#hike33

i finally back hiking. t. and i have settled into our new flat, as has her kitty lady. the weather has been cooling down. it’s the start of rainy season. there are still fires all over the state, but they are slowly but surely being contained. we got outside today for a quiet hike as t. wanted to go back to forest park and complete the hike to pittock mansion. unfortunately the lower macleay and parts of the wildwood trail were closed due to construction. we only found out when we got to macleay park.

instead we went towards the zoo with an intended loop through the hoyt arboretum in mind. we started in the arboretum but soon found ourselves back in forest park. after a long while i didn’t know if we’d been following the route directly or not. later we saw a sign for pittock mansion, a mile away. we decided to go for it. there was some rain here and there on us, but is felt nice.

we then made it to the mansion. due to the weather mt. hood wasn’t visible from the grounds but t. appreciated the view and the various flowers. we eventually headed back down to complete the hike. we had seen a trail map earlier and decided on our route. we ended at the visitors center and took the free washington park shuttle back to the zoo. we stopped at the international rose test garden but eventually left as t. saw how massive it actually was. we were tired and wanted to stop a couple of places before heading home.

we both really enjoyed the hike. sometimes you can’t go by a map or a trail guide, you have to forge your own path. sometimes the trail doesn’t lead you were you think you’re supposed to go or where you want but you find so much more. hiking is so parallel to life. sometimes you just have to breath in the fresh air and keep going.

-n.