Swamp Frog Symphony: Liberty Lake Loop

I wen't on a hike last Saturday with Roby up at Liberty Lake. I brought my new REI Flash 30 pack, and of course my camera. 5 minutes into the hike we come to the marsh at the end of the lake. I know when it's just around the bend because the frogs are always going crazy. A frog symphony if you will, and yet I cannot ever seem to spot a single performer.

I peruse the waters edge squinty-eyed and diligent in my quest, and even though there must be hundreds of the little Kermits croaking the day away mere feet from myself, I can't find a one. But the early Spring scenery is a breath of fresh air from the cold gray winter, and momentarily inspired I pull my camera from its case and line up the perfect shot. Well, maybe not perfect. This Saturday happens to be the prettiest day we've had for weeks. The rains have taken a break, and the sun has resumed its rightful place as king of the sky and provider of beautiful Spring days. As such the trail is busy today. I don't have time to take the perfect shot because the two cute college girls in Gonzaga shirts and North Face soft shells are closing in fast, and behind them an army of Boy Scouts are on the march. Quickly, but carefully, I find the shot I want, and when I press the shutter button all the way down I get a flashing message in bold red letters reading, "No SD Card Inserted". Damn. So much for that plan.

Of course, this happens to be the day that Roby and I notice a dozen other "perfect" shots. A woman on horseback crossing Liberty Creek, the last vestiges of ice holding on to the bottom of a fallen fir tree, a mushroom so gargantuan that people have actually signed it, a huge stump of burlwood that looks like something out of a Tim Burton movie. I took a couple shots with the phone but it's not the same. The only one that turned out okay was Roby wringing out his socks after I led him through a swamp and his feet got soaked. I couldn't help but cracking up laughing the entire time. I felt bad, but it was just so damn funny!

Next week is our big trip to the Olympic coast. I am beside myself with excitement. I have been

obsessing about backpacking since the Fall and am anxious to finally hit the trail. I have found someone to shuttle us for $150.00 big ones. His name is Willie Nelson, and yes, he looks just like Willie Nelson the country singer. Luke's knee is feeling better, which is really good news. This weekend we are going backpacking at the headwaters of the Coeur d' Alene River to test out Luke's knee, and some of our new gear. If he can do this 14 miles he can do 23 on the coast. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

For your reading pleasure...

Not that anyone reads this thing. But if you do, and are vaguely interested in anything I've said thus far, why not explore a whole new world of blogging entertainment and check out my archives of the last 5 years? All the usual topics are covered including a few that might be new to you. Such as being attacked by fire ants, drunken poetry, bad college newspaper editorials, blimping around the country, and a bunch more fun stuff.

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll

Olympic Coast Backpacking

One more month until my Olympic coast adventure. 4 days and 3 nights in Olympic National Park on the wildest (and most beautiful) coast in the lower 48 states. Me, Luke, Steve and Steve, into the wild. I have been planning this trip since November and it hasn't been simple.

I have never backpacked on an ocean beach before, and I have heard that the changing tide can cause a lot of problems for people. For one, a high tide can bring your progress to a complete halt if your route is blocked by water. Worse, if you are caught in the high tide with no means to escape to higher ground, you can be swept out to sea. So I bought a "Custom Correct" map which shows me every point on the coast that will be impassible at high tide, and any possible alternate routes. Coupled with a "Tide Table" that actually predicts the changing tide, I am confident we will overcome. From what I gather, it will simply be a race against time. In other words, we will have to race to the locations that are impassable at high tide in order to beat the tide.

The weather is another major concern. The Olympic peninsula is the wettest location in the United States. April is the wettest month. We will be in the rainiest place during the rainiest time. Should be interesting. I have taken, I believe, every necessary precaution. Waterproof (but breathable) jacket and pants, boots and gators, and a pack cover. I have even bought waterproof stuff sacks for my gear. My biggest concern in this regard is my new camera. It is a big SLR with a big lens. Figuring out how to pack it, and how to keep it dry will be challenging.

In camp our biggest concern will be the wildlife. It seems that the raccoons living at the forest edge on the coast are ultra-aggressive. They will steal your food and ransack your gear if you are not paying attention. The park is also full of black bears, who are notorious food thieves. As a result the park requires all backcountry campers to carry bear canisters. I have never seen one in person but from the pictures they look like large hard-plastic can like cylinders. All food must be stored in the canisters at all times. We have to pick them up at the ranger station, and as of now we aren't sure how many we will need for 4 people, or how we will pack them.

Our last problem that we still haven't actually solved yet, is how we will be shuttled from trailhead to trail's end. The route goes from south to north straight up the coast for about 20 miles and then cuts almost due east another three miles to the Ozette Lake ranger station, which will still be closed during our trip. I had planned on using a shuttle service that would allow us to drop the truck off at the trail's end, and drop us off at the trailhead. Sadly, I learned that the woman who ran the shuttle service has passed away, and as of this writing (as far as I know) there is no shuttle service at all along the coast. I guess we will have to simply call a cab at the nearest town which I think is Port Angeles and hope they will drive into the park. I am really keeping my fingers crossed on this one.

These and a slew of smaller issues such as catching a ferry across the sound, picking Steve Keller up in Port Townsend, the long drive there and back, and the dozens of other intangibles, should make for one hell of a trip. I have geared up and kept fit by hiking all winter long, so I am ready. I say, "bring it on." I know it will be the trip of a lifetime.

I think I'm in Love

I think I'm in love. I've heard the word before, but the meaning always escaped me. Gallivant is her name.... It is possible, however difficult to fall for a word. I hope we will be happy, although I worry it is still too soon, Repose and I being so recently seperated. In the end Repose could not make good on so many promises. The wise Gallivant promises nothing.

Prostates

I don't know if it's because I'm getting old, but in the last month it seems like every night I'm waking up at some ungodly hour to go pee. I'm sure it's only because I drink a crazy amount of water during the course of my day, but I can't help but think about that damn drug advertisment on tv that says frequent peeing at night is a sign of an enlarged prostate.

I hate drug commercials.