Sadness has passed as I said it would. I went to Hiking Church to express my gratitude. Although when home is this pretty, why would any need to change her scenery?

Because it’s healthy. And sometimes hilarious. Considering my post from last week I was most amused to find this woodpecker damage. On the Christian sabbath, no less.

Later in the day I saw this cleft cliff and wondered what caused its damage. Everyone else was staring at the waterfall. Swimming under the waterfall. Posing for photos in front of the waterfall. I couldn’t stop staring at this rock breaking in two.

But I’m jumping ahead. First there was the getting there. So much changes on the trail in two month’s time. That’s how long I’d been away.

Trail dog remembered the way.

Doesn’t it look like she’s raising an eyebrow at me?

The slender ladies lean in that casually seductive way. Like street girls of the forest.

Onward to the Emerald City Non-urban Oasis.

Who climbs over a mountain to get to a lake instead of going around?

Potholes here are infinitely more satisfying.

If I was camping here, this would be my bathtub. It was just deep enough for sitting.  Like a one person hot tub. Only not hot. And I’d have to evacuate the crawdads first.  Video posted here. I’m not camping though. It’s just a day hike.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a campfire.

Good sabbath.

— Mercy