One week into the governor's imposed "self-quarentine" and we haven't killed each other yet. Today we got the news that we have 48 hours until a strict 'stay-at-home' directive is in place in Washington State. I don't really know how that will change things beyond what we are already doing (no school/work, non-essential medical procedures cancelled, no social life whatsoever).
Two days before the toilet paper craziness began, I purchased TP from Costco because we were down to two rolls. I never felt the frenzy urgency to buy it, but now, just the idea of possibly running out is gnawing at the back of my mind. On a positive note four bags of my favorite coffee arrived in the mail today, so my kids are safe!
The past week has taught me not to take ANYTHING for granted. One day you are greeting your little students first thing in the morning with a smile and a hug, the next day you are told not to hug anyone! This is torture for me. I come from a long line of huggers. From my immediate family, including my Nana to my Aunts, Uncles, cousins, Great-Aunts, Great-Uncles, third cousins you rarely see, cousin-in-laws, friends that are like family, friends of friends, people you see on the regular, I hug them all! Now, to simply walk away with a smile and a nod is just so against my MO. Here's an interesting fact about me though, if you know anything about the five love languages...mine is definitely NOT affection. I can't explain the hug thing...but it is what it is.
I went to the grocery store today to get eggs because I started making cinnamon scones when I realized I was out. I was saddened by the atmosphere in the store. People seemed to fear one another, nobody made eye contact anymore and they were careful to keep their distance (which is good at this time, don't get me wrong). But the palpable vibe of fear was what worried me, everyone seemed to look at one another in a skeptical way. I long for the days when life goes back to normal.
One rule I've had to implement for the kids is, 'You get three meals and an afternoon snack a day, that's it.' If I didn't, their five mouths would eat through our food supply like hungry termites in a rotting woodpile. That being said, I still feel like my days go like this: wake up, make coffee (everyone makes their own breakfast), clean the kitchen, do something for awhile, make lunch, clean the kitchen, say 'no' to more food, do something else, tell the kids what they may have for snack, do something or take a nap, make dinner, clean the kitchen again, do a few things, pray the Rosary, go to bed...wake up, repeat.
Is it bad that I want to be called out on a search? It would provide me a chance to see my ESAR family whom I miss.
“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.” -John Muir
"Immediately we were in awe of the beauty around us..." This was the first line of my journal that I wrote in each day while on the Wonderland Trail. I read those words, in awe of, and it reminds me once again of the vast magnitude of Mt. Rainier's presence. When someone is in awe of something you usually think they are seeing it for the first time, but for me, the Mountain being my favorite place, is somewhere we go frequently from late May to early October. No matter how many times I view the mountain from Sunrise, however, I am always and always will be in awe.
We waved goodbye to Mom and Dad by 6:45 am on July 27, 2013 after taking a few goofy "Pre-Hike" pictures:
So much about this picture makes me laugh. Feel free to nominate me for 'What Not To Wear'.
Heading down the street, we stopped briefly at our Nana's house to leave her a card and a vase full of flowers on her doorstep. I felt I owed a lot to her and in my heart I dedicated this whole journey to her. She urged me to train as often as possible and made herself available to me whenever I needed someone to watch the kids. She was interested in every detail of the planning process and wanted to hear all about it as soon as we got back. She would have been there with us if only she was younger, but the whole time, she would be with us in spirit.
We stopped at McDonald's for our last bite of civilization. During the hour and twenty minute ride I remember feeling nauseated and anxious as well as excited. I didn't know if the feelings were brought on from the never-ending winding roads or the overwhelming excitement of the adventure awaiting us (or possibly the greasy fast food that now sat in my gut). Nonetheless, we headed down Hwy 410 and didn't stop until we arrived at our destination: Sunrise Visitor Center, the highest point on Mt. Rainier that you can reach by vehicle. It was our starting point, but first we had to contact a ranger to let them know the vehicle we had previously registered was not the one we would end up leaving in the parking lot. The day before we left my engine light came on in my van and I didn't feel comfortable driving it the forty uphill miles to the mountain, so Emily drove us in her VW Bug. That issue took longer than desired to clear up, but soon we were pointed in the right direction and hiking the half-mile trek that led to the Wonderland Trail. It was 9:30 am and this was the first thing we saw:
The day could not have been more beautiful. It was sunny and clear, free from any haze that would obscure the amazing glacial details you can see from our starting point. The buzz on the trail from other hikers was that a couple of bears were up-trail less than half a mile "if we wanted to go see them". We thanked them for the info and continued in the southward direction we intended to take. There was no desire to see a bear just yet, and even more we were just anxious to reach the Wonderland Trail. Being a circular trail, you can head either clockwise or counter clockwise around the mountain, we took the clockwise direction once we reached the trail head.
