Snoqualmie Trail near Duvall

I went for another walk on the Snoqualmie trail. I was heading to a friends in Mt Vernon and drove through the Snoquamie Valley instead of on interstate. I really enjoy the Snoqualmie trail. It's so accessible. It's crosses through some great areas. I tease Alan about his 'boring' trains, but I like finding the train remnants. This part of the trail is near Duvall and was near the river and a wetland.

First thing I noticed was the Cedar Waxwings. They are everywhere of late. Of course I am also tuned into them too. They were busy flitting about giving their whistley call. Then I noticed the post. Alan could tell you what it was, I know nature not silly old trains. I still like the look of it and the reminder of the history of the area.

There was lots of Horse Tails lining the trail. Another reminder of history in a way. It's an ancient species. It's just such an amazing plant. I look at it and I think of dinosaurs walking the earth. So much has changed from that time, but that plant has stayed the same. And it doesn't need to change, it is such a healthy plant. I tried to find a good link, but mostly I came up with sites calling it a weed. It's one of the most widespread plants in the world and the fact it's considered such a nuisance is a testament to its vitality. I think they are beautiful

It was the first vascular plant plant to send green shoots up through the debris of Mt St Helens - Plants of the Northwest Coast, Pojar and Mackinnon

Look at the lines on the stem, wonderful markings

I didn't walk far, I had a long ways to drive and poor Coal's back has been bothering him. I got down to the Weiss Creek and turned around. I love the way they are labeling the streams now. It's this whole idea of watersheds. Making people realize that this stream is a small piece in a bigger picture. Giving people a sense of place and ownership. The creek itself was a small ordinary creek. I enjoyed it of course, but sometimes we need reminders that small and ordinary is part of greater things. Or perhaps what I'm really saying, is that greatness is built from the small and ordinary.