SPECTRUM

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrDkL-6jwik)

When I checked the phone this morning, I saw that steady rainfall is predicted to start around midnight tonight – and run through next Friday.

So, I put the notion of walking on the treadmill aside; and decided to walk a lap around the Lake downtown, instead.

I have dropped 6 pounds since getting my treadmill (and only eating one hearty meal a day), so I decided to see if my “1-size-down” charcoal-colored jeans would fit comfortably now. (((YES!))) They slid up right my legs and hips without having to wiggle and jiggle myself into them – and they settled nicely over my thighs and fanny; I did a happy dance for about 5 minutes before finishing dressing, and lacing my hiking boots on 😉

It’s been months since I’d given any thought at all to the Lake: I’ve only walked the Lake Hike twice this year! I’ve been on the road – exploring and enjoying new places – just about every day, until September.

The walk was due.

I stopped at Mr. Bill’s, and got a Pumpkin Spice latte; then nipped into Baker’s corner and was happy to see that the deli was up and running, again: I got 3 pieces of bacon, and 3 skinny jo’s for breakfast 😊

Reaching the Lake Park, I was able to find a parking spot off roadside, on the Kessler side of the Lake – I was thankful. I pulled my camo jacket on, belted my fanny pack in place, grabbed my walking stick out of the back end of the Horizon; locked the car, and started walking with joy juice in hand.

Walking along, sipping my latte, I noticed the grass was littered nicely with a golden carpet of fallen leaves.

Kessler Boulevard, Longview-WA

Fallen gold was littering the grass on Kessler Boulevard side of the Lake.

I was sipping my latte, and swiveling my head around to gladden my eyes with all the vibrant Fall foliage … when I happened to catch sight of Hotai Kazumi (or “Joe”, as he laughingly refers to himself among friends). So, I walked over to say “hi” to him.

I spotted Hotai getting ready to set his camera for some great shots.

We had a nice 20-minute chat. Joe is a professional photographer; he worked as a photographer in Japan for 40 years, before retiring in America. His pictures are amazing: and he is very friendly and personable.

Continuing along the hike route, I started feeling hemmed in as I neared the hospital area … I was in a wide-open space, but I really do not like passing by that hospital – we were always rushing Stacey to ER following her baby boosters (she nearly died the last time at age 3: she never got another childhood jab – for anything): and Bob spent a few months there too, in 1981: and again, from August 30^th to November 24^th, 2018, before he was shifted to OHSU and never came home again alive. I have no warm feelings towards that hospital.

As I was quickly rushing up the gravel path, past it, into the gloominess of the overlapping leaf canopy; I noticed bright red leaves intermingled among the darkening overhang.

It was dark under the trees near the hospital; but this red tree brightened things up.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8T1R2szl_M)

I snapped the picture, and scooted to a more relaxing section of the pathway.

The outside edge gravel trail at the Washington Way end of the Lake Hike, spurs off onto an inner bike trail – I took that spur. I had used my asthma inhaler before starting the hike … but I still avoid the traffic fumes whenever I am able to do so: that’s why I pretty much stick to the Pacific Way Trail along the backroad dikes, and rarely walk the Lake Hike.

Along this bike trail spur, there are metal planet plaques dotting the landscape at specific intervals. The plaque markers are measured to a smaller scale that matches the planetary distancing in outer space: the last plaque marker is at the other end of the Lake, near Ocean Beach Highway.

Making the 15th St. turn around the lake, the blooming yucca plants add contrast to the scarlets and golds.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77rinB5pYqA)

MAP Nichols Boulevard, Longview-WA

The walk was enjoyable; the afternoon was still a bit on the chill side due to the wet front looming on the horizon, but it wasn’t bone chilling. Actually, for me, the air temperature was perfect. Occasionally, the sun was peeking out of the shifting gray clouds.

I was smiling and nodding at the smiling and nodding strangers surrounding me as they also enjoyed the walk.

I was enjoying the fallen – and falling leaves – and found myself captivated by the picturesque symmetry of the Washington Way Bridge: it was just the way my eye saw it.

Silver and browns litter the grass on the Nichol's Boulevard side of the Lake.

Washington Way Bridge is open to traffic again, since the last time I was here, in July.

Beautiful symmetry; Washington Way Bridge.

I’m glad that my heart has healed to the point of where I can enjoy Fall again with all my senses. It’s been a long, hard, 37 months.

