2017-12-09 47 -122

Location

On the paved path next to Lake Washington Blvd, just south of Mount Baker Park.

Participants

Coyotebush (talk)
Thomcat

Plans

An hour's travel each way by either bus or bike. Tentatively aiming for a 4pm meetup, but given that sunset is at its earliest of 4:17pm I would also be happy to go earlier. Coyotebush (talk) 02:19, 9 December 2017 (UTC)

Will probably be after 5 for me; gotta clear customs first. Always happy to join a Saturday meetup! --Thomcat (talk) 04:54, 9 December 2017 (UTC)

Expedition

coyotebush

This morning I decided that trying to coordinate schedules with Thomcat would be a little too hard, and that I would much rather visit in the daylight anyway. Sorry, Thomcat, hope to meet another time! With that decided, I was aiming for early afternoon, but by the time I had finished a lazy morning and talked myself into the bike ride it was nearly 3. I put some air in the tires and set off at a comfortable pace in the 41 degree weather. The sun was settling into a newly developed haze over the city.

I last visited Lake Washington Blvd in July while participating in a "bike bingo" scavenger hunt. Today I tried a new southbound route via the University Bridge and Boyer Ave, but found it not especially appealing. After a few short pauses along the lake shore, I arrived at the point minutes before 4. I took pictures of the area but didn't linger long. The numerous runners passing by must have been puzzled.

Took the bike, running slightly early for 4. -- Coyotebush (talk) @47.6121,-122.2814 15:36, 9 December 2017 (PST)

Made it right on time. Heading back now. -- Coyotebush (talk) @47.5795,-122.2840 16:08, 9 December 2017 (PST)

Rather than attempt the full return trip immediately, I made a stop at the Leschi Starbucks to warm up with a drink and a snack.

But first, a warm drink. -- Coyotebush (talk) @47.6020,-122.2852 16:24, 9 December 2017 (PST)

Evening faded to night as I continued north. This time, I chose the Montlake Bridge to catch the Burke-Gilman trail farther east. With one more stop for groceries, I was home again by the time Thomcat arrived at the point. Good job finding my tiny lake rocks in the dark.

Thomcat

My initial thought was an excellent Saturday expedition, and a chance to visit Genesee Park in daylight. Then I consulted my flight schedule and factored in customs... nighttime again. Something about these northern latitudes.

Cleared customs, sorry I missed you. -- Thomcat (talk) @47.4428,-122.3010 17:21, 9 December 2017 (PST)

I drove from the airport, completing an as-the-crow-flies distance of 8191 km from where I woke up this morning. This looks to be the second longest distance traveled to a Saturday meetup.

Genesee park again! -- Thomcat (talk) @47.5661,-122.2795 18:00, 9 December 2017 (PST)

After driving by the park in the dark (without a man named Clark) I found a place to park. With my flashlight, I found what should be the proper tree, but did not spot the cairn. Well, I looked online while waiting to deboard and saw a pile of rocks - how hard should that be to spot? After wandering back and forth and checking the neighboring trees, I finally did spot the cairn... of pebbles.

I took a few photos and skedaddled home for a long sleep. This was my 256th expedition, and 22nd Saturday meetup.

Tracklog

coyotebush: 19.4 miles on Strava

Photos

Rainier was out, though Baker wasn't
Trusty conveyance
By way of a marker, I built a very small cairn next to a tree on the road side of the path.
Phone says it's somewhere near the road
eTrex says it's down at the shore
Road to the north
Road to the south
Shore to the north
Shore to the south
Lake to the east
Hasher to the west
Fuel for the return ride
Was expecting larger rocks - foot for comparison @47.5795,-122.2839
View of Mercer Island @47.5795,-122.2838
Geohasher @47.5795,-122.2838