The soothing sound of rushing water grew louder and louder as the scenery changed from alpine meadows to alpine forests to low alpine forests with many old growth trees strewn here and there. The hiking was all downhill and easy the first three miles to White River Campground and it went by very quickly. When we reached the campground we found a picnic table and stopped for lunch.
Favorite trail food (at White River Campground)
All nerves and uneasiness that I felt when we got there were now gone and we were thoroughly enjoying the day. Before we left White River (caution: TMI coming up) we made sure to use the last flushing toilet we would see in over a week. Trying to leave the campground and find our way back to the Wonderland Trail was difficult as the signs were a bit misleading (but then, maybe they weren't, neither of us have ever been known to be very good at directions). Once found, however, it led to a gorgeous view of Mt. Rainier and the log bridge that crossed the roaring and silty White River.
Coming out of the forest past W.R. Campground, this is what we saw.
View from White River
Log bridge crossing the White River
White River
The trail beyond the White River was smooth and flat. Once back in the forest the silence was deafening. It seemed like we were the only ones on the mountain. After about 2 miles we began the four mile climb to Summerland where we would camp our first night. We were graced with amazing views of the surrounding mountains, waterfalls and Fryingpan Creek. Before long the trail became steeper and the air was warmer as the forest opened up to meadowland. Absolutely gorgeous views could be seen from every direction. Wildflowers covered the grassy ground that crowded the trail which became bustling with fellow hikers as we neared camp.
Upon reaching the back country campground we were greeted by a ranger who checked our permit and pointed out which way to go and what camps were still open. We decided to stay at site #3 which had great views of Mt. Rainier summit and Emmons glacier.
Despite having practiced setting up our tent at home with no problems, it seemed to take us forever to set it up after we plopped our heavy packs on the ground and rested on a nearby log (which would be our only place to sit other than the ground itself). After we finally got our sleeping arrangement settled, it was time to hang our food on the bear poles, which proved to be more difficult than it looked:
After a hot meal before bedtime (which, on the mountain got earlier and earlier with each days' added exhaustion) we fell fast asleep....excited for the day ahead of us.
Now that everything that was out of my control fell into place, it was time to take care of the things that WERE in my control. It was time to make lists (and purchases) and begin checking those lists off. It was also time to train this flaccid body of mine to walk many hours of mountainous terrain with a heavy pack on my back. Both checking off the lists and the training took time.
I was able to make most of the big purchases; my tent, sleeping bag and backpack shortly after I got my tax return. Many of the other purchases were made after great lessons in patience and hard work. I resolved to get something I needed with each paycheck. It was difficult watching the annual REI Garage Sale come and go without having money to buy some of the things I needed, even at such great discounts. By and by, however, I was beginning to look like I knew what I was doing.
At one such trip to REI, Emily and I were shopping for our backpacks. The sales reps sized us and helped us to find one that suited our needs. I tried on the Osprey Aura 65 in Pinon Green and was amazed at the comfort it offered. A sales rep asked if I wanted her to weigh it down in order to get a good idea of what it would really feel like. When filled with "25 lbs." of sand bags I was shamefully shocked at how HEAVY it was! Emily had them fill her dream backpack as well, and we tried to hide our weakness from the 'Oh-so-in-shape' outdoor enthusiasts that worked there. We didn't say anything in the store but as soon as we got in the van we both expressed how SURE we were that there was no WAY that could have been only 25 pounds! Looking back, after having carried a pack that eventually weighed more than 40 pounds, I still don't think it was only 25 lbs.
