View of Mount Shuksan

The weather was perfect today for a trip up the mountain. Arvin, Helena and I took off around 11 and headed up. I always forget how long a drive it is to get to Artist Point where you can see both Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan on either side of the trail. Before heading up the switchback you can stop near Picture Lake to see Mount Shuksan reflected in the lake. And you can see another view in another pond nearby. That view, the one here, is one of the most photographed spots anywhere and pops up sometimes with another name in lots of places. In other words, people use this photograph to portray other mountains. I've come upon it and it feels very strange when that happens. It is a really beautiful spot. On up the road at Artist Point you can see Mount Baker. I did a panorama of six or seven shots using my telephoto lens. I've posted that in the extras.

On the way down the mountain, we stopped at Refugio Country Italian Cuisine for a very late lunch. Helena had a stuffed pancake from the brunch menu. Arvin had an egg, potato and corned beef dish from the same menu. I had a really amazing grilled cheese sandwich from the lunch menu. All the food was delicious as usual and we got to talk to our friend Richard who owns the place.

While we walked and took in the amazing beauty of this wonderful place where we live, we took a few moments to think of the event 15 years ago today, a truly heart wrenching time here in this country.