March Point 10k

I made it out to the March Point 10k again this weekend. This is a favorite Skagit County 10k. I think this was year 20. Thank you to Tesoro and all the volunteers.

We actually went to the Ms-Cardinals game down at SafeCo the night before, which ended with a spectacular walk off homer by Adam Lind. So, for the second week in a row, I did a Saturday morning event after a night down in Seattle.

I ran the first three miles or so but tightened up after that, and had to walk and run. Eventually, the finish line came up.  It was terrific to see many local friends. The race was delayed by a half hour due to a shutdown on I-5.

There must be a rookery of herons near the shoreline that we ran, as I saw a dozen or so perched near each other.  A few eagles were hanging out on pier posts.

July should bring more outdoor adventures. I have a few good hikes in mind, and a few short races on the horizon. Just keeping at it.

Berry Dairy Days Half Marathon

The 2016 Berry Dairy Days Half Marathon is in the books.  For me, the back of the book, but happy to have got out there again.  No pictures this year, but here is a link to pics from a few years back. The course remains the same. (Yes, that's a Zep nod! I got the Led out.)

Lots of rain this year.  I ran and walked in the OR Seattle Sombrero and a Patagonia Houdini. The rain wasn't too cold--it is June--but it vacillated between banana boat rain and aggressive drizzle. Rain in the NW is like paint colors--endless varieties.

The course starts in downtown Burlington, heads out of town by berry fields and rural houses, and then travels for four or five miles on the Skagit River dike, with great views of the river and the valley. The race finishes in downtown Burlington on the Berry Dairy Days parade route. Flat, with a mix of road, gravel, and paths. The race is small, affordable, and near to home. One of my faves.

I went to Seattle the night before for the Crocodile's 25th Anniversary show, and didn't get home until 2:30. Rolled out of bed at 6:30, and did the early start. I ran some, walked some, and finished slow. It was a good workout and I really enjoyed the time outside in the rain. Also, good to see Stan and Jon. Kevin, Keefer, and all the volunteers do a great job with this event. I'll be back.

Sunflower Half Marathon

I returned to the beautiful Okanagan in Central Washington yesterday to run, shuffle, and walk the Sunflower Half Marathon. It was a gorgeous day, which after a while got really hot, reaching 87 degrees, without shade. 

The course is one of the better half marathons you'll find anywhere, at least when the flowers are in bloom. The Sunflower runs have been around for 35+ years, and include a relay and an "iron" or marathon distance. This was the first year for the half marathon distance, which is a point to point jaunt from the Chickadee trailhead to Twisp. I've ran the full marathon and the former 21 mile distance, and I think the half grabs the best section of the route. 

The trail is frequently lined with balsam root sunflowers and violet-blue lupine. Portions of the route are along a plateau, with views of the snow-covered North Cascades in the distance. Views of Patterson Lake and other lakes around the route. Rolling hills of the Okanagan, still green with spring. Sections of the course were burned in recent fires, and are just starting to experience new growth. The finish drops from the plateau back down to the Methow River and Twisp.

There are many runners, between the marathoners, the relay teams, and the half marathoners. The marathoners and half marathoners are bussed to the start, to enable the point-to-point. The altitude is a bit elevated, around 2000 feet. There are some climbs here and there, including a somewhat stiff one about mid-way through the half, after an exchange.

I drove over in the early AM, which isn't too tough from Mount Vernon. My effort was a struggle, as my left leg and shin didn't participate for the first few miles. Then it got hot, and I melt in the sun. I dunked my hat in streams at least three times, but have some bad sun burn today. Still, the distance was short enough that there was no real crisis--just slow times. I also took a bunch of photos.

Great to see friends over there from B'ham and the Okanagan. Great job by MVSTA, as always. The registration was gifted to me by a friend of a friend--thank you friends! Such a wonderful place to visit.

And then there's that North Cascades pass drive. Lots of people were out on the trailheads, with skis, snowshoes, and other gear.  I listened to the Seattle Springsteen concert on the way out and back, which we attended in March. It was an awesome show--Eddie Vedder even showed up. I purchased the cd, and it was pretty cool to hear the whole concert again on the drive. For me, the drive is all part of the journey to visiting the Methow, and so it's part of the memory, and so I mention it here.

Blanchard Mountain - April 2016

I've made it up to Blanchard Mountain to run and hike on the past two weekends. It had been a while, and I was struck by all the changes that have happened up on my local hero hill.

My usual routine is to park at the upper trailhead on the I-5 side.  I head up to the Larry Reed Trail, then the Samish Overlook, and then up to Lilly and Lizard Lake and finish on the Alt-Incline Trail. If you understand this, great. If not, basically I do a loop around the mountain.

