It's easy to get stuck in the dreaming stage of traveling. Instagram is great at cultivating our envy and our wanderlust at the same time. But sometimes, for various reasons, be it no money, no time or no travel buddies, hopping on a plane to Bora Bora just isn't in the cards. But that doesn't mean you can't add the spice of adventure to your life. Sometimes you just have to seek out the adventure in your own backyard.
When I moved away to college four years ago, every summer I returned to Seattle I started the summer hiking season with a trip to Rattlesnake Ridge. As far as hikes go, it is relatively easy, a quick 5.1 miles out and back, no parking pass required and a beautiful view of a lake and mountains waiting at the top. Which means that if you don't go at the right time, the trail will be packed. Nevertheless it's become a tradition of mine to hit the trail on my return to Seattle.
This year was no different. My mom and I set off early Friday morning, having hatched the plan at 10:30pm the night before. Despite the late night and the weather forecast of rain and possibly thunderstorms, we decided that it was time for something different.
As soon as we reached the trailhead, it started dumping. But under the trees the rain didn't reach us and it helped deter other hikers. We had the trail almost to ourselves. There were some first-hike kinks that will need to be worked out. For instance, one of my shoes had a hole in the sole and my right foot was soaked for the entirety of the hike. My mom, despite the forecast, had forgotten a raincoat. And the pup, well he was having a great time.
We didn't have high expectations for the view at the top because of the rain and early start. But as we crested the ridge and scrambled out onto the rocky outcropping that overlooked the view, we got lucky. A strong wind kicked in and ushered the low-hanging clouds out of the valley in a swirling river. The lake shone turquoise as a ray of sun broke through. And the hills in the distance were left brooding in the last wisps of morning clouds.
We dinked around taking photos for a bit, hiked back down, toweled off the very dirty dog and grabbed a coffee for the drive back to Seattle. While it wasn't the coolest or the hardest hike I've ever been on, it was a great little break from the drudgery of the day to day. And a reminder that you can find adventure anywhere you choose to look for it.
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