in the street feel, and the students are even flakier than usual. Wish I could text someone daily and tell them, "teacher I'm taking the day off..." it makes my class choppy and iterative, as someone is always absent. So, I'm focusing on student speaking practice and giving the regular class expectations a pass.
It's been almost a month since I did my Cycle Oregon ride in the Willamette Valley, and I'd forgotten how much I rode this route for pre-event conditioning. It feels good to claw back some "me" time.

Can’t be too careful

Accurate but hard to believe

I guess the scenery makes you forget the elevation gain and distances involved.

Saturday night

Back in camp after 14 miles. Miso soup, green tea, dark chocolate and an orange hit the spot.

The only solution to the mosquitoes in this area

They're swarming thick in some places along the Pete Lake trail.

There’s a lot of confusion about distance

At the junction of Pete Lake Trail and the PCT. the miles have been cut out. Obviously the August 2009 Lemah Creek Fire is to blame.

Proof

Not half bad

Definitely worth the 7 miles, and 2330' up from Pete Lake.

More tough succulents

Subalpine flowers

Sweet lunch spot

I'm ravenous at 4350'

Glacier scoured lakes

Getting closer

Birds eye view of the burn

Hummingbird delights

Flowers in the burned over area wow!

Sort of obvious but well...

Horse stopping tree on the PCT

Lemah Creek burn

And the end of the mosquitoes!

Guess I found it

Took 2 tries but OK

As in No footlogs, Swift current knee deep in places

About to cross Lemah Creek. Of course I left my Tevas 2 miles back at the tent

Got it! 7 miles from my tent

7:15am start for Spectacle Lake