River's 2018 Orcas Island Hikeathon/Pilgrimage

Saturday, August 25. Hikeathon Day 5. A Bouquet of Trails. Eastsound Town Walk   6.91 miles,  177 ft Deer Harbor                   4.87 miles,  321 ft Killebrew Lake              1.66 miles,    80 ft Obstruction Pass            2.48 miles,  481 ft Coho Preserve                  .95 miles,  168 ft BOUQUET TOTAL     16.87 miles, 1227 ft Dear Trail Friends, Today's walk took me to five different trails all around the island. The first was a walk around the town of Eastsound. One of the highlights of that walk was walking the labyrinth at the episcopal church, shown in photo 1. As I walked the labryrinth I reflected on the pilgrimage aspect of the hike. I decided as I walked all around and in and out and finally to the center, that this was a pilgrimage into the heart of kindness. Walking toward center, I though of the obstacles to kindness: how anger and fear (and the unkind thought and impulses they give rise to) have to be struggled with - like taking that ne

Friday, August 24. Hikeathon Day 3. Paths Up the Mountain, Approximately 18 miles, 3730 ft ascent. Paths Up the Mountain: from Cascade Lake day use area, Cold Spring Trail up, then down via Little Summit to Mountain Lake, then over to Twin Lakes and back up to the top, then down the road (with detour to Mountain Lake) to Cascade Falls, then trail back to Cascade Lake. Dear Trail Friends, I love the way this hikeathon somehow makes me more curious and adventuresome as I walk the familiar paths. For example, on the trail up Mt Constitution via Cold Springs, which I have hiked hundreds and hundreds of times, I have always vaguely known there was an old mine nearby. Earlier this year, in fact, I passed a scout troup on the trail as they prepared to visit the mine. But I have never gone there. So today of course I had to go. I left my backpack on the trail and I climbed a very steep and somewhat scary trail up to the mine (only to discover when I came out an alternative trail that was

Thursday, August 23. Hikeathon Day 3. Water Ways: Cascade Lake, Cascade Creek and Falls, Mountain Lake, Creek between Mountain Lake and Twin Lakes, Twin Lakes. Also: North Beach Trail. 21 miles, 2385 ft elev. gain. Dear Trail Friends, It's late, I'm exhausted, and I want to share EVERYTHING with you. I'm imagining Angel as a six-year-old telling me "It doesn't have to be perfect." The theme for today's walk was water - I had originally planned to visit all the lakes (and most creeks) in Moran Park, but today's hike had a surprise - I discovered a new and previously unknown (to me!) trail, and so went off on an adventure. As a result, Summit Lake will have to wait for another day's hike. Still, walking beside lakes or creeks for most of the day was very powerful for me. I was aware of how connected all these bodies of water are to one another, and how much I appreciate the movement of water, whether it is barely rippling on a lake or rushing w

Monday, August 20, Hikeathon Day 2. Turtleback Preserve. 15,79 miles. 3039 ft elev. gain. Dear Trail Friends, I have noticed a pattern in which the first day on the trail surprises me with joy and ease and then the second and third day hit me over the head with a 2x4. After that, though hiking is difficult, the joy and wonder sparkle through to make it all much much more than worth it. Today the second day pattern was compounded by smoke. Though I did not think the air quality was too bad, I knew it was worse than yesterday. I came home to learn it was at the "unhealthy to all" level, and I wasn't surprised because by 11am or so I began to feel lousy - weak, lurching, dizzy, trembling muscles, galloping heart – especially on the hot uphill sections once the sun was overhead. Nevertheless, it was an important hike for me and I am feeling great regret that I will need to postpone the next hike, probably until Thursday, until air quality improves. Speaking of regre