2016.1.30. Marriage of Figaro at Seattle Opera

Seattle Opera has a new artistic directory, Aidan Lang, after Speight Jenkins' 30 year reign. My first time to hear him conduct as well as speak. Marriage of Figaro is a new production brought from New Zealand Opera (where Lang was before coming to Seattle). I like the stage set: the sliding doors, the oval windows, I'm not too keen on the projection of the last scene: 2 curving walls with indiscernible patterns which is supposed to be a pine grove. Definitely a fresh look. I'm looking forward to seeing his other productions. BTW, this artical is an interesting read. I don't care for the costume: too grey. I especially like countess Bernarda Bobro's voice.

After the opera, we went to the Allen room for Q&A, led by the former education director, now caption titlist Jonathan Dean. Lang appeared in the middle and answered a few more questions. It's fun to listen to some of his thoughts in directing a drama like this.

2016.1.30. Snoqualmie basin snowshoe

1/30. Saturday. Mostly cloudy. Sunshine in Seattle, but light snow/hail at Snoqualmie Pass. Behind Alpintal Ski Area. Our goal today is to go over the ridge to Snow Lake - a very pretty lake in summer. However, it was too steep. We attempted at two places. I ended coming down the slope on my butt the 2nd: having trouble getting good footholds. Good adventure, and had worked out a sweat. Could see patches of blue sky from time to time, but never above my head. Quite some people here. Great scenery within 1 hour drive of the city.

On the way back, stopped by Snoqualmie Falls. Very touristy, but still pretty. The volume of the water is enormous.

2016.1.24. Wilson River trail: Jone's Creek <-> Kerning Creek

1/24, Sunday. Light rain at times. 19.4 mile out and back on a section of Wilson River Trail. My phone registered 48k steps. 18 people started shortly ~9:50am at Jones Creek TH, turned back at Keenig Creek TH, 6 finished at 5:30pm, another 6 arrived ~6pm. Some of us left before the last group showed up. It was quite dark already. View of water most of the way, a couple of single log bridges, small waterfalls. A pleasant hike all year around, and all weather. Just Tillamook Forest Center is closed in winter. For public that is. On our way back, the center was lit up, quite cute.

~3350' cumulative elevation gain at 2.5mph seems respectable, including a lunch break, my ~40 photos (mostly hurried), a few easy creek and mud crossings (from Wolf Creek to was officially closed due to storm damage, but we all went through that without trouble, twice). There're quite a number of old ladies in this outing, some look at least in their 60s, but no slower than I am. I'm the slower one in the first group, and the other 5 are all older than me. Well, a warning to my lazy winter self.

In comparison, almost exactly one year ago, I did a 16 mile one way hike from King's Mt TH to Keenig Creek TH.

2016.1.23 Herman Creek to Indian Point

1/23. Saturday. Rain. 8am meet-up for Bunker Hill with the Mazamas. It turned out that the hiker leader didn't expect the road condition, and most people's car couldn't get to Bunker Hill trailhead. 4 of us decided to checkout and went on a hike our own. It turned out to be okay. Rained most of the time, but not too bad. Not much of a view. Since I knew the other 3 women, and we have similar pace, and not too far off in age, the hike and conversation was enjoyable. Lots of down trees at the upper half of the trail. Storm last November? At least made this trail a bit more interesting. Got quite dirty though. Quite some snow/ice in the last mile. 7 miles RT. On the way back, saw a few hikers in jeans and sneakers with no rain gear at all.

2016.1.17. Great Expectation at Portland Center Stage

Dickens' Great Expectation, adapted by Seattle's Boot-it theatre, played by Portland Center Stage. The play centers at Pip's personal growth, rather than career growth. Emphasizes his encounter of the escaped prisoner, his relationship at home with the brother-in-law, his infatuation of Estella. His life in London is fast-forwarded. In a 2 hour play, this approach makes a reasonable complete story.

Good acting. Same stage set used in different scenes, with credible result. Overall, very enjoyable.

