I made a point on this hiking trip to plan emergency provisions - namely, effective rain gear. On our Mt Siyeh climb in Glacier Park, a 12 mile hike up to 8,000 feet, most of us were poorly prepared for sudden rain, hail, thunder and lightning - especially Daisy, pictured above, listening to her grandmother's final checklist.
We learned that no matter the weight of a backpack, it must contain everything needed for the worst conditions, not just what we'll need for predictable weather and an easy day-hike. My son Rue said, " Plan for the worst; hope for the best".Rue and Annie were camped at Lena Creek Campground, in the Olympic National Forest. We joined them for an afternoon hike up Mt Townsend, bringing Rahmat with us. We had pleasant weather - mid 60's, scattered clouds, with the possibility of sun-breaks. 
But the weather on Mt Townsend was completely overcast, with fog drifting through the trees. We had to plan for rain.
Annie put a heavy sweatshirt on Daniel, and packed a coat, hat, mittens and rain jacket for him. 
All of us were loaded with warm clothing, rain gear and food - which made our packs pretty heavy. I've learned, since our hike on Mt Siyeh, to carry food and drinks on my hips, and to pack clothing and rain gear in my backpack. That distributes the heaviest load on my biggest bones, and keeps the pressure off my shoulders, which have really taken a beating over the years from gardening, canoeing and care-giving (lifting old people).
Rue lead the way with the dog, Starbucks, with Rahmat right behind. They had boundless energy, leaving Daisy, Annie, George and I behind, hiking at a slower pace. However, we all stayed together, something we also learned on our Siyeh hike.
I was trying out some new all-terrain Muck boots, which I hoped would keep my feet dry. (On the Siyeh hike the rain had poured down my slacks right into my good hiking boots, resulting in wet feet the last six miles of the hike.) I was pleased with the Muck boots - they held up and were comfortable without any foot trauma or blisters. My feet stayed dry because my rain pants were pulled over the boot, down to the ankle.
As we expected, the fog turned into sprinkles, then rain. Without hesitation, when I felt those first raindrops, I stopped, pulled my rain gear out, and put it on - waterproof jacket, pants, and gloves. George felt I was holding things up, acting a bit prematurely, but I assured him that it was better to put rain gear on before we got damp, before our hair got wet. Otherwise, when hiking downhill we wouldn't generate enough heat to get dry or stay warm. I urged him to do the same, and he pulled out his poncho. I had an extra pair of climbing gloves in my pack, so he put those on also.
Within moments Daisy, Rue, Rahmat and Annie put on rain gear. 
This full-visored poncho had the best hood of all - it kept the rain off Rue's eyes. However, ponchos have their limitations - those portions not covered get wet, like arms and legs - and the seat of the pants. I'm convinced full-body protection is best - jacket, pants, and gloves carried in the backpack at all times. Never underestimate the importance of waterproof gloves - when it rains hands get cold if they are wet, and they become miserable if there is wind. So often, our rain gear is in our canoeing box, out in the garage. We need an additional set, stored in our backpacks: If it isn't handy, it won't be packed.
When shopping for effective rain gear 'water-repellent' is the first level of protection, for light rain. However, in heavy rain, 'water-proof' gear is the best. We've used inexpensive waterproof apparel for canoeing over the years. It is great, but gets hot when hiking. I now prefer to have lighter-weight, breathable waterproof material.
From time to time my sister sends suggestions for loading up the packs, so we are totally prepared. She wrote recently: "This time of year, you really have to have a hiking pack that takes into consideration EVERYTHING. The downfall of many people is that they just groan at the thought of the extra weight of the pack---and take their chances. Always think to have on hand in your pack what would make you comfortable should you need to spend several hours lying on the ground, waiting for the gurney to arrive! Rain pants have always been in my pack (except on Siyeh Pass when I took them out to make room for Frank's food and water! and, of course, that's when I needed them!)....anyway, rain pants can be used to WARM YOU UP even when it isn't raining. And you always need a headlamp and a warm hat. I even have a spare pair of glasses in my pack should I break a lens or something. Oh, and always have 4 aspirin on hand in case someone gets serious chest pain. You can save a life just by giving 2-4 aspirin to a person beginning a heart attack. 
They don't take up much room. Each time you take a serious hike, you think of one more thing to put in your pack. Soon, your pack is YOUR pack and it just stays the same for all hikes."Well, I had to laugh - for the fun of it, I tried on Rue's pack, about 30 lbs...it was all I could do to straighten up after loading it up onto my shoulders!I have my sister to thank for suggesting a little neck scarf - it may seem decorative, but it could be used as a tourniquet in an emergency, is useful for cleaning the rain off my glasses, and - heaven forbid - could be used as toilet paper or a baby wipe.