I am sure Yeshua and Bob and sharing an exuberant {high-5} in appreciation of my getting to this point 😉

This 2-tone tree reminded me of a flame.

On both sides of the lake, the trees are switching out their dresses ... and trying to out-do each other.

The tip of the lake's Pioneer Lion's Island.

LION'S ISLAND at Lake Sacajawea; the island was built by the city’s Lion’s Club in the 1960’s. People enjoy walking/fishing there – and every year, there is a large Christmas Lights display, and fireworks are set off there for a magnificent 4^th of July air show.

A bachelor mallard treading water ... pardon the pun 😉

This tree's leaves are barely hanging on ...

This White Ash tree will be the first to shed her dress after this year's Autumn Dance.

I took a side stroll through the flower garden; I wasn’t sure what I’d see there since most flowers have died off, but I smiled when I saw two flowering plants still in late blossom.

They are not ready to bow out of the Fall Party spectrum, yet.

This Floribunda Rose is fading slowly - hips are showing, but she's determined to age gracefully 😊

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_VlNGJvUwY)

A Black-eyed Susan - in full dress - is peeking shyly around the deadheads.

About now, I was a little over the half-way mark along the hike route.

Footbridge across from RA Long High School - this bridge leads into the 15th Avenue hiking loop.

Locations of Sacajawea Statue & Japanese Garden Island.

Sacajawea Statue at the school end of the footbridge.

Gorgeous maroon hued tree at the side of the footbridge.

I spent a few minutes reading the names on the brick pavement: I was trying to find the brick a friend of mine had bought and dedicated to his mother after she had passed – I never did find it, but I’ll look again, next time I walk the hike.

I started walking again, and sipping my latte, when … oh, my!

I came across a colorful spectrum of leafy bonanza!

I love color: and here was a carpet of Fall’s bejeweled colors, at the toes of my hiking boots.

My eyes were happy 😊

BONANZA!

A tiny bit of Elk Horn Moss - a pretty powder blue contrast to all the scattered jewel-toned leaves.

Senses rocking-and-rolling with sensory overload, I practically skipped along the trail as I moved forward.

The fanciful carpet of color – coupled with the spiced latte, was adding zip to my day; and making my steps pretty spritely 😉

Sighting signs of abounding wildlife was an added bonus.

These birdhouse columns are new; to me, anyway. They weren't here last time I was here, in July.

A flock of mallards, and a lone seagull.

Dark purple leaves - they leaned heavily towards black-hued.

A scampering cutie ...

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SRUrz4I54A)

Beaver gnawing activity ...

A beaver's fanciful romantic declaration?

Nearing the upper end of the Lake, I saw that the Japanese Garden was open, again.

And I saw geese, too; meandering around, and totally ignoring the background sounds of the busy traffic behind them.

The footbridge to the Japanese Garden - around the upper end, and on the opposite side of the Lake.

The simplicity of this just caught my eye ...

Canadian Geese at the upper end of the Lake – undisturbed by the busy activity on Ocean Beach Highway.

I startled a Great Blue Heron that was hiding in the tall grass along the lake's edge.

Ocean Beach Highway - upper end of Lake Hike.

Making the bend at the upper end of the Lake, I was in the final lap.

I turned at the Japanese Garden pathway: Bob always liked this side tour, and I do, too 😊

It’s pretty any time of the year … but it really vibrates with life in the Fall.

Ironic: isn’t it?

The Japanese Garden is open for foot traffic.

Entering a soothing zone.

Beautiful burnt orange foliage.

So relaxing.

This stone slab appeals to me.

I really enjoy strolling through this little habitat.

Exiting the Garden, I noticed that the gray clouds were effectively closing out the sun … and there was a definite nauseating odor drifting over from the mills on Industrial Way.

Time to beat feet for the car … and get my lungs safely home, away from the {environmental asthma} causing hazard.

Gray clouds were moving in; and the mill odor was getting strong. It was time to call it a day.

Industrial Way is at the riverside end of Washington Way that runs past the Lake Sacajawea Park.

Nearly 4 miles. That's a pretty fair hike.

I had spent 4 hours dinking around at the Lake, before the mill stench drove me back to the car.

The day really did unfold well; and ended well. I was glad I went 😊

Calories burned by the Mile (https://www.verywellfit.com/walking-calories-burned-by-miles-3887154)