Hiker Killed on Rattlsnake Ledge

Those of you who know me, know that I hike this trail at least 3 times a week.  I consider it my "treadmill" and love living so close.  I've seen all kinds of weather up there, and all kinds of people, doing all kinds of things. On sunny weekends this trail is a mob scene with "ants" marching up and down in a constant line. I have a secret route that I take now that avoids the main trail for this very reason (don't tell the Department of Natural Resources :).

Once I witnessed some teens "playing" on the rocky ledges, out of sight, below the observation area.  There is zero margin for error if you lose your footing when you are on the true edge- even worse when you are on the ledges below. Survival of the fittest is a real concept and just because it's a popular hiking trail, does not mean it's Disneyland safe.  Sometimes I think folks get confident with safety in numbers and the concepts that a popular trail must, surely, not lead to a dangerous view point?  Nature is kind to those who respect it.

A couple weeks ago Vil and I were fishing the lake and looking up at the ledge.  I said "In the chronicles of history, I wonder how many people have fallen to their deaths up there."  We talked about some of the idiotic behaviors we've both observed and in passing I said, "If there haven't been any deaths, it will only be a matter of time."  Turning on the news this morning, I couldn't help think of that conversation.

It's a super sad tragedy.  No one deserves to lose their short life that way, in such an amazing place. If there is any good to be found, hopefully word will travel about the dangers and folks will start being a bit more careful- esp. with kids and dogs.. at the top.

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/46555002.html

Memorial Day INSANITY.

The story is long, and warrants it's own page- heck it's own blog.  Technically, it's an old blog of mine I used for posting music, but I figured I'd use it.  Read it when you have time.  It's a long one!  http://tamismauimusic.blogspot.com/

My Motor-Man

I guess it's testosterone or some deep drive inside boys to go fast.  Even when they are little they dream of going fast and of modes of transportation that make them go fast.  My motor-man is just a grown up boy still dreaming of his own rocket.  

Yesterday he got to find out what it was like to fly.  He went to an organized 'track-day' down at a local raceway and rode his Ducati like the wind.  I was impressed with the safety standards they put in place, but the risk is still there (WARNING: parental types.. don't read on) as 4 people crashed yesterday.  Surprisingly no-one got injured.  The gear has protective padding throughout and they have air fences around so you don't usually hit anything hard but still... you are sliding at top speeds.  Additionally, it's so much safer than the roads- no other cars, no gravel, no oil, etc.  

They have 3 classes- Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner.  Vil was in the beginners as it was his first track day.  The Advanced riders get up to speeds of 170-180 mph.  I'm not sure what the intermediate or beginners speeds are, but I can tell you this- they are FAST.  I couldn't believe the beginners would fly like that.  I just stood there watching with my mouth hanging open- in awe.  They each had to pick a number- he chose 714 (see if you can guess why) :).  They had a rest between each heat, so we set up a canopy and hung out until it was his time to go again.

We've had some conversations lately about our dreams and our "bucket lists" (you know.. what we would like to do before we kick-the-bucket).  This was one of his and he has been wanting to do this since he bought that bike several years ago.  Since we aren't getting any younger, we whole-heartedly agreed to support each others dreams.

Trust me, I had a lump in my stomach each time he went out, but I was happy he was having so much fun.  Also, I know he is safe and smart and would error on the side of caution.  My job was to standby, take pictures and cheer him on.  Despite my furrowed-worried brow, I have to say, it was exhilarating to watch.  The day was incident free, warm and perfect for the sport.  

Those of you reading this with little boys- beware... it's hardwired :).

Visitor

We've had a visitor at our feeder lately.  He's a Black-headed Grosbeak- a songbird.  There are lots of them around now and they sing so beautifully on sunny days.  It's such a treat as they live down in Mexico and come up here to breed in the summer months.  I put a thistle mix in the feeder and I suspect that is what they are eating.

Another Bear Encounter....but whose counting?

Recently I made a purchase of a new Marin upright bike with the intention of periodically riding it in to work.  The ride is a beautiful one- mostly on trails with few roadways, and lots of greenery, flowers, and trees.  It's also a fair amount of hills and 26 miles one way, so a great workout t'boot.

I decided to ride my bike to work today as we woke up to a gorgeous, sunny day.  Besides, it was national "ride-your-bike-to-work-day"- another compelling excuse to get out there and push myself.

The way is pretty wooded and I’m always a bit aware of the presence of would-be-bears- esp. on the single track trail which zips down a heavily wooded hill with lots of blind corners.  Still fresh from having last night’s store clinic (Living and Recreating in Bear and Cougar Country) in my head, I realized I should be making noise.  I started warbling along to my iPod while zipping willfully down the hills in the dense, mossy forest. 

