Bogachiel River Trail

Option 4 is the planed route for the expedition. Option 3 Queets River valley was my first choice but I don't think that we can make it across the river where we would have to ford. The National Park website says "Fording the Queets River can be dangerous. For river discharge levels, visit Queets Stream Flow. The river is generally fordable when the flow (measured at highway 101) is below 800 CFS. The crossing can still be waist deep or deeper even at this level." As you can see from the above graph the water is still well above 1100 CFS and it is doubtful that it will drop low enough for us to cross. I am going to keep an eye on when it is low enough to cross and mark the date so I can plan a later trip (next year?) The Bogachiel river trail will suffice with plenty of great fishing.

Grumble. Grumble. Grumble....

The National Park system in all their wisdom say you now have to carry a "Bear Canister" rather than tying the pack in a tree. They say that the cans are harder to get into than a bag in a tree and that bears have learned that bags in a tree means pull on the rope for easy food. So they say the canister is better but the canister can easily be opened, (see article link below). Furthermore the canisters are not air tight and you are told to place the canister out in the forest a few hundred yards from camp. This seems really stupid also they canister which is basically a modified 5 gallon water jug is $80. Just stupid!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/nyregion/25bear.html?_r=1&em

Sorry deer, my dance card is full!

The rules within Olympic National Park are very strict. As much as I wanted to fox trot with the local ruminants, I had to turn them all down.

Last chance to go backpacking in the Olympics

For use in Ministry of Defence ration packs!

Forget it ladies! You can't handle this big chocolate stick.




As it clearly states on the wrapper "IT'S NOT FOR GIRLS"

Let us entertain you

The baby lettuce is thriving. I am super excited. There is a second crop started too, so we will have lots of garden fresh greens. These will be done in about 45d more. Not currently available for mail orders, but if you come and visit you can try it. I am just amazed at how fast things are coming up from seed her. It is really awesome. Next year will be bigger and better.

Gardeners: Here is your final Jeopardy question-

This plant is growing in our front garden patch, and recently started to bloom. What is it?

Cirque in our backyard?

I wish it was Cirque in our backyard, but alas no. I am sure most of you know the Cirque tent is yellow and blue. This weekend was the annual "Bainbridge in Bloom" garden and farm tour. The Manzanita Creek farm (the land we are renting a house on) was on the tour this year. Our neighbor, who owns a gourmet grocery helped cater some of the food. I was at work for two of the three days of spectacle, but Grey got to watch it first hand. Maybe next year I will be home for more of it.