I didn't buy my backpack that day in REI, as I was told it would be going on sale soon. The purchase of my pack, as well as my shoes, I figured, would be the most important items I would shell out the big bucks for. After reading many blogs and websites on lightweight backpacking frugally, to the point of making your own backpack, I decided there were just some things that would be worth buying in the reliable brands. I did shop online a lot though, looking for the best deals. It became a great thrill to find things cheaper than I intended on buying it, and my backpack was one of those things. At www.backcountryedge.com I found my pack, the exact color and size I wanted, for $40 cheaper than the sale price at REI. I ordered it with great excitement and waited for it to arrive with great anticipation.
The day it arrived at the house I was stuck in this huge goofy-looking smile for the rest of the day. I put it on and wore it for a couple of hours, including during the five-minute walk down the street to my Nana's house. The kids thought I'd finally lost it for sure....maybe I had!
"Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it." - Greg Anderson
I left REI with mixed feelings. There was the feeling of let-down in knowing I wouldn't get to hike the trail this year, yet I left feeling one step closer to actually hiking the Wonderland Trail just in having received knowledge of what my next step must be.
I called my sister, Emily, on my cell phone from the REI parking lot to tell her I was going to hike this trail and asked if she would like to join me. I had always envisioned myself doing this as a solo trip, but the truth is whenever I do something exciting I picture my sisters there with me. She was instantly psyched. My enthusiasm was contagious and it was the beginning of many spontaneous planning sessions.
Before long, my youngest brother, Austin, was on board and my older sister, Tina, as well. They both had some things that had to fall into place before it could happen, but they hopped right on the Wonderland planning train and hung on for awhile. We often joked that Tina would be pregnant by next summer and not be able to go, but her biggest concern was figuring out who could care for her diabetic five year-old while she was gone for ten days.
The day my guidebook arrived in the mail was the day that the adventure became truly palpable. Up until now, I knew we could, and would do it, I just had no clue what it would entail. I read the book cover to cover within a few days. Then I began to read it again. I learned amazing details about the geological features of the trail and I also learned some history of the Mountain. To me, it was like hearing childhood stories of the one you've had a serious crush on...like getting a deeper understanding of one you've only been able to gaze at with adoring eyes.
With steps being taken to achieve my goal of hiking the Wonderland Trail underway, there was one roadblock that was partially out of my control: reservations for the back country hiking permit. It involved a process of knowing exactly where we would stay each night, writing up an itinerary of our campsites, and mailing or faxing a request, along with $20.00 that would be deducted only if you were able to get the itinerary you requested. Apparently, it wasn't easy to get reservations as back country camp sites were limited and the number of requests to hike the Wonderland Trail have been going up every year.
The first opportunity to send or call in a request was 8 am, March 11. I worked that day so I would have a fax machine available. However, the school day began at 8 am so I would have to wait until recess, two hours later, to fax my reservation request. I remember the anticipation of that morning. This action could either solidify my plans or send me back to the drawing board.
As soon as the kids ran outside to stretch their legs and blow off some steam, I hurried next door to the church office and begged the help of our beloved secretary who is always ready to lend a hand. We faxed the request form and waited....
I don't know much about fax machines but apparently this one prints out a verification that the fax was received. We never got one. I tried again. Same thing. I tried again. I was a little, well, a LOT nervous that my fax didn't go through, but I eventually surrendered and left it in God's hands. If it was meant for me to hike this trail and accomplish a dream that has been building within me for half of my life, then it would happen. I tried calling the next day to see if my fax was received, but not only was it a recorded message, but the message warned against doing that due to the high volume of requests and the small number of rangers handling the reservations. Now I was forced to wait for either a letter of confirmation or denial to come in the mail. The website said it would take at least two weeks to sort through all the requests...four weeks went by and I still hadn't heard.
"Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter." -Brad Henry
It was with great anticipation that Samuel and I climbed into "Mammy's" (my mom's) car on the sunny Saturday morning of October 5th.I felt lucky to be going along as that wasn't the original plan. We headed to Northwest Trek Wildlife Refuge to meet up with three of my nephews, my brother, Jordan, and my brother-in-law, Mike. I don't know about everyone else, but Sam and I were giddy with excitement at the thought of soaring 33 feet per second through the adventure course that zig-zagged high above the forest floor.
