The Great Escape, Part 2

 

Hello again!  Yikes, the weeks have flown by, and the rest of the story was left dangling.  Quick...I better close one chapter and start the next before it too is over and a distant memory.  Is it age or am I just too busy living my life to sit down and concentrate on writing?  

After our time in Seattle, Olympic National Park and Mt. Rainier National Park we drove through some stunning countryside to North Cascades National Park.  I did not know much about this park but after researching prior to our trip it may have been the one I was most excited to visit.  It was everything and nothing like I expected.  Once again, the expectation of wet dreary weather was unrealized and we enjoyed almost perfect conditions.  We arrived later in the day but just had to drive into the park and headed right to one of the most iconic viewpoints in the park, the Diablo Lake viewpoint.  It did not disappoint!  The color of glacial lakes cannot be mimicked!  That turquoise blue is just stunning!  Our appetite to see more grew!

Lake Diablo inviting us to come back tomorrow!

Our accommodations were...rustic.  I am not sure there is anything but rustic accommodations around the park.  Seems North Cascades is a camper's and hiker's paradise.  We are not campers but we do like to hike!  We stayed in a small cabin not too far from the park.  Very functional is how I would describe it.  Luckily, we were driving and had our breakfast provisions, some snacks and our evening card playing refreshments with us as the on-site restaurant was closed for renovations.  The "nice" restaurant nearby was also closed for renovations.  We settled for the next to nice restaurant for both night and were happy.  If you hike enough, hot food is very satisfying

The next morning, we took the obligatory national park sign photos which gave us many laughs.  I mean how many tries does it take for 4 people, of a certain age, to get a good photo?!  You would have thought we were toddlers...one with eyes open, 2 with them closed...photographer not quite in the photo yet...totally awkward poses...We made many attempts and cracked up at the poor efforts.  Note to self...stand as far away from the camera as possible and don't stand like a statue!  Vanity has no end.

Nope...only 3/4 with open eyes.  And so it went!

First hike of the day, Blue Lake.  We had high hopes for this and it did not disappoint.  Possibly our longest hike with the most varied terrain.  We were farther north and at higher elevation so we hiked through some mud, some snow/mushy ice and crossed water on log bridges.  We also got to see some mountain goats up close and personal.  The lake at the end was beautiful!  We sat on a rock and ate our lunch marveling at the beauty.  

The view along the trail was motivating!

Navigating the mud and the snow...not as much fun.

The lake did not disappoint!

Nice view for lunch!

We hiked back and drove back to hike the "short easy" trail to Rainy Lake.  Another lovely lake and we appreciated the short and easy part!  

  

The adequate accommodations and as close to camping
as I like to go!

The dam at Lake Diable

Enjoying the cold glacial soak after a day of hiking!

Amazing!!!  Rainy Lake

The day surpassed my expectations!  North Cascades has so much more to offer and a new breathtaking view around every corner.  It was also the park we saw the most wildlife!  We saw a bear across Rainy Lake while soaking our feet...  The park has so many hikes of various elevations and lengths, we just touched the tip.  I would go back.  

The next day we drove up to Vancouver.  After all the time I have spent in Canada, I have never been to Vancouver.  I was very excited to visit.  Plus, it was nice to get back to "civilization" after a week in the parks.  Vancouver is not like any city in Nova Scotia that's for sure.  So shiny and modern.  We stayed in a very nice neighborhood and enjoyed walking to dinner.  We did not mind driving in and out of the city either.  Compared to Houston...super easy!  In order to see as much as possible in as little as possible time we did the hop on hop off bus tour.  We had never done one before.  Not a bad way to see the big sights quickly.  We did take a break at the market and in Chinatown.  We had a great meal on the water and indulged ourselves.  The last day of the trip we drove the Sea to Sky Road up to Whistler.  TJ was curious to see the ski village as he has it on his radar.  The drive up was the best part.  So scenic!  We made a few stops to take a short hike and to see a few sights.  Lunch in Whistler Village which is a summer mountain biking mecca and a winter ski resort.  

Steam Clock...check!

Shannon Falls and many rock climbers in the area! 

Drink a Ceasar!  Check!

Cross a suspension bridge!  Check!

Enjoy the waterfront!  Check!

Vancouver was lovely and we wish we could have spent more time exploring the area but all good things come to an end.  Maybe we will go back and visit Victoria...hint, hint.  The Pacific Northwest in June was a real treat!  We all loved it!

Back at the shore, life moves along.  We returned to summer in full bloom.  June proved me a liar.  June was a lovely month as far as historic data goes.  July began warm and continued to heat up to almost Houston summer conditions.  Luckily it did not last 3 months only a few days.  The population continues to grow almost daily now.  Some people have come and gone already which makes me a little sad.  If their time up here has ended for the year, mine can only be approaching.  Better make the most of the days we have here, they are precious and numbered.  It feels like I am about at the halfway point of my time here and heading down the other side of the countdown.  I guess I can't think about that now.  Hopefully I will have a day to myself again and find something fun or thoughtful to share here.  Until then, enjoy the summer and make the most of the days that give us extra hours of sunlight to enjoy.