 

I made it down the single track with no incident and let my guard down since I was now on the Preston-Snoqualmie Trail (a paved albeit wooded trail used by walkers, rollerbladers and cyclists).  At this point, I stopped, grabbed a Powerbar, turned the iPod up and started cruising.  Headed westbound, that particular trail slopes slightly downhill- so you can really pick up some good speed.  The ride so far had been free of people- no one on the Snoqualmie Trail, no one on the single track, and no one in sight on the Preston-Snoqualmie Trail.   I was enjoying my solitude and the beauty of the area.

 

Roughly 4 minutes after my brief break I picked up speed and rounded a corner where I slammed on my brakes.  In front of me was one of the largest black bears I’ve seen in the valley.  I was way too close and I could tell the bike was confusing him.  My immediate reaction (oddly) was to dismount the bike and quietly back away.  Then I came to my senses and realized that I needed to let him know I was human.  I started talking loudly and letting him know that I was a person and not intending to threaten him.  He stood in the middle of the trail and starred me down.  I continued to back up.  When I felt I was far enough back, I watched to see what he would do.  I positioned my bike in front of me- just in case he charged.  My adrenaline was pumping like crazy and I knew I just had to stand still.  

The irony was rich- the “bear whisperer” nearly hits a bear on her bike- …the day after our store hosted last night's bear clinic.   The funny thing is that I get teased because I see so many bears.  The biologists who were presenting had seen this crazy phenomenon first hand when we went out cougar tracking last summer.  We saw 4 bears- the most they'd ever seen in one day in that particular area.  At one point in the evening last night the biologists mentioned that it was a late bear season this year and they hadn't had too many sightings.  I told her that I had only seen one in our neighborhood this year (I saw one about 1 week ago in our neighborhood at night).  She just shook her head and laughed "do you realize," she said "most people see only one in the wild in their lifetime?"  Also discussed in last night's class was how unlikely bear attacks are in the Northwest.  For a brief moment the thought of a bear attacking me was comical- attacking ME (of all people).  I imagined what it would have been like for the two biologists who taught the class last night (hearing through the grapevine) news of a cyclist attacked by a bear on the Preston-Snoqualmie Trail, and then shaking their heads when they heard who it was.  

Luckily, this was not my day to tangle.  He continued to stare and then after several moments, the big fella seemed to calm down and go from side to side eating grass along the trail.  After a bit he meandered off the trail and I knew I would have to pass by that area on my bike.  I walked forward slowly shouting all sorts of hilarious things “You’re a BIG bear.. please don’t hurt me.. I promise.. I’m a big fan.. you wouldn’t want to hurt someone who really cared about bears would you? Okay BIG guy.. I’m coming through.. yep.. just coming right through here... I'm human.. don't hurt me.. humans ride bikes.. bears don't ride bikes..well, okay maybe circus bears ride bikes.”… etc.  I was babbling senselessly and loudly- pretty much saying whatever came to mind trying to let him know I was there.  I saw him off to the hillside of the trail a distance, still looking my way.  There was no incident- he went his way- I went mine.

 

I crossed the main busy road going into Preston and grabbed the trail on the other side.  After several more miles I came upon 2 piles of bear scat. I wondered if it was his or another bear.  Further down near High Point someone’s garbage had been overturned and scattered around and on the top of the can- like a text book.. was a perfect bear print. 

 

Through the bear encounter I tried to get my cell phone to cooperate.  Because I never take pictures with it and because I was so anxious- I couldn't figure out how to make the camera work.  After I passed the area I snapped a picture of the trail- and a self-portrait of me- happy to be continuing on my way to work- incident free.  

Despite the scare.. it was a great day.  I'll never leave the house to ride to work without my bear pepper spray again.  I was thankful for the situational reminder and the amazing sight of that huge, healthy black bear.

The picture here is looking back after I'd passed the spot where the bear went into the woods.  I was headed down the trail and rounded this corner to find the bear right in the dead center of this trail.

Last night's sunset

Swirling clouds push through the sky compelled by invisible fury

I know this sight will quickly fade, I know these moments hurry.

For sunsets give a transient gift, blush paints sun's curtain call

colossal mountains take their bow, before the rest of all.

Making memories...

Life is short and sweet- so we've been enjoying it as much as possible.  Here are a few pictures from our latest romps.  

Summit hears the words "swimming" and "stick" and starts spinning in circles with excitement. 

This is the "seriously?  another picture?" face from both of them...
Camera antics...
We cruised up Mt. Si this weekend.  Snow still covers parts of the top as you can see by this normally waist high sign.  The trail was mostly snow free though.



Rock climbing in central WA.  Great spot to climb!
V checks out the route...



Enlarge this one to see the climbers at the base of these cliffs (it gives you some perspective).

Bobcat

One of our neighbors caught this beautiful bobcat with his motion sensor camera!  Beautiful, huh?