Totals so far

I did not get out much this year but when I did get out I put in a lot of miles and elevation gain. So far this year I have hiked 215 miles and I gained 55,541 feet in elevation.

A new washout on the Dose

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20091122/news/311229994

"The Jefferson County commissioners declared a state of emergency Friday for a washout on the Dosewallips Road two miles west of its intersection with U.S. Highway 101.

The declaration allowed the county to bypass some regulations so repairs could begin immediately.

The road is closed to all but local traffic, and flaggers are moving traffic across a single lane. There is currently no time line for repairs to be completed."

Biking on logging roads and train tracks

Water over the track. This track is not in use right now because a bridge in downtown Shelton washed out last year.



Gives the term "waste land" a whole new meaning.



A sordid history



was 1990 really that long ago?


Run patches run!




Trying to find something pretty in all this waste land.



Left or right?

Old growth cedar stumps in a swamp next to the rail line.


Goldsborough creek rail road bridge.


















I was surpised to find this bridge on what I assumed was an unmaintained trail.

I rode 11 miles and I managed not to crash. I was careful not to ride over any slippery sticks that were bigger around than my tires and I cleared away alot of the bigger sticks so I could stay on my bike more on the way back.

Biking feels much different to me then hiking. It is more invigorating and more intense. It seems to be a good way to get in a quick work out when I don't have the time for a long hike.

My bike needs a tune up already. I think it is still a good bike but it did not get tuned up properly by the harried REI employee who sold it to me. The bike was supposed to be ready for me when I arrived and it was not. There was only one clerk at the bike counter and he was busy waxing skis or doing something with skis. Maybe I will take it to the local shop to get it tuned up and bypass my free tune up at REI.

The rear derailer will not shift into the lowest three gears and the brake levers keep sticking or doing something weird. I think there is too much slack in my brake rear brake cable. I am disappointed that my bike is already shifting poorly. I hope this is not going to be a problem bike for me.






I found an old caboose and a new trail system during my travels today. I did not know about this trail system, I think it is build for motorcycles. It does not get much use and I can see why I might need eye protection while I am biking.

Saint Edwards Church, Shelton, Washington

Saint Edwards Catholic Church was built in 1931. It was designed by Paul Thiry who is known as the "Father of Northwest Modernism". He went on to be the head designer for the Seattle Center for the 1962 worlds fair. St. Edwards Church was destroyed this week.

The Seattle diocese sold the lot to Mason County. Mason County stipulated in the sales contract that the parish had to tear the building down.

Mason County intends to use the property as a parking lot.

Paul Thiry went on to be the principal architect of the Seattle World's Fair, the Washington State Library in Olympia, the Frye Art Museum in Seattle as well as the preservation and planning of Washington D.C. and its Capitol Building.

Saint Edwards was heralded as one of his early works that he designed before he became famous.

A group who wanted to save the historical building got together and offered Mason County $350,000 for the land. In the end it was down to one commissioner who decided to say no.

Saint Edwards has been an important part of the local community. Many people were married and baptized in this church.

Saint David's church, built in 1948 sits on the same block but it is protected as an historical building and can not be torn down.

Here is a slide show of the destruction, that I made over the past two months.

I just went up to take pictures of the new church and I discovered that it is at the site of one of my former geocaches. The cache was destroyed by a bulldozer a few years ago. Now I know who I have to thank for that!

Salmon Swimming on the Road Pictures Skokomish River Flooding

The effects of overlogging and damning in the Skokomish Watershed


Many of these Salmon will be left high and dry in cow pastures when the water level falls.




Salmon swimming on the Skokomish Valley Road.
Devastation caused by logging.




Skokomish Valley Road Flooded out



Skokomish Valley road about .10 of a mile from 101



This is how much the river rose while I was taking pictures