2016.1.17. Snowshoe Race at White River Canyon

1/17, Sunday, rain - snow - rain, non stop. Despite of the weather 14 women showed up (18 signed up), as well as hundred of others. Many compete in race of 8K or 4K. The first place of 8Km finished in 48.5 minutes by an 50 year-old. 2nd place is a lady, in 52'. The first place of 4Km finished in 23' by an 18 year old, 2nd place is a 15 year-old, finished in 27.5'. Some are in the race for the fun, walking slower than me. We had lunch off the right of the main trail (marked by orange flags). Some fed the birds. After lunch, 4 of us walked up to the top of Boy Scout Ridge. Too bad, no view to speak of, so we didn't continue. Snow is reasonably soft, and it was easier to come down on my butt than on foot. Saw a group of boy scout camping, and an igloo they built; a few campers hauling firewood up; many kids playing snow.

2016.1.16. Snowshoe to Tamanawas Falls

1/16, Saturday. Rain non-stop. Waterfalls amidst snow and ice is always a treat. Tamanawas Falls ~4 miles RT, is such an easy example.Snow is pretty thick all along, even though it's been warm this past 2 weeks. The trail is beaten down by boots, so no need for snowshoes. I wore them anyway, so I can cut across the trees. There are 2 significant bridges, one right at the trailhead, over East Fork Hood River, one over Cold Spring Creek.

About 20 of us did this hike (31 signed up), parking right by the road (Hwy 35, snow free/plowed). Some are very slow. I had to wait for an entire hour for my driver to return. So glad that I took an umbrella to this hike. Since many of the participants are photographers, the two good photos (to the right) are their. I'm in the first photo, having trouble operating my phone camera (screen wet + cold hand).

2016.1.9. Trillium Lake snowshoe

Saturday, cloudy with a bit of snow. 6 of us snowshoed to Trillium Lake. Despite of the unfavorable weather (Sunday would be sunny, when you would be able to see Mt Hood), a lot of people were here: on snowshoes, on cross country skis, or just their hiking boots. The road and main trail is packed down enough, that regular hiking boots are sufficient. We were slow going (multiple stops), got to the parking lot at almost noon, and it was completely full. So we parked at Snow Bunny across Hwy-26. Half of my group walked through forest, making use of our snowshoes. Untouched snow, frozen creeks, much prettier. My half arrived at the lake sooner, had lunch and fed the birds at a dock next to a campground. By the time the other half (walking along Trillium Lake Road) arrived, I was getting a bit cold, so I walked west across the lake and back. That wasn't enough for two of them to cook their coffee and hot chocolate. So I walked across the lake again to a different spot, found the other camping area with picnic table and a closed toilet building.

We stopped at Wraptitude close to Mt Hood Village for some wraps. It was suggested by a couple we met on the trail. The restaurant is decorated with skis and surf boards, and many stickers. Food is quick, but took forever to pay.

2016.1.1. Easy Snowshoe near Whistler

2016 New Year's Day is a gloriously sunny winter day. Four of us went snowshoeing in Whistler. Brandywine Falls is an easy 0.5km walk. Didn't need snowshoes. This is my favorite falls in the area. Fun to compare its summer self in my blog of last August.

Just north of Whistler Village is Green Lake. Again, it's fun to compare with its summer self in the same blog.

My main objective is to look for Parkhurst ghost town north of Green Lake. Direction is clear. Found an abandoned trailer on the way to the Paintball parking lot. Found the Green Lake Loop / Parkhurst turnoff without problem. All is flat and easy. Then it's all in the woods, and going up. My relatives soon lost interest. I proceeded 10 minutes further up, didn't find the east turn for the ghost town, returned as we are loosing day light soon. On the way back, stopped at Whistler Village for a bathroom/coffee break. Very busy and colorful.

Whistler is about 10°C colder than Vancouver. In the sun, it doesn't feel cold. Christmas/New Year time is super busy and lodging opportunities are slim.