LOTA foggy

Lake of the Angels

We headed back up the Putvin trail for a second time this year.  The first time was to help get us in shape for Mount Adams.  This time was so we could see the lake when it is not covered in snow.

Another hike that Patches was not allowed to go on.  In all the years I hiked with her, I only cheated twice and for a total of about two miles.  Not bad.  Both times I cheated where when the hike started in the forest and I forgot that it ended in the Park, so even those were not planned.

We hit the trail at 10:10 and made it to the lake by 2.  We spent a fair amount of time taking pictures and eating berries.

The lake was totally socked in with fog.  This was a lot of effort for no view.  Up high the flowers were blooming while fog was settling in all around.  It felt like two season's had collided.  Fall fog with spring flowers.

We made it out shortly before sunset.  We have to increase our speed or start hiking earlier in the morning as the days are getting shorter.

The second headwall climb is a bit more treacherous than it used to be.  Part  of a long tree root that used to aid climbers has broken off leaving very little to hold on to.

We parked at the old road since we both think it is pretty and we appreciate the gentle grade.

7 miles round trip with 3,600 feet elevation gain.  That's steep.

Termites were busy adding to this pile of sawdust

Climbinb up the headwall

Twin Harbors to Westport plus Pokemon

It's still hot, so we opted for another ocean beach hike.  This hike was even more fun than the last one.  We started at Twin Harbors State Park and walked into the town of Westport.   The plan was to have a packed lunch and an ice cream in Westport.  Instead we had hot coffee and hot chocolate because it was not at all hot.  The weather was perfect really.

We found a lot of great Pokemon in Westport and we walked 3.5 miles just hunting Pokemon!  I also left 4 Pokemon behind in gyms in Westport.

My hunt for a new Springer Spaniel is not going well.  All the flakes and nut jobs on Craigslist are really bringing us down.  We have been aproved to adopt through English Springer Spaniel Rescue of America, but all of their dogs are in Texas.

13 miles with 20 feet elevation gain.

Entire Hike

Pokemon hunting

Westport

Some of my favorite pictures of Patches

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Ocean Beach Walk

With smoke in the Olympics and oppressive heat, hiking at the ocean beach seemed best.  We hiked from Twin Harbors State Park to Grayland State Park.  This was fun and we will do something like this again.  The air was nice and clean.  We got very sunburned.

Even if Patches was still alive we could not have taken her.  She always drank saltwater at the beach.  She would have one drink and then stop due to the taste, but then she would have another drink seemingly forgetting that it was salt water.  Then she would throw up.  Such a silly dog.

We had lunch at the picnic table near the restroom at Grayland Beach State Park and people were staring at us.  Due to our backpacks I guess?

We caught a bunch of new Pokemon in Aberdeen.  Electric types were found at the substation near Safeway.  We also caught Jynx and Scyther in the downtown area.  We found a wild Exeggcute at Grayland Beach State Park.  We also found a Riachu there, it ran from me after taking 19 of my ultraballs and just as many great balls.  This game is too buggy to be a lot of fun a the moment.

11.5 miles round trip with no elevation gain.

Patches Died

Patches died  on July 26th at 11:30pm on top of Mount Hebo in Oregon.   She has been cremated and we are going to keep her ashes at home for a while.