TRACTION

’Silver Bells’ 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLECnO5EaUU)

My phone told me this morning that there would be snow arriving Christmas Eve … or, Christmas Day. Reading that notice, I knew I’d need to find some kind of traction for my festive red leather boots.

I barely avoided a fall on my padded keister, a few days ago, when I stopped at Baker’s Corner before heading over the hill to Castle Rock. Though I’m a bit ‘fluffy’ – I’m not padded enough to avoid serious injury if I take a fall at my age; and it would have been painfully embarrassing, too (no pun intended).

I needed to go on the hunt for traction.

And, I figured if I’m out and about … a walk around the Lake would be prudent too: especially if that forecasted snow actually decides to make an appearance.

I wore my hiking boots today, so traction was not an issue this afternoon 😉

The walk around the Lake was enjoyable – and decked out in festive ornamentation along the hiking route: at night, Lion's Island puts on a brightly lit light display ... but, I avoid night driving, now ☹

My holiday mood, in the city, is gaining traction 😊

Skeletal winter trees, seagulls, and geese across the Lake; the second half of the 4-mile Lake hike.

Lake Trail Map.

(https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Lake_Sacajawea_Loop_Hike) 

The 2nd Heron I saw as my hike started. This Great Blue Heron looked like a grumpy old man, hunched against the cold weather.

We can use some peace on Earth ... and it's on it's way; Lion's Island Holiday Banner.

Holiday cheer along the trail.

I like hearing the Church bells - they chime 1 chime for each hour; on the hour. 11 chimes this afternoon, while I was there. ‘I Heard The Bells’ song:

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

Ducks & geese; Washington Way Bridge.

Geese staying warm; Washington Way Bridge. A number of avian species, including ducks and geese, often stand on one leg to thermoregulate (control their body temperature) during cold weather by keeping more heat close to the body, the same way a person might wrap their arms around themselves when cold.

Heart garland tied around a tree trunk along the Nichols Boulevard side of Lake Hike.

Lingering Fall color, though the majority of trees are skeletal bare now.

Another decorated tree at the Sacajawea footbridge; Nichol's Boulevard side of Lake. The Sacajawea-with son, Pomp statue is located towards the middle of the Lake, across from R.A. Long High School.

R.A. Long High School (marked on map).

Snowberry bush; R.A. Long High School in background. Clusters of pure white snowberries appear in late summer and fall and last through much of the winter making snowberry one of the most appropriately named native shrubs.

Bela was at his usual station near the Japanese Garden bridge - doing his thing; posturing as the 'Count' 😉 Cormorants have feathers that become easily waterlogged, which allows them to dive deeper by preventing air bubbles from getting trapped underneath their feathers. This is one reason cormorants often stand with their wings widespread, drying their wet feathers after diving.

Shy little squirrel hides in the bamboo along the river's edge; must be this year's teenager.

A bit of a snafu ... Nichol's Boulevard & Ocean Beach Highway - upper end of Lake hike.

The geese begrudgingly parted way.

This is what caught my eye when I turned into the Lake area, off Ocean Beach Highway earlier; upper end of hike; Kessler BLVD.

More festive highlight in a bleak winter landscape; Kessler Boulevard.

’In The Bleak Mid-Winter’ song – Matthew Ward:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvCN1vfaaBk)

2nd squirrel bridge in Longview, located on Kessler Blvd. These little bridges sure gained traction here - there are 7 now.

(https://www.bendbulletin.com/lifestyle/travel-longview-wa-bridges-gap-between-people-and-squirrels/article_434a2e33-bb7c-5c86-9968-21f1ecbd12e0.html)

Oriental Japanese Maple bedecked with colorful balls & glitzy cones; Japanese Garden area along the Kessler Boulevard side of the Lake hike route.

Little squirrel hustling to get his tree pad, cozily padded for winter comfort.

That particular leaf didn't suit - so, he's revisiting Mother Nature's 'store' for something different. LOL

After my 4-mile hike, I added another mile of steps to find something slip-proof to put on the soles of my red leather boots; the slippery scare had more to do with wet/oily pavement … but with ice and snow on the breeze this weekend, I want to make sure I won’t be taking a tumble in the foreseeable future 😉

And because I didn’t want to go home and wash my sweaty hair before shopping, the stores were just going to have to take me as I was: it was 37-degrees outside – but the humidity was 86%. I needed the coat with the hood I was wearing to deal with the temperature/ward off an ear-ache due to breezes getting past my inner ear flap and causing pressure pain … but all that trapped heat inside my coat, as I walked, made me sweaty. And my hair looked like I’d brushed it with oil.

Fun hike - now I'm off to find some traction for my boots.

I do not want to repeat Saturday's slippery moment.

Traction apparatuses.

I had said – and posted – earlier this year, that “nothing could entice me to ever shop at Fred Meyers again” after they locked my bank account over a fueling dispute (their fault): but, Fred Meyers was the only store that had anything for the soles.