The first surprise was the logging on the latter end of the Larry Reed Trail as you approach the Samish Overlook. Trees down, trees down! The trail seems different for a portion.  I saw a woodpecker on the lone tree in a field, which made me think of the Lorax.

The Overlook has more space.  This area has gradually changed over the years, with the addition of a restroom, a paved parking lot, railings for horses, etc. Most notably this time around is the overlook looking out towards Orcas has been improved upon, turned into a park like setting.

The hill formerly known as Kill Bill is now a series of switchbacks. It's still a climb, but the trail is much smoother, and a bit longer, with extended turns. This trail used to be somewhat technical, and a series of three miner's climbs. No more, though it is still a slog to get to the top junction for Oyster Dome-Lilly Lake. The Washington Trails Association, one of my favorite non-profits, has been busy working on the improvements.

I think the most pronounced change is there is an increase in use. Lots more people on the trail. Now, I went mid-day each weekend, which isn't really my M.O., and so perhaps that's why it seemed like more were on the trail. But I don't think so--I think the word is out about Blanchard Mountain. I'd say three to four times as many as I would've seen on a Saturday a few years ago.

It's a great place. The improvements are good, but are hard to embrace, as some of those old routes seem like friends. Change is slow, but the changes over time are significant.

Now, Blanchard is the subject of further conservation discussions and media reports, as the Department of Natural Resources will need to have the timber on the mountain cut unless Olympia acts to protect the area. Reports say $7.7 million is needed.

Hard to imagine that they would cut this area, with so many people using the land for recreation purposes, and in light of the ecological value of the sea to Cascades route here. Also, there's that Pacific Northwest Trail which goes through Blanchard, and is receiving increased attention and appreciation.

In other news, I volunteered at the Tulip Run this weekend. Spring has sprung, and the flowers are blooming. I'm making plans for summer activities. My "Sisyphean" effort to get in better shape continues. Happy to have opportunities to challenge myself.

Maui

Iao Needle in Iao Valley State Park

We had a great trip to Maui a few weeks back. Such a good time. We stayed in Maalaea, which is in between Lahaina and Kihei.  Sea turtles swam in the surf below our condo. I read a couple books, cover to cover.  We had dinner at the justifiably renowned Mama's Fish House, with a view of the surf. We visited the lush, green Iao Valley State Park, and made it to the top of Haleakala, as previously posted. I also hiked through the Acid War Zone out at the Nakalele Blowhole. The Saturday swap meet at the college was a fun morning.

Here are a few pictures with some of the highlights noted. Love Maui, love Hawaii.

Flowers are always blooming in Hawaii

Sea turtle in the surf below our condo

Flower arrangements at the Maui Swap Meet

Sea Turtle near Jaws Beach on the North Shore. Inspiring.

The Polynesian Black Pearl dessert at Mama's Fish House. 
This is a Liliko'i chocolate mousse in a pastry seashell. Do go.

The Nakalele blowhole, on the west end of the island. 

Pretty much had to do the hike called "The Acid War Zone."

Haleakala Crater

Ukuleles for sale

Taro and araimo (a Japanese taro), by the pound. We snacked on taro chips.

Bananas in the front yard

There she blows...

Maalea is windy, but the views are good.

Haleakala National Park

We had the great pleasure of visiting Haleakala National Park on Maui, Hawai'i, last week.  We drove up to the summit parking lot, which is above 10,000 feet altitude. You can see the volcanoes of the Big Island from there, prominently.

We didn't really hike in the crater, though I have on a previous trip, and would have if time permitted. For the runner, I'd recommend having a partner pick up at a lower parking lot, and catch a bit of crater time. I've heard of some folks running all the way down to the Hana side. We also didn't catch the sunrise, which is reputed to be amazing. Haleakala is very much worth the visit, any time of the day. There are big telescopes up top, off limits, but indicative of the star-gazing potential.

Our views were spectacular, with the clouds beneath us, rolling through the valleys. We drove through the clouds, to reach the summit. The rare silversword plant is easy to spot up top. The ground is red lava rock. The views of the valley and ocean are also remarkable.

I'll throw up another post on the other sights of Maui, but I wanted to string a number of photos here, for easy recollection and sharing.

A Few Bird Pictures from Skagit

Pair of Eagles with nest on Fir Island

Eagle nest in the distance, across Wiley Slough, Skagit estuary

Eagle pair from a different angle, Fir Island

 Peregrine falcon, at dusk, Wiley Sough

Trees in water, Skagit estuary

Mount Baker, viewed from the southwest

These pictures were taken a few weeks ago on a Sunday when friends Seth and Naomi came by, and we wandered around the valley a bit during the afternoon. In addition to these, we saw many, many snow geese, trumpeter swans, and an owl in flight. A very nice afternoon, and always good to spend time with friends.