Two days by the lake.

Visiting Diablo Lake in the North Cascades National Park last weekend was pretty awesome. The lake is quite a sight, turquoise in color from minerals that wash down the mountains via melting snow each year. I've never seen anything quite like it. Neighboring lakes are also shades of blue and green, each taking on their own appearance from whatever is flowing into them when the sun comes out.

We spent two nights at a B&B just outside of the park. Quite frankly, I wasn't digging the idea of camping b/c there are black bears frequently seen in the park. Just one day before we left, a black bear was spotted hanging out at the trailhead we were planning to start a walk on. Forget that!

So, out of fear for our lives, we hiked alongside a naturalist in the area and also took a canoe tour of the lake. Other than the small group of 12 that we did both of these activities with, the lake was virtually free of other people. But, I digress. The water brought back some of the dizziness I've been experiencing (thanks to the old brain injury), so we decided to take a drive and gush over Highway 20's many viewpoints. Once again, I found myself wondering how we have the good fortune to have so many beautiful, natural spots so close by. Photos follow below...


Shawn ponders ordering some "bike food" at the B&B's restaurant.


Some of the old growth forest we hiked through...


Oh, sh*t, bears have been here!!! This tree shows evidence of claw marks.


The North Cascades looming over Diablo Lake.



We ate lunch right around this spot.


Our Subaru sitting at the viewpoint along Highway 20.


Ross Lake, a darker shade of blue than Diablo.


Capturing the view of Diablo from Highway 20.


From my vantage point... Seriously, how is this a mere 3 hours from our house?!


Shawn checking out a topographical map at the lookout.