Yesterday we went hiking on the Greenwater Lake Trail. It was, in a word, magical. It was, as Larissa described it, “Liked attending a forest cathedral.”
Yesterday was, of course, July 4th. An exciting day for a lot of people, a big day for America, a day off for Larissa and I. Three years ago we’d gone on a day hike in Alaska for July 4th, two years we’d gone on a day hike in Washington for July 4th, and both days were fun, so when we woke up in the morning and were discussing what to do for the day we decided it would be fun to go on a hike.
So over coffee we searched for best hikes near Seattle and within a couple of hours drive, not too crowded, not too long and not too strenuous. After passing on several options we discovered The Greenwater Lake trail not too far away from Crystal Mountain (skiing) outside of Enumclaw so close to the foot of Mt. Rainier, a 100-minute drive from our home. We left at noon.
And oh my goodness.
A three hour not too strenuous hike, a few people but not too many at all, and just one beautiful scene after another:
A church cathedral, with towering old growth forest where the real world seems a million miles away. Honestly, it reminded us in a way of one of the most awesome I’ve ever seen: a natural version of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. How old were some of these trees that welcomed us into their midst???
A trail along a bubbling river that crisscrossed one footbridge after another.
A spot where suddenly the river stopped, collected itself into a tranquil sun speckled pool that cast shimmering light into the rocks again.
A magical lake embraced by luscious green grass. In Seattle, all our lakes are populated with boats and people and geese. Here? Just nature at its best. And the only sound to be heard are birds. Was this heaven? No. But probably it was close.
A waterfall where the river just chutes over sheets of rock like some kind of oversized Japanese garden creek.
The hike was 2 hours and 45 minutes and 12,000 steps. But honestly it felt like 10 minutes, just a quick in and out, because it was so peaceful and breathtaking. It was a pretty amazing day.
I’m so very grateful for the many many great July 4ths I’ve had over the years. Fun times with friends and family at mom and dad’s Whidbey Island place. Fun times traveling. Fun times with friends on their boat last year watching the fireworks. And, this year, a almost-religious time hiking along Greenwater Lake Trail.
Here is wishing that everyone else had some joy too, if not yesterday than today and tomorrow.
Life, Work & Wonder 