Schmitz Preserve On A Tuesday Afternoon

Earlier in the day, I went on a 12 mile jog and tried to take some pictures to help remind myself how pretty it was. However, that didn't do much for Bogie and I had just enough energy to take him for a nice walk. I pulled out my 60 Trails Within 60 Miles Of Seattle book to find a short hike that we hadn't explored yet.

Centennial Trail, Spokane Washington On A Saturday Morning

Visited Spokane Washington this week and we were able to fit in a great hike Saturday morning. Centennial trail is a 37 mile paved recreational trail that runs from the Idaho state line and ends at the Nine Mile Falls in Washington. We explored just a sample of it but I'm sure we will return. For more information about the trail, you can visit http://www.spokanecentennialtrail.org/ .


Here you can see a picture of John (our host and guide) with Brenda. Thank you again John and Stephanie for such a great visit!


The Seattle visitors for a quick picture (Brenda, Bogie and myself).


Loved this shot early on and I can only imagine this is great rodent hunting for raptors.



One of the many strange rock formations suitable for a quick pose.





Here we are enjoying Deep Creek Canyon and chatting with some rock climbers that decided this was a worthy goal for them that day.




Some shots of the Deep Creek Canyon bridge.



On our way up to a view point of the canyon. Brenda and Bogie headed up at a pretty quick pace and had to wait a little while for John and I to catch up.




The view was fantastic and I was able to snap a shot of Brenda laughing as I said "Give Me Your Adventurous Profile".



A quick hike back as John lead the way exploring a trail that ran somewhat parallel to the road we drove in on. All in all, the weather and the hike was almost perfect for the time we had available to us that Saturday!

Sunday Morning "Run Scared" 5K

Last week although we paid and registered, we decided against going to the Zombie Run 5K in Olympia. It was raining like crazy and too far to drive in that bad weather to run in that kind of weather. I heard about this 5K in which the proceeds benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and we decided to give it a go. Personally, I just wanted to see how people would react to the costume I got Bogie and the feedback was awesome!


This picture has grown into one of my favorites of the year. I saw someone ahead of me pointing their camera blindly behind them. I decided to give it a go and never realized my head would appear in a "Kilroy" pose. As you scan the photo, look at

- the child's expression in the lower right
- the pair of hands holding up an iPhone for a picture in the mid upper right
- the woman whose costume is simply a handlebar mustache
- way in the back, the four guys going as teenage mutant ninja trulls

I love this shot!


Here is a peak at Bogies costume. The most awesome part about it is the pumpkin the the sleepy hallow riders hand would bop up and down while he was running!


Bogie and I before the race. I ended up turning the mask backwards for the run.


Another bogie shot.


My ride, date and running partner Brenda, who decided to go sans costume!

Sun Break Causes Day Off Hike To Rattlesnake Ledge

Seattle weather has been looking like winter way too early this year. On Monday, I saw that Tuesday was supposed to be sunny. I quickly typed out a vacation day request and started making plans. I have been misled by local weather reports and had two destinations in mind.


I was still undecided all the way up to a few miles away from the first exit when I decided on Rattlesnake Ledge. I wanted to get back in time in order to go for a run. What can I say, I'm getting conflicted in my exercise needs!



This is the tree stump that Bogie and I took some pictures from on our hike on March 6th of this year. If you remember correctly, I ruined a camera when it (and the gorillapod mount) fell of the stump and into the water. No worries about that this time, look at how far down the water is!




A few more shots around the lake before heading up the trail.



Above you can see a couple shots going up to the ledge and below some shots at the ledge. Great day and destination for a quick hike!