I looked over the park map and found a couple of connecting routes that were referred to as "easy" (and just for clarification, an easy hike is not necessarily an easy bike ride!). Two, in case one was too short or easy. Found a place to park and got myself together and off I went. Fitrst off-road ride since, umm... 1992? With the exception of riding down the driveway at Forestledge a few times, which really doesn't really count. Things started off easy enough, roads for a few hundred feet then the trail goes into the woods, that's when I started wondering if I could still do this.
- Many of you haven't known me for long, so you don't know that for several years I didn't even own a car. I used to commute to work on my bike, from different neighborhoods to different jobs, sometimes taking the bus. At one point I was riding from South Park to the Ballard Locks four times a week. More than that though, was that I rode for fun, too! When I was off work I found trails around Seattle and took trips to do some trail riding, I loved it! Life changed and eventually my bike stayed in storage, neglected with the exception of my occasional loving glances. About a year ago I took it in for service and had it all checked out and lubed up, glad I did. -
I parked at the south end of Cascade Lake near the southern part of Moran State Park and I was off on another adventure! It was a little rough going at first, a narrow trail and lots of corners but I was managing, until I came to a long and steep uphill climb. I knew it was too much so I dismounted and grudgingly started walking. By then I was a bit winded so my concentration was on getting to the top and hoping there wasn't going to be much of this. At the top I started to get on again (I need new toe-clips, couldn't get 'em adjusted for my shoes). Happy to be at the top and annoyed at the fit of my toe-clips I didn't realize where I was until I looked up and saw this...
This field of foxglove was huge, I couldn't even get a vantage point to capture the whole thing, it was just beautiful, and a lovely reward for that frustrating climb.
After that nice surprise I just relaxed and did the best I could as I went along the trails. I'm unfamiliar with the park and trails so I didn't really know what I was going see on this trip. Every turn was a little surprise and climbing got easier and before long I was feeling like my old self (not my currently old self!), zooming up and down and around the corners. It was a perfect time, no other traffic, the temperature was pretty warm but I was mostly in the shaded forest, it was a really nice time.
I came to the point where the two trails crossed and decided to continue on the second trail. I suppose that the name might have given me a clue, but I was really focussed on the joy of being on my bike again and so again I didn't realize where I was going until I came around the corner and saw...
I was on the Cascade Falls trail and what do you know, falls!
The trail continued along the stream, not sure of the name right now, eventually making it to a low spot so I figured I was close to the lake and so nearing the end of my ride.
NOT!!
The next several hundered feet of trail were up and down, steep climbs and lots of roots, it was a fun and nervous-making challenge of my off-road memory, I almost bit it a few times and began to wonder if bring my camera was such a good idea. After a while I was worried that I had missed a turn, the end was not in sight, but there were no other trails on the map (I brought a map! Smart move on my part, otherwise I probably would have panicked and turned back). As we... heh heh, by this time I had started talking to my bike, asking it where we were going, often just saying "What the hell?!"... continued to climb and descend I became more certain we were on the wrong path and had no idea where we would end up. Eventually I saw the lake through the trees and the trail started winding down the slope meeting up with the park road and leading us back to my car. I realized when I saw it that I have a peculiar fondness for my old wagon.
Then I started missing Walter and Orson again.
I loaded my bike... I must come up with a name for him (it's a men's frame, so I guess it must be a him), we've been together for 20years! ...and sat for a bit, very happy with myself, not only did I just complete a challenging ride, I still really love it! Good to know, now the task is to hold onto this enthusiasm. Back to the resort for a shower and food.
More of the splurge! I rewarded myself for my ride with an all out meal at the cafe. There were oysters left from the weekend wedding so I started with a half dozen, nicely shucked by Nathan. They're from Judd Cove on Lopez Island, and we served them with a mignonette (Ellie, did I spell that right?) of champagne vinegar with ginger, lemon and garlic. I added a drop of hot sauce because that's how I like it sometimes, and had a nice glass of Oregon Pinot Gris with them. Next a Caesar Salad, Sarah Lynn's recipe. Baby heads of romaine, quartered and topped with a surprisingly good vegan dressing, fried capers and lots of shavings of yummy Parmesan, a few slices of garlic and olive oil coated crostini on the side. By this time I had switched to a Washington Fume' Blanc. Then there was some confusion in the kitchen and I had to help out by eating another order of oysters! Hey, just doing my part!
(my apologies to Abigael, this is not the most flattering of pictures, but Nathan looks charming don't you think? He's holding my oysters!)
For my entree I decided to try the special, again, some product left over after the wedding, trout. Abigael dredged them, whole and de-boned in spiced and seasoned cornmeal, stuffed them with gremolata (sort of a pesto made with parsley, lemon, garlic and herbs), pan-fried them in some browned butter (one of the mainstays in our kitchen, it's good stuff!) and finished them in the oven. Served on a pile of creamy, smoked grits (I want a smoker now!) with a creamy roasted red pepper sauce, and another glass of Fume'. By this time I'm wishing my girlfriend were here to share this day with me, 'cause it's a damn good one! Well I guess it's something I can share with her when she comes along...
Tonight though, instead of a girlfriend I'll have a piece of Abigael's amazing Peach Cobbler. Oh man! It is the scrumptious-est thing you can place on your tongue, just kind melts and the flavors fill your mouth and you think,"Why do we have to eat anything else?" A half cup of coffee and I'm ready to turn in. Almost.
Decided to go to the water's edge and blog a little, turns into a lot and after a while, as pretty as it is, I was getting cold and had to pee, but then I heard a voice, kind of familiar, but with my screen open I couldn't see who was there. As I folded it down I heard her say "Hey Lance, it's Starfruit." We visited for a bit, she was having a rough night until she got to the shoreside and realized how small her problems really were. She came down to do some meditating, a very interesting young woman (and before you ask, no, she does not become the girlfriend I was wondering about at dinner). She recently stopped me, saying, "Hey Lance, I understand you're the Yoga Guru? I'd really like to practice with you!" Of course I'm not that advanced, but I do need to start working with people in order to get certification, so, Hooray! A chance to instruct, and with a very easy-going student. I am also thinking about offering free classes to the staff.
Okay, that's a few good posts, it's getting cold, so I'm off to tent.
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