I wasn’t happy about that, but in considering they were my only choice, my mind asked if my pride was more important than saving my bacon; the need to save my bacon won the inner argument 😉

Safe now, I hope.

I also bought some earmuffs I hope will cut down on the humidity sweating while hiking in cold weather.

So, I found the skid-proof apparatuses at Freddies … but, I drove across the street to Safeway to fill the gas tank 😊 

MORNING HIKE/NOON ACTIVITY/EVENING REVELATION

I was walking the Lake Sacajawea hiking trail at 8:35 AM this morning 😊 

Lake Hike Map, in its entirety.

There were quite a bit of people doing the same - I was surprised; but it was nice to see people WITH FACES!

Watching the animals was fun.

And the bathrooms were open 😊

What a nice surprise! It looks like Cowlitz County is lessening its restrictions.

(Phase 3 still possible for Cowlitz despite recent rise in COVID ...)

I don’t know if our region is actually in stage 3, or not, but I do know that the people here are fed up with the government nonsense.

The Christmas decorations were coming down on Lion’s Island, too.

Christmas Decor coming down on Lion's Island.

The peace sign was an ironic twist to yesterday’s DC farce.

With the illegal and wicked obama-clinton-pelosi-biden-harris thug cartel ensconced … there will be no ‘peace on earth’ from here on out. barak hussain obama and his hack obamanites declared open war on America and Americans in 2009 … and he has done his devilish best to destroy the foundation of America; the latest bit of devilry being his pets, dementia boy biden, and hyena cackling man-neck harris. This latest demonrat debacle is not a win for biden – it’s a 3^rd coup for obama: all out war on America and legal Americans.

America was dealt a deathblow yesterday.

And you know what?

I’m not even as upset as I should be … I’m kinda happy I’m closer to getting Home today than I was yesterday.

My kids and grandkids have tuned my warnings about the demise of America, out: they have never heard a word I said. They told me “The history of America is no longer relevant”: and they actually believe that.

They don’t hear a word I say; ungrateful bastards.

My kids are legal … but their hate for America makes them illegitimate squatters in America. They have raised their children to hate America; which also makes the grandchildren bastards. This makes me sad – but it is their choice.

They have gone out of their way to make sure I know they voted for/support that thug cartel. I am done wasting my breath on them.

As with all brats, my policy is that if you warn them over and over again; and they continue their bratty behaviors … step back and let them suffer the consequences of their actions. This makes me sad, but it is their choice.

They have chosen a way of life that excludes me. They have chosen to follow a political party that tells them to cut ties with me: to harass me, to belittle me, to mock me, to kick me out of their lives.

For my own sake, I have to let them go … to suffer the consequences of their choices.

I have held on far too long to people who only hurt me.

I’m tired of being hurt.

I’m glad to be back walking, again.

Walking may not solve my problems … but walking works the kinks out, settles the spirit, and soothes the senses 😉

Geese debating the muddy water situation.

The muddy water and the geese debating getting in it – or not; made me think of the ‘Muddy Water’ song … and the sleezy politicians that threw America away yesterday, and threw Americans under the proverbial bus.

I can’t help it: the farce rankles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FItq1GqtelA

Squirrels. Bob would have enjoyed this moment.

Geese and ducks gobbling saturated worms.

Duck with a yellow striped head - a wigeon crossbreed.

Greater White Fronted Geese in forefront ... regular geese in the background.

Seagulls.

Olivaceous Cormorants; the Japanese Garden in the background.

So far as I know, the Japanese Garden is still closed; there is no reason to close it due to covid as its an open air ‘sanctuary’ … but nothing makes sense anymore.

Walked lower 2.3 of lake Hike. Only saw 1 mask in 3 dozen people.

I only did 2/3rds of the hike; and walked the upper portion of the trails, to keep to level ground for the time being: doing my best not to screw my back or leg up again – I have plans for lengthy Spring Daytrips drives and hikes 😉

Lake Hike Map; the portion I walked this morning.

People are not going to accept another 2 year government lockdown.

The walk at the lake actually went well – even with the visual references to losing our great Nation. Aside from the mental pricks, it was pretty easy walking.

When I got home, I started knitting up my design; it will go slow because I am using bobbins instead of doing jacquard work. I like jacquard, but I am not good at it – it always looks clumsy. So, I prefer working with bobbins, which takes twice as long: but the work is neater and looks more proficient.

And I found out there are wild horses up the Toutle!

((((Wow))))

What an evening revelation.

44 years of traveling this road with Bob by Harley’s, pickups, and cars … and we never saw 1 wild horse.

I am going to have to be more alert while driving that road: the wild horses (that I never knew existed) roam free range, and could do some serious damage if they shied … and were to be hit with a vehicle.

They are beautiful – but they can also become deadly.