Day 27: Home to Cottage Lake, Woodinville

 Highlights:

Today had a practical goal – to walk to Cottage Lake in Woodinville to help Don with his maiden kayak voyage and to get some, not all, miles in for Day 27. 

On the real Camino, I would have travelled 14.3 miles from Triacastela to Barbadelo, visiting the Benedictine monastery of Samos, and feeling the excitement of new pilgrims joining the path in Sarria.

As I have come to experience over and over, my expectations were greatly exceeded as Google maps led me on a different path that captured my interest the whole way.

Near home, I started with my old friend the Kirkland Cross Corridor trail and walked to what usually is my turning around point on my pre-Fauxmino morning walