Calm Under Tension by Gwen Gyldenege
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Gallery
    • Artwork
    • Costumes
    • Knits
    • Photography
    • Sewing
  • Projects
    • Sewing Challenges
    • Wardrobe Architect
  • Readings

Hiking Lake Blanca, Snoqualmie National Forest

9/4/2014

Comments

 
Beginning of August I went on a hell of a hike. Listed as 7.5 miles, 3300 ft elevation gain, Lake Blanca turned out to be 12.5 miles.  The elevation, probably ended up at net zero because it not only had a steep initial climb, but also had an equally steep decline to the lake. It was worth it though, when we got to the lake. 
Picture
Picture
For the hike, I wore the Peace Out Capris I made of swimsuit material and a blue wicking top, plus relatively quick-dry underwear.

I knew we'd go swimming, and I knew I 
wouldn't want to change into a swimsuit, nor wear the TYR racer back suit I own. So I wore only items I felt I could go from hike to swim to hike in without feeling uncomfortable when wet or sweaty. They worked great. Didn't dry out from the swim as fast as I'd like, but what standard swimsuit does? You always need to towel off a bit.  I'll remember that for next time.

Unfortunately, I've no photos of my outfit. But I can share the photo me wearing the same pants to the Electric Run later in August.

Picture
It was a glorious teal color - glacial lakes often take on such beautiful colors because they are so very cold.  We did go for a swim and it was freezin ass cold to swim in.  

We wandered out to swim, me, my hiking buddy, and 3 other unknown burly guys following us out on a giant log.  All 5 of us stood there.  Me the only girl and having swum in cold places before (ie the Puget Sound) I sat on the log getting my butt used to the cold.  The guys, still stood talking. In disbelief, I stared. They weren't going in. Neither was the guy I was hiking with. Odd. In that moment, I knew I'd be in the water before them. 

So I pushed off and sort of dove in. "AHHHHH, YEOW! HOLY SHIT! THIS IS COLD!"  escaped before I could control my screams of delight and shock.  Shortly there after the 3 burly dudes jumped in all a hootin and a hollerin.  Hiking buddy... still checking out the waters with his big toe. Not to be out done, he jumped in shortly there after.  Cold, but not so bad, right?!  We both had smiles on our faces after the swim and hanging out on these big ol logs.  An adventure to be sure. 
Picture
There were lots of people hiking this trail and many parts had very steep steps to climb. My hiking buddy lent me trekking poles and they made a huge difference on the uphill for me.  This trail kicked my ass.  Kicked. My. ASS!

Clouds, thunder, sun, lightening, humidity and heat. It was a tumultous day for the weather gods, but a glorious one to be out in the forest. I saw dutchman's pipe, mountain heather, round leaf orchids, and a few other interesting native wildflowers. I was really grateful for all the beauty I saw and kept reminding myself, "You Got This." And I did it.
On our "final decent back into Seattle" we happened upon the most jaw-dropping sunset.  I took the photo below from a car moving at 60 miles an hour. I was passenger, mind. Just LOOK at that Seattle Skyline.  And those rays are exactly as seen. No filter, no adjustments, no mods, no additions. Just as Nature Intended. 
Picture
Comments
    Gwen Gyldenege

    Author: 
    Gwen Gyldenege

    I'm a one woman circus.  
    I'm curvy and athletic.
    ​I am a dancer.
    My last name translates 
    to "Golden Oak". 

    I'm an artist, intuitive, engineer, seamstress 
    and performer.

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    She's The Golden Egg
    Sewing in Seattle

    Archives

    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    April 2009
    December 2008

    Categories

    All
    Activewear
    Adventures
    Art
    Artists
    ArtOfThe20sDress
    Calligraphy
    Cartoons
    Clown
    Comedy
    Costumes
    Creativity
    Crochet
    Dance
    Dancewear
    Dingleballs
    DIY
    Fabric
    Fashion
    Fiber
    Fitting
    Food
    Funkifabrics
    Garden
    Handwriting
    Hiking Gear
    Holiday
    Humor
    Inspiration
    Interviews
    Jalie 2795
    Jalie 2795 Hoodie Sew Along
    Jalie Patterns
    Jewelry
    KiddieAdultsUnite
    Kitchen
    Kits
    Knits
    Knitting Patterns
    Lifted Gifted Higher
    Lingerie
    Littlealters2013
    Mad Men Dress Challenge III
    Marketing
    MMMay14
    Moulage
    Muslin
    Needle & Thread
    Nwcreativespirits
    Outdoor Gear
    Paint
    Paper
    Passthepaper2012
    Pattern Drafting
    Photoaday
    Photography
    Pmc
    Prayer
    Projects
    Sculpt
    Sew
    Sewforvictory
    Sewing Workout Wear
    Sew News
    Shows
    Shrinky Dink
    Sing
    Skillshare
    Social Media
    Spring
    Spring Race Challenge
    Stories
    Tutorials
    Video
    Vintage
    Voiceover
    Wardrobe Architect
    Watercolor
    Yarn

Except for sources otherwise stated beneath images or bottom of the page (Creative Commons), all images and works are copyright Gwen Gyldenege, all rights reserved.  Contact Gwen to request permission.
✕