The original plan was for my mom to take Samuel, Thomas and Dominic on the course for their eleventh birthdays, which all took place within three months of each other last Spring. The event kept getting delayed as we found it difficult to coordinate our summer schedules. Then at some point in September, my mother (whose ideal outdoor experience is sitting on the deck of a semi-secluded cabin looking out over a misty lake while wearing fluffy slippers and a warm robe with a cup of coffee in hand) decided to take some of her co-workers on a team building experience to NW Trek. With a great sense of accomplishment she completed the difficult course, but now felt like she didn't "need" to do it again. Still wanting to pay for the kids to go, she volunteered the parents to go with the boys instead of her. We were thrilled!
Our reservation for the course was at 11 am. We met up with everybody and filled out papers promising that we wouldn't sue NW Trek if we were to break a limb or say....die. Then we climbed into our harnesses and payed close attention to the instructions. We learned to never double un-clip yourself lest you fall over backward and tumble off the platform, we learned to wait for the verifying, "CLEAR!" from the person in front of you before beginning the next heart pounding action, and we learned how to clip on to the cables before plunging yourself hundreds of feet down to the next wooden platform cleverly built high into the tall Douglas fir trees.
After a brief practice course we were ready to go. One by one we watched the other climb a 30 foot wall with grips for our hands and feet. The cousins wanted to stick together but with only three allowed on a platform at a time, Mike decided to go after his boys, then I would follow after Dominic and Samuel with Jordan bringing up the rear for our group. I had no concern with Sam climbing the wall. He has been climbing the walls at our house, literally and without grips, for years. I've always called him my monkey boy. My worry came when he was ready to jump off the platform before I got to the top. It was time for me to trust. Trust that he paid attention to the instructor about clipping on properly, trust that he wasn't fooling around, trust his Guardian Angel would see him to the other side.
Just as I reached the top of the giant wall, Sam began his speedy zip-line ascent to the other side over 200 feet away. That would be the shortest of six "zips" or zip lines. I laughed as he hollered with excitement while he flew through the air and I paused to make sure he made it to the other side. I then waited to hear, "Clear!" The boys' best laid plans of sticking together fell apart as us parents somehow, and I think mostly subconsciously, inserted ourselves among them. After I heard Samuel yell I got in position for my own 22 mile-per-hour surge through the air. The hardest part was the initial jump, but once that was accomplished it was smooth sailing through the forest. I delighted as the wind whirled around me and trees zoomed by in my peripheral vision, I think I even remember seeing my mom smiling many feet below, but my eyes were on that platform and making sure I didn't miss the part of the cable I needed to grab onto at the end. Samuel was waiting on the other side and we high-fived each other as we set out to attempt the next challenge.
The rest of the course consisted of a series of exciting and interesting challenges that tie six sections of "zips" together. There were swinging bridges with spaced-apart slats to step across; loosely suspended cargo nets to climb; a tight rope to walk; and a series of fixed and swinging planks to balance on. We cheered one another on took courage in knowing that "if they can do it so can I".
One of my favorites moments was when I was making my way across the first swinging bridge and as I looked down I saw a doe and her fawn wandering around on the forest floor directly beneath me. I could literally look below my feet and see the tops of their backs and soft brown heads. Another memorable moment was when I reached a point on the course where, Samuel in front of me and Dominic behind me, were at least 300 feet away on either end of two zip lines, it felt as though I were the only one in the forest. I stopped 45 feet above the ground and took in the scenery around me. The sun shone through the trees and its rays penetrated the forest in varying directions. All around me bright golden leaves fell silently; a slow steady descent to the earth. I felt lucky to be alive, to be able to save that moment in my memory bank to withdraw when the stress of life seems overbearing.
After completing the course we enjoyed the 50-minute tram ride through the 450-acre free roaming area populated by bison, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, deer and a variety of other animals. The adventure course and the sight of the animals made me aware of several things:
My children will always be my little 'kids', and oftentimes because of our own fallen human nature, we will inevitably butt heads, I love them will all my heart, I will support them in the challenges that come their way and I will trust that as they grow, having been given a good example, they will make the right choices.
Various pictures of the day. Many of the challenges were very high up. The pictures of us actually zip lining were fantastic views of blurry trees. For more info visit: http://www.nwtrek.org/zipwild/
