When your day begins with not being able to locate the Northwest Forest Pass you just bought two weeks ago, and you're one of those people who does not - DOES NOT -lose things, it may be an indication that staying home is the wisest choice. This was one such day.
After going through the house, both cars, and the RV several times each, it was finally determined that the pass was good and truly gone, and we left a half hour later than planned, delayed further by having to stop along the way to acquire another NWF pass. (I kind of hope we never find the original because, as illogical as it may be, that will make me madder than losing it to begin with.)
The morning trifecta was that the forecast had been for nice weather, and we figured it would be even nicer east of the mountains. WRONG. It was gray, misty rain everywhere.
After a bumpy ride in, TBGuide sussed out the way to go. We had originally thought that we might attempt to go all the way to Spectacle Lake, but the morning's delays and the soon-to-be discovered trail conditions made it quite clear we'd be lucky to last to
Pete Lake.
There were lots of pretty flowers, so there's that.
The first views were of very clear green water. We still had high hopes then.
TBG atop a high rock of hope.
The first few watery crossings weren't terribly bad, and the first one allowed us to walk around it,
but others required some rock-hopping.
Still others...well...you do what you gotta do.
Where there wasn't water, there was mud, and where there wasn't mud, there were snow patches.
There were pretty flowers, at least. So there's that.
We did manage to ford all the water obstacles, slog through the mud, and reach Pete Lake. On clearer days, those low clouds at the far end of the lake magically become a lovely mountain range. You'll have to use your imagination like we did. Pretend it's sunny and warm while you're at it.
TBG spied a good lunch spot up on another high rock of hope. From there we spied what appears in this photo as a tiny yellow speck but is actually a fisher person in an inflatable kayak. There must be some really tasty fish in there to lug that 'yak all the way to the lake in a cold, misty drizzle.
Our butts got cold sitting on the high rock of hope, so we didn't dawdle long over lunch. We took a picture for a group of girls who were camping just to the left of our lunch spot, and whose campsite we kind of tromped through to get to the lake.
For the last two or three crossings on the way back, I just walked in the stupid water and got my feet soaked. I was beyond messing around, being all dry and happy.
The drive back took forever due to extensive road work, and like last week, it was warm and sunny when we got home. We let the chickens out on the grass and sat on the deck, letting the sun chase the chilblains away and allowing that the day was not a total loss.
And there were pretty flowers.
So there's that.
