Horseshoe Bend trail

Today we decided to do the Horseshoe Bend trail. Most of the online links only talk about going in about one and a half miles at the most and then turning around. The trail does continue farther, however. I hiked this trail with the Senior Trailblazer group in July of 2014. You can read that post Here, On that day we went about four and three quarters miles for the days total.

We are still enjoying our beautiful "Sunny" Pacific Northwest weather, which made the scenery just that much prettier. 

The differing light during the day changed the water from Blue to Green as we walked along the trail.

The trail doesn't go under the bridge here, but to the left. I just liked the trail name on the bridge.

The first part of the trail goes along the Nooksack river.

At around a half mile there is a nice little bench near a tall tree to sit and enjoy the river while sitting in the shade.

A log covered with Twin Flowers.

Yikes this is a tall Devils Club.

The trail then begins to go inland a bit away from the river. There are a few short rolling hills along this section of the trail.

The photo below shows an interesting little sign we found on a tree. Apparently only this particular tree is important to the wildlife in this forest. Too bad, the other trees were pretty useful too, I'd say.

After we'd hiked about 2 miles we came to forest carnage, trees were down everywhere. Like the Pickup Sticks game we used to play as kids. We tried to find the trail, but it was hard to find. We did a lot of climbing over trees to find the trail to where I'd eaten with the Trailblazers 3 years ago. We didn't find it on our way in.

We continued on a narrow path we found after we'd worked our way through the forest carnage, to an old road. We placed branches on the road to mark where our trail was, so we could find it when we returned.

We walked for awhile along the road. There were alot of daisies, berries and foxglove along the way. So pretty.

After got back on the trail my husband went to work as the "Volunteer trail crew" trying to clear some of the branches off of the trail. It didn't make much of a dent in the overall scene, but at least the trail may be a bit more visible while people are trying to find their way. 

We stopped and had lunch at this lovely moss spot in the forest.

I looked up at the trees and I thought I saw a Moose. Can you see it??

Sure enough I did see a Moose, he's doing his best to camouflage himself by climbing up into a tree and covering himself with moss, so he won't be seen. Ha Ha!

As we made our way back to the trail after lunch, I spied the area where I'd eaten with the Trailblazers. Unfortunately the trail is lost to the storm damage and apparent years of neglect. 

Back on the trail and along the river for our return.

We roamed around on another old road that we found that connected into the trail, so we got in a decent distance on today's hike.

We earned our Trailblazing stripes today for sure.

Garmin stats:

Total miles hiked - 6.2

Celebrating the Fourth of July

My husband and I had planned on biking the complete Centennial trail - 60 miles on the 4th of July. We've done the trail in sections before, but never the full distance. I was really looking forward to doing it, but sometimes plans go a different route. Our dog started not feeling well a few days ago, without going into too much detail, he had issues going on at both ends. I know TMI - yuck. I'm thinking the heat is getting to him a bit. We decided we should stay home, since it would be a long day alone for him if we did the trail, and this way we could keep an eye on him to see just how he's doing. 

Since my mind was set for a 60 mile bike ride, I decided to do it at home on our stationary bike. I'd only biked 50 miles or more 2 times before this, the first time was April, 4, 2010: 62.4 miles. The second time was August 22, 2010: 50.3 miles.

Moose (the dog) kept me company for awhile during my ride, he's that dark thing on the floor below my bike. Thankfully, he had a good day. Not so much the night, but that's the way it is for animals on the fourth of July isn't it. My husband had to sleep on the couch with Moose right next to him on the floor to keep him from whining and pacing from the fireworks going on around us in our area. The answer to your unasked question is: NO Moose is NOT allowed in our bedroom.

I took a BeetElite and gathered my magazines, music (playlist), all of my electrolytes: Nuun in my water, Salt Sticks, Shot Bloks and snacks all put together and hopped on the bike. I've had issues with cramping in the past, especially on long, hot workouts. Since I've started using Salt Sticks I've had less cramping during & especially at night after my events. Such a wonderful thing to find something that really helps. My plan was to ride for 2 hours take a break, and ride for 2 hours again for 3 sets, my goal was to ride the 60 miles in 6 hours. That would be about a 10 mph average. Our bike stops at 100 minutes so I kept a pad and pen ready to write down my stats whenever in timed out. Thank goodness for calculators.
Here's a breakdown of my day w/a few photos of me as I'm pedaling along. - 
@1 hr. I was at 10.9 miles.


@2 hrs. I was at 22.2 miles
The first two hour break, time for lunch! We don't have air conditioning in our house, so I was nice and warm and dripping. 😅

I reached the 30 mile mark or 1/2 way point in 2 hours and 45 minutes. If we'd biked the trail we would be looking for a nice cafe to eat our lunch at before returning to Nakashima barn. Since we've biked sections before, it was fun for me to picture in my mind just where I'd be on the trail.

@3 hrs. I was at 33.4 miles
I'm so glad I had some good tunes to listen to, it really helped my adrenaline on those tired moments.

@4 hrs.I was at 43.76 miles
My second two hour break, boy was it nice to walk around and give my legs another motion other than going round and round. When I was at about mile 48 I realized I would have been near the ArMar trailhead, we had biked 25 miles to there in June so it was fresh in my mind. At that time we did and out and back from Nakashima barn. I got very excited and realized I really was going to get my 60 miles done. It's interesting how just one thought can change your energy level.

@5 hrs. I was at 54:86 miles
When I had reached almost 59 miles by the 5 hour mark I knew I would finish in under 6 hours, so I decided to ride a little harder than I had, just to see what I had left in me. My average up to that point had been just under an 11 mph pace. I was pleased to do my last 5.14 miles in a 12:26 mph pace. 

@5:25:09 Mission complete: 60 miles!! I averaged 11 mph for the day. 
Sorry about all of the selfies, but a ride inside just doesn't have the views an outdoor ride has. I thought that by adding them in it would show the feelings and emotions of my journey. 

*We also had checked out Artist Point on Monday. They had just opened the gate a few days prior. Wow!

So many things to celebrate this week.

*On the celebrating note. I have another reason to celebrate. I've been having some foot issues for quite a long time now. I went to the Dr. today and found out that all I need is full foot orthotics. I've been wearing 3/4 length ones for years now, apparently they haven't been addressing what's been going on with the front of my foot. I was so relieved that this was an easy solution. Our minds can generate some unpleasant scenario's can't they.