We bought a box of peaches on our return from eastern Washington, and I've been slowly canning a batch or two a day, not making a big production out of it. It is much more enjoyable that way and my day is free for gardening.
We have cooler weather forecast for the next few days. My tomatoes will not benefit from that - down to 59 degrees next week. If those tomatoes do not ripen up, the whole lot will go into pickle relish rather than tomato sauce.
I've been preparing large batches of rasams and sambars - east-Indian soups - and freezing them. They are perfect rewarmed and taken in a thermos on a hike. The rasam features Swiss chard, turnips, carrots and lentils; the sambar has tomatoes, brussel sprouts, onions and beans. The spice blends are very different from each other, resulting in totally different soups.
I roasted/broiled veggies from the garden, then wrapped them in burrito shells.
The shells were fried in a sprinkling of chili spices, paprika, and turmeric.
Shredded provolone holds the veggies in place and adds a nice flavor. And, I baked another apple pie, using finely chopped almonds in the crust. 
The apples were canned last fall, and I want the jar for my peaches. Yeah, right... I was just in the mood for pie!
We only had the weekend to explore the Hanford Reach National Monument, a place of sweeping vistas, towering bluffs, and stark beauty. This area is one of the driest and hottest portions of the Columbia River Basin, a shrub-steppe habitat identified by the U.S. Department of the Interior as an endangered ecosystem.
We spent several hours exploring the preserve, hiking, and canoeing.
While hiking these bluffs we found old bleached skulls, five of them placed there by other hikers. Somebody even included a rattlesnake head.
The canoeing was great - although we were careful to paddle up-river first, then float down - we weren't sure of currants or the weather. We paddled to an island, into a slough. The water became shallow, filled with aquatic life. We watched a beaver on the shore, and deer.
We beached the canoe and had dinner. We saw only one lone fisherman casting his rod over the water. When he left we had the entire place to ourselves - and thousands of crickets who sang through the night.
A storm hovered over the distant plateaus. Coyotes called to one another. The wind intensified throughout the night, pushing the storm clouds away. A stark full moon remained, reflecting shimmering patterns on the water.
George took so many photos on this trip, we had to put them in sets: Sunset on the Wild Columbia; Hiking the Hanford Reach; The Hanford Reach - Columbia RiverThe View from Camp Nuclear
We visited with Ruhiyyih and Matt in the tri-cities area, then drove along the Naches Highway up through the pass.
Tipso Lake was beautiful in the late afternoon light. Fog swirled in patterns through the trees, and it was cold.
We stopped along the Naches River for dinner, which I prepared quickly from left-overs, and enjoyed watching the antics of an American Dipper, catching his dinner in the stream.
It was a weekend filled with so many different landscapes,and such intense weather, hot and cold. I'm amazed that so much could be experienced in such a short time, so close to home.
We've been enjoying the sunshine...shown here on Dale Chihuly's glass ceiling at the Museum of Glass. I'm enjoying it, but it will rain over the weekend. Solution: Travel east over Snoqualmie Pass - forecast:
Sunshine, 80 degrees.
I've been reading "The End of Overeating" by David A. Kessler, MD this week. It features the subtle and shocking facts about how Americans have lost control over our eating habits.
Kessler shows how sugar, fat and salt have changed our brains and our bodies, resulting in a cycle of desire and consumption that ends with a nation of overeaters.
As I read, I notice that my inclinations are very different from the people he describes - or, I've conditioned my brain to resist compulsively poor food choices. I simply do not have cravings, comfort foods, or excessive appetite - I just want to cook good food.
As a child I was unaccustomed to taste thrills - Mother did not like cooking for her family. Comfort was found in books, drawing, and exploring the outdoors. We spent summer afternoons at a cabin in the mountains, swimming, riding horses, and hiking in the mountains. I associate wholesome bowls of chili with the cabin, and memories of roasting marshmallows over a neighbor's campfire. Other than chili, there was no memorable food of any kind.Over the years I've built a nutritional program that works for me, featuring nutritious food, the exquisite pleasures of ethnic cuisine, and the joy of experimentation. For me it isn't just one particular substance that could be the problem, like sugar, salt, or fat. One's food intake must be consciously considered, not a reaction to an outside stimulus like a commercial on TV. In other words, a meals (eating) is planned.For a gardener, a meal is what you've been able to pull that morning from the garden.
Yesterday's breakfast was brussel sprouts, peas, onions, and zucchini, stir-fried with a little za'attar - the fragrance of thyme, oregano, and marjoram, tossed in the pan with a few dashes of olive oil. That was my meal...served with a small side-dish of oatmeal with pecans, currants, cinnamon and brown sugar.
