Ben and I tackled one of the Sumas Mountain trails a few Saturdays ago after finding the hike in Ken Wilcox’s Whatcom County. See also Kulshan.

It took us nearly 2¾ hrs to travel the 4½ miles and gain the 2500 feet to the lookout at the top; time down was roughly 2 hrs. It was a sunny day when we were there, so we spent an hour just sitting there at the top. From the lookout points, you can look down over the plains and into Canada.

We saw no people on the way up OR on the way down. That in itself was pretty stinkin’ cool. The first couple hundred yards of the trail are muddy (like, for reals), so be prepared. There may even be walking sticks at the trailhead (which is here).

Total round-trip distance for the most direct route to the top: 8½-9 miles.

There weren't any waterfalls, per se, but lots of forest (the trail does not intersect any of the logging areas). The hike is difficult in spots because of downed trees, but with the storms last winter, I think trees will be a common obstacle on trails this year.

Today was the first major (to me) ride of the season. I even pumped up the tires on the fancy-pants road bike and donned the silly bicycle gear.

Using Google Maps as a basis, I went about 24 miles. I only gotta do 8 of those in a 2-day stretch to reach my summer goal.

So as long as the weather plays nice, I’m back, baby.

There are new Silhouette posts up.

You may even recognize at least one of the contributors.

I don’t remember where I got this from (if it rings a bell, please comment), but it seems as profound now as when I heard it the first time. I absolutely believe this:

A true friend is someone with whom you can comfortably occupy the same room without having to speak.

That is, silence is comfortable and not awkward. Speaking is not necessary; speech might even be unwelcome.

One of my favorite memories is the time a few of us met over at a friends’ house for a evening of reading books. By the time I arrived, the kids were in bed, and readers were already sprawled about on comfy chairs with books in their laps. We didn’t talk much, but that was part of the point. Simply being together was enough.

I am not perfect. Duh. But I’m not the cause of all your problems, either. Do not blame me for your ignorance.

I am not perfect. If I haven’t already, I may yet hurt you, cause you to stumble, and/or generally annoy you. When this happens, the situation will not likely be fixed unless you tell me about it. Sharing with someone else before I get a chance to make it right will only stand to 1) embarrass us both and 2) alienate me from you.

Let’s be friends. I respect and love you. Please respect and love me back.

Munchies: $7
Bottle of Port: $15
Cigars: $20
MP3 player with portable speakers: $400
Bee-ess-ing with the roommates on the back deck on a cool, calm evening: priceless.

For everything else, there’s tomorrow.

Jim Carrey v. Adam Sandler: Carrey wins.

In Living Color v. Saturday Night Live: SNL wins.

Kate Winslet v. Drew Barrymore: Push.

New York v. Hawaii: N/A.

Elijah Wood's Patrick v. Sean Astin's Doug: Doug.

Tom Wilkinson (link) v. Dan Akroyd: Wilkinson.

Kirsten Dunst.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind vs 50 First Dates. ESSM by a mile.

One of the funniest lines I remember from M*A*S*H:

Father Mulcahy: Klinger, I thought you were an atheist.
Klinger: Gave it up for Lent.