Hiking
I haven't had many opportunities to properly hike since childhood. Today I hiked nine miles round trip, half of that up a respectably steep slope. (3700 feet elevation gain. I like the parts that are steep and then flat, steep then flat. My dad likes the constant, unending and even slope. I hated that part.) The other half coming down. Lots of flowers*, lots of gorgeous views**, and pretty soon, lots of pain. I feel my legs turning to cement even now.
(Twas the Upper Big Quilcene, btw.
*Seriously, lots of flowers. I grew up with a book of Olympic Peninsula wildflowers, and I suspect I saw the majority of those flowers today, even some of the weird ones like Ghost Plant.
**Lots of people too, though they didn't bug me too much. I walked down all alone while my dad and company went on to Marmot Pass. I only passed a few people who got started too late in the day.
(Twas the Upper Big Quilcene, btw.
*Seriously, lots of flowers. I grew up with a book of Olympic Peninsula wildflowers, and I suspect I saw the majority of those flowers today, even some of the weird ones like Ghost Plant.
**Lots of people too, though they didn't bug me too much. I walked down all alone while my dad and company went on to Marmot Pass. I only passed a few people who got started too late in the day.