Inside an Iris

I noticed that our mini Iris had bloomed and the insides were so beautiful, I tried to zoom in with my cell phone and see how it did. I was pleased with the photos.

The photos are best viewed full screen, click on the photo or zoom in depending on your device.

Full Iris photo

Zoomed in photo of the inside of the Iris

Another Iris photo

Zoomed in photo of the inside of the Iris

Zoom in photo of the beard of the Iris

and another photo of a mini Iris just because😀

 

North Cascades Hwy: OPEN!

The North Cascades highway opened yesterday at 10 am, so we decided to get our first of the season "over the pass" drive in. I was surprised at how low the snow was along the road at Washington Pass.

The opening of THIS pass allows travelers to complete the beautiful Cascade loop scenic drive.

As we drove through the tunnel I was excited for the views ahead.

Near the top

Washington Pass

First view of Liberty bell

Heading down to the east side.

After a quick stop in Winthrop, we turned around for our return journey.

I just had to photograph the mirror at our restroom stop in Winthrop.

Winthrop is a western themed town, so this was fitting.

I took all of the "travel" photos inside of our vehicle as we were moving down the road. I was surprised there weren't too many blurry photos. I wanted to get a photo of the beautiful Balsamroot flowers in bloom near Winthrop, not too blurry except the flowers. Oh well at least the pop of yellow is visible.

Heading back to the west side.

Always love the views along this particular pass

 

Sewing, Hiking and Scoutina

 Saturday was a catch up on my sewing day. I'm still slowly sewing this years Indigo Way Mystery Quilt. I finished block A, now I'm tackling Block B.

Stack of finished Block A's

Test Block B

Assembly line production for Block B

I got a lot accomplished on the quilt blocks so that made me happy.

On Sunday we went for a hike along the Stillaguamish river near Arlington. It was a glorious blue sky day.

Stillaguamish river beside the trail

Licorice ferns climbing up the tree

View from the Railroad bridge

We took a rest break at the Quilt barn (Trafton Trailhead park). 

This barn is part of the Stillaguamish Valley Quilt trail.

There were a couple of picnic tables near the trail, so we enjoyed the sun's warmth while we ate some snacks.

Our view while we sat.

I took a zoomed in photo of these tiny daisies

As we were getting ready to begin our journey back we noticed 3 deer in the large field to our right, they came near and walked across the trail right in front of us.

Last but not least, our sweet girl is two today, can't believe it's been nearly a year since we picked her out at the local humane society.

The new Chanterelle trail

 Today we decided to hike the North Lake Whatcom trail, which is just over 6 miles total out and back. What we didn't know was the trail is still closed at the second bridge at about the 2 mile mark. Since we planned on going farther than the trail closed spot, we took a turn and headed up the new Chanterelle trail. Our turn around would be at the new view point. We haven't been up this section yet and were excited to begin our journey.

Roots around a stump

Baby ferns

Boardwalk to the lake

Entrance to the trail now known as the Hertz trail

Merganser and reflection

Trail alongside the lake

Bridge at the one mile mark

Looking up at the rock cliff beside the trail

Heart rock on the trail

Oops dead end at the 2 mile mark

The photo below shows a peek of the bridge with a big red stop sign on it

Beginning our upward journey

A large beautiful conk

The conk from a different angle

My husband counted the steps on our way down

288 steps from the view point

Making our way to the view point

Such a nice area for lunch.

Great view of Lake Whatcom

Making our way back down. I was concerned about how our dog would do going down the steps. I didn't know if she would think it would be great to drag my husband down or not.

Turns out he kept her on a short leash and she behaved her self. 

Remarkable!

It was more of a hike than I'd planned on. I didn't bring my trekking poles which would have helped me greatly on the uphill's. Going up and down the steps brought their own fun to this unique trail. I'm glad we got an opportunity to try this first section of the new trail.

 

Total miles hiked: 6.6

Total ascent: 1051 feet