Living in Eucharist

Summer, though not technically over, is giving way to autumn. I've been blessed this summer with one of my favorite things--hiking. Most weekends I've worked in a hike or two, in contrast with last summer when I only got to do one hike. And I love to hike! This is by no means the end of  hiking for me this year, but as the seasons change I reflect on the why's and the where's of my wonderings.

'The Mountains are calling' from GreetsDesigns

The first 'why' is my passion for hiking and nature! Growing up in a small town in western Nebraska may not sound like hiking central, but, quite frankly, what else was there to do? Scottsbluff National Monument and the Wildcat Hills were my childhood playgrounds.

View from the top of Scotts Bluff National Monument

Second, hiking is a great way to spend time with people. It's a wonderful way to get to know folks, just walking in the diverse beauty of nature there is always something to talk about and an ease in the quiet. There is an intimacy created with that beauty paired with the absence of distractions, like electronics, that can allow talks of depth that might never occur otherwise.

Nature cheaper than therapy by OliveandThistleCo

The list of why's could go on and on(there's the exercise thing, for example), but my number one motive for hiking is to live in Eucharist! In the midst of His creation I am grateful. I am nourished and revived in His Beauty. I am inspired to share His Love and Beauty and continue to seek Him first.

As for the 'wheres" here, in chronological order, is a list of my spring/summer hikes:

•  Snoqualmie Falls -- this was part of a special day, the day after our daughter's wedding, with very special folks.

Randy, Karen, me & Jim at  Snoqualmie Falls and Salish Lodge

• Washington Park Aboretum -- our annual Mothers' day hike!

Me & my precious kids

• Twin Falls -- first adventure with our hiking group 

'Ridgers Hike'

• Nisqually Wildlife Refuge -- I did this one twice this summer!

Nisqually Delta

Also got to kayak there

• Mt. Galbraith -- a Colorado hike!

Just outside Golden, Colorado

• Tolmie Peak Lookout and Eunice Lake -- a magical, misty hike

Em on the trail

• Mt. Si -- this summer's toughest hike by far!

Katie took this from the very top(where I dare not go)

• Sheep Lake and Sourdough Gap -- another group hike. This was so much fun, our original plan was to hike Sheep Lake and then we just kept adding on more trails. The burgers at Wally's after were especially delicious!

This is part of the Pacific Crest Trail

• Rattlesnake Ledge -- one of my all time favorite trails and I got to check Twedes off my bucket list

Patty & I on Rattlesnake Ledge

Agent Dale Cooper's favorite pie, this is another reason I love to hike, after hike treats

• Poo Poo Point -- with the kids on a Sunday

Great fun watching the paragliders from the top

• Hurricane Hill -- just last weekend, another family hike

Amazing views 360 degrees from the top

My hope is that each and every one of us pursue our passions, as they are a gift from God, and in so doing live in Eucharist! 

Linda <><

Mothers Day Afterthoughts

At the end of our family's long Mothers' Day weekend I thanked my sweet husband and precious daughters for putting up with me and my 'plans'. My oldest said, "I love you, just not your plans! It would have been a lot easier to make you a card and get flowers!" Ultimately, I think she's glad we did what we did and her little sis is recovering. We didn't get many pictures with us, the little one doesn't like her pic taken. But the memories will remain in our hearts for all time. 

Doing the Free Them 5K made us all a little more aware of a world outside our own seemingly sheltered lives. We were able to exceed our team goal with folks donating over $500 in our team's name. Race day brought perfect weather, delicious food trucks, a petting zoo, cheerful participants and a sold out race. The girls learned that a 5K is no biggie and we are planning to do this one again next year.

Mother's Day was a bluebird day for hiking, or as my husband corrected me, climbing Mount Si. It was four miles up with an elevation gain of 3500 feet. We got some photos, but none with us. I promise we did it! We will have that memory forever! Luckily, the aches will only last a day or two. At the top is a boulder field and beyond it what they call the haystack. Even though we didn't attempt the haystack I feel like it was a major accomplishment. Here are some pics hubby and I got.

A view up Old Si trail

Mossy trees along the trail

View of North Bend area

Looking back at Snoqualmie Pass

View Back to Seattle

Here's Mount Si from Rattlesnake Ledge, on a hike we did last summer.

Feet selfie

The after hike plan was to eat cherry pie at Twede's Cafe in North Bend, the famed diner from Twin Peaks. It was crazy busy and we decided it should be rainy/misty/drizzly to get the true Twin Peaks ambiance, so we moved on and found a great little place, Chicago Pastrami, in Issaquah just down the road that had the best hot dogs. Now, I dearly love hot dogs, but I only eat one or two a year. I had just finished a ridiculous 8 mile hike so anything probably would have made me happy, but that Nathan's hot dog  with a Limonata and potato salad was a perfect Mother's Day meal!

At the end of the day, the best part of Mother's Day weekend was simply spending it with my dear family. God has blessed me with two grown daughters who put up with my hair brained ideas and a hubby just crazy enough to help me work out the details.

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord:

for this is right."

Ephesians 6:1

May your May be filled with joyful memories!

Linda <><