Yesterday, my extended gang of hoodlum friends and I climbed up Mt. Si.

Only 45 minutes from Seattle and open even during parts of winter, it’s a great hiking location making it a local favorite for Puget Sound habitants. I’ve been going up every year since 2005 and I truly enjoy this mountain hike. You can see Bellevue from the top and, on really clear days, Seattle.

 

I had a rare Friday off of work and there was no way that I was going to waste it at home! Thus! A trip outdoors was in order! The weather was a lot warmer and more pleasant than I had hoped it to be and we were able to gather together a lot more of my dear companions that I had thought possible.

After a nice lunch at the bottom of the mountain, we made our leisurely climb up the steep mountain. Boy, am I out of shape. Even The Penguin fared better than I did! I made it up to the top but there is an apparent need to expand my exercise regiment. Now that it’s summer I’m thinking that cycling is in order. But I digress…

 

It’s kinda amazing how shared misery can bring people together and encourage others to greet complete strangers. Knowing that the other had gone through the same suffering creates this invisible bond that can never be broken. I joke about it being a painful hike - and yes, to some extent it is - but it truly is good and fun. And nowhere near as difficult as Mount Doom!

The grueling hike to the top was most definitely worth it. The view still amazes me each and every time I go. The beauty of Creation truly does testify of the Creator.  Rabenstrange, Honeybee, and myself broke away from our weary companions and took the opportunity to take tons of photos.

   

The camaraderie on the way up and down was superb. I love the opportunity to be able to spend time with my dear friends. Days like yesterday makes the whole week worth it.

Next time I go, I want to go to the absolute top! To the top of ‘the haystack.’ Also, I’d like to take a detour to the creek. Each time I’ve been we manage to skip those two. And! I want to eat lunch at the top too! Well the summer is young and there’s plenty of time for all that.

Thankfully this time around we didn’t nearly get ourselves killed. Rabenstrange did however try to get me all excited whenever we passed a semi which I’ll admit worked to some extent.

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