Day 46: October 22

10.22.06
Today we left Portland. Paul & I started the day off feeling pretty lazy as neither of us has done any hiking recently (what has it been, 11 days?). To work the junky muscles out, we took a leisurely 13 mile stroll around Mount Saint Helens. The gun fire we heard made us think it must be hunting season for either animals or humans (we saw neither on our entire hike).

Judging by the trees, autumn has caught up with us again. This area is so beautiful - it is quite clear where the landscape has changed due to the volcano (26 years ago).

~

...the blessings of one mountain day; whatever his fate,

long life, short life, stormy or calm, he is rich forever.

- John Muir, My First Summer in the Sierra