“They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty – and I will meditate on your wonderful works.” Psalm 145:5 NIV 

October 21, 2018

Ahhhh, the Stunningly Beautiful, Intoxicating Pacific Northwest on a crisp and Stellar Autumn day!!! Billfish and I opted outside to the woods today for an invigorating, Sunday hike in our alluring “backyard” – enjoying a 400 foot elevation gain, 5 1/2 mile loop nearly to ourselves.

The Redmond Watershed Preserve is comprised of 800 acres purchased by the City of Redmond in 1926 from Weyerhaeuser. This park’s trails are multi-use and popular for hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. We saw only three other walking couples, three horses and their riders plus one lone runner. We strolled through second-growth forest of Douglas firs, cedars, cottonwoods and our pathway was blanketed in gold courtesy of the multitude of maple trees’ shed fall leaves. The ground was covered in Oh So Many sword ferns and trees covered with moss transformed our enchanted forest into a bewitching Dr. Seuss land! We breathed in the smell of fir trees, delighted to the chirping of birds and smiled at the nut chomping squirrels who paused not a moment in our passing. I had hoped to see an owl, perhaps some beavers and at least a deer or two, but if they were among the dense forest, they were elusive. In July a family reported happening upon a mama bear and three cubs!!

Regardless, our senses are filled and we are refreshed!  And we enjoyed an Ah-Ooh-Ah Kirkland sunset from our home sweet home!