I don't restrict taste-thrills - I just limit the portion size if it contains sugar. Sugar is getting a bad reputation, but a little of it will always be part of my life because one cannot harvest huckleberries without thinking of pancakes; one cannot pick apples without smelling the cinnamon of a freshly baked pie. As Kessler states in his book, there are emotional relationships to the 'Food Equation', memories cherished over decades which endear us to a particular food. I love memories of huckleberries and apples -- I'm not keen on brussel sprouts, but will eat a plate-full partnered with a little oatmeal on the side. It is a balancing act, not one or the other, but both, carefully considered.
Don't let this tranquil image at Lake Cushman fool ya - it was a hazardous place for a paddle, with choppy water and underwater hazards.
At one point we had to pull our way through a labyrinth of floating logs and driftwood.
The place was packed with young people; the road along the reservoir was dusty and congested. At one point I wanted to turn around and get out of there - this was the last thing I wanted!
But, we kept driving down to the head of the lake, where the road narrowed. 
We found a nice place to park and put the canoe in the water.The sunshine was great - temps in the low 90's, a hint of wind. 
We paddled over to an island and had a picnic. Climbing up onto the island was tough, as well as securing the canoe. George wedged it between several trees, making it great fun (almost miraculous)
for me to climb into once we resumed canoeing.
The island was great - old growth timber, lots of mossy logs, shade, and fun to explore.
Beaver had recently gnawed the base of this tree.
This large cedar was completely rotted.
We will re-think canoeing reservoirs next time - it is just not what we prefer. We enjoy natural, wild, remote, and quiet.
What a strange week it was, processing the bliss of my vacation in Montana, yet awake to the disturbing reality of my life: Scabby potatoes, bolted lettuce, stunted corn, and turnips with no elbow room.
I've yanked a few things out of the garden, and gone to Watson's, to purchase a few starts for the fall garden.Two clerks greeted me there, remembering what I'd purchased last year (heck, I can't even remember what I purchased last month!) They said I inspired them to grow brown fennel, and that it is doing beautifully. ( I didn't mention that mine self-seeded, and now I've got fennel among my carrots, chard, corn, and potatoes.)
They said their lettuce has bolted with the cold weather, and they need to pull it out - not me! I make lettuce soup, and whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner, lettuce soup is the first course.
They'd never heard of using lettuce for soup, and asked how I made it. Well, last year's soup was refreshing and calm - I hadn't acquired the east-Indian palette. This year it'll blow yer socks off! I use a rasam broth, and bitter veggies, so perfect for hot weather. A few tomatoes and some molasses powder softens the strong flavors.
Once the soup base is made, fresh lettuce is added for each meal, finely chopped in the food-processor and then boiled for a minute or so. I made naan for the soup, added small potatoes, and served the meal with a side dish of yogurt.
This is our stunted corn - it did very poorly.
We dug potatoes and turnips this week; all the Yukon Gold potatoes were scabby. No problem with aesthetics, though. 
I just dusted them with a spice blend and added them to Chicken Biryani.
Zucchini with pumpkin seeds, served with veggie wraps.
Franklin Park held a garden meeting Wednesday night - some of the Metro Parks staff were there to hear suggestions. I didn't attend, didn't want to hear all the problems - all I want is sunshine and temps above 70. One gardener filled me in on all the issues, and before we knew it we were talking for almost a half-hour! While I held my hose shut, while he held his tray of seedlings, he described his journey from junk food on the run to organic/home-grown. He now detoxes if he consumes a doughnut, which now happens rarely.
I told him about a book I've read, Dr. David Kessler's " The End to Overeating". Kessler describes the vascular damage done by cheap processed foods and saturated fats. This set my friend off on a whole new tangent - the pharmaceutical companies, and the horrific medications now necessary to remove 'pecker sludge' in the aging male population.
When I did my grocery shopping on Friday, that vulgar term described most of the food that a couple ahead of me purchased. Just fake food, contrived in attention-getting packages, with no nutritional value. They had a four page list, coupons - they obviously had gone to some work to plan their meals. I looked at all the packaged frozen meals, the soft drinks, the canned goods, cheap bread - and realized that they don't cook. No fresh fruits or vegetables, whole grains - nothing that requires chopping - or chewing.
I was mulling all this over when the woman behind me asked if I was planning to check out - I'd been so lost in thought that I'd forgotten to put my groceries on the conveyor belt!
The family spent a week hiking in Glacier Park, Montana. 
There were 10 of us, including my sister and her husband, several of my children with spouses, my youngest son, and two of my grandchildren - Daisy who is 14 and 13 month old Daniel .
We did three major outings, one to Rocky Point on Lake McDonald to spend the day swimming.
Another hike up to a waterfall, where we sighted a bear near the trail.
And a 12 mile hike up through Siyeh Pass through some of the Park's most dramatic back-country: Wooded forests, wildflower meadows, waterfalls, tundra, and a spectacular gorge. It is Glacier Park's highest maintained trail and one of the Park's best trails for day hikes.
The Siyeh Pass hike was one all of us will never forget, because thunder and lightning, wind, hail and rain battered the mountain shortly after we reached the summit at 7,750 feet. I have a Flickr set featuring our hikes, but it features very little of this memorable hike through Siyeh Pass - we were all running for our lives once the lightning started! It was 'every man for himself' getting down that mountain. We scattered (a good move when there is lightning) but lost our organization and communication.
The Washington crowd (my family) came ill-prepared with little or no rain gear, and we behaved like recreational hikers, not true mountaineers like my sister and her husband. They doled out rain gear, waterproof mittens and warm jackets from their packs, but we got drenched from the torrent of rain and hail.
When we all regrouped (an air horn was necessary) we found that several in our group were shivering - we'd bolted down from the summit so quickly that when we had to stop for the others to join us we got chilled, our energy reserves were depleted. This could have been potentially life-threatening.
Regrouping was necessary because a bear was sighted on the trail below us. We made lots of noise, however, and never saw the bear again. Also, as we walked through the lower elevations, our clothing became dry.
We warmed up, and the hiking became pleasurable again.
I was sure glad when this hike was over, and we were dining on hot soup and home-made bread in a little cafe at St. Mary's.
It was a long day. We'd gotten up at 4:00 a.m. to set our gear (3:00 a.m. my time) and have breakfast, then drove to the Park. Ten hours of hiking, followed by dinner; then the 2 hr. drive back to Kalispell in the dark. We arrived home about 12:30 a.m.
I've spent hundreds of hours in Glacier, but this time I was able to experience the drama of an abrupt storm - purple clouds roiling overhead, sheets of hail and rain, violent claps of thunder. I had to zone into acute concentration where every movement counted. It was the most wondrous afternoon I've spent in Glacier! Shock and awe, we had it all!
Next time, we'll be better prepared, with winter jackets and waterproof rain-gear, and we'll go over ground rules so necessary for survival in a group - because next time we might not be so lucky! And, we'll cut down on driving time by camping up in the Park, rather than make that long commute. I plan to hike with a large thermos of hot tea - hikers need to warm up from inside to outside. Now that lessons are learned ... I am so ready to do this again!
I made a point on this hiking trip to plan emergency provisions - namely, effective rain gear. On our Mt Siyeh climb in Glacier Park, a 12 mile hike up to 8,000 feet, most of us were poorly prepared for sudden rain, hail, thunder and lightning - especially Daisy, pictured above, listening to her grandmother's final checklist.
But the weather on Mt Townsend was completely overcast, with fog drifting through the trees. We had to plan for rain. 
Annie put a heavy sweatshirt on Daniel, and packed a coat, hat, mittens and rain jacket for him. 
All of us were loaded with warm clothing, rain gear and food - which made our packs pretty heavy. I've learned, since our hike on Mt Siyeh, to carry food and drinks on my hips, and to pack clothing and rain gear in my backpack. That distributes the heaviest load on my biggest bones, and keeps the pressure off my shoulders, which have really taken a beating over the years from gardening, canoeing and care-giving (lifting old people).
Rue lead the way with the dog, Starbucks, with Rahmat right behind. They had boundless energy, leaving Daisy, Annie, George and I behind, hiking at a slower pace. However, we all stayed together, something we also learned on our Siyeh hike.
As we expected, the fog turned into sprinkles, then rain. Without hesitation, when I felt those first raindrops, I stopped, pulled my rain gear out, and put it on - waterproof jacket, pants, and gloves. George felt I was holding things up, acting a bit prematurely, but I assured him that it was better to put rain gear on before we got damp, before our hair got wet. Otherwise, when hiking downhill we wouldn't generate enough heat to get dry or stay warm. I urged him to do the same, and he pulled out his poncho. I had an extra pair of climbing gloves in my pack, so he put those on also.
This full-visored poncho had the best hood of all - it kept the rain off Rue's eyes. However, ponchos have their limitations - those portions not covered get wet, like arms and legs - and the seat of the pants. I'm convinced full-body protection is best - jacket, pants, and gloves carried in the backpack at all times. 
They don't take up much room. Each time you take a serious hike, you think of one more thing to put in your pack. Soon, your pack is YOUR pack and it just stays the same for all hikes."
