New Hiking Buddies

Great hike today with new friends, Susan (left) and Mary (right), both Sunland neighbors in Sequim.  Mary drove us up to Hurricane Ridge to the Hurricane Ridge trail.  The trail is approximately 5 miles with some healthy ascent.  And the views from the top are 360 degrees of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains.  Wildflowers and sunshine abundant.  Glorious. 

Saw three marmots along the trail—about the size of a beaver.  Usually quite shy; it was a treat to catch them out and about today.  Susan got a great picture (right) of one of the marmots and another of bear grass along the trail.  (Great photography, Susan!)

On our way home, we stopped by the Camaraderie winery in Port Angeles.  Some of their grapes are from Chandler Reach,  near Red Mountain at the far eastern end of the Yakima Valley which is, like, 2 miles from where Mike and I grew up and worked until May 2010.  Seriously, it is a small, small world.  This winery in Port Angeles has beautiful intimate gardens and sheltered sitting areas with gurgling water features.  Very lush.  Very peaceful.  Susan was picking up wine here for a friend, so it was a quick look; but we will definitely be back.

Looking forward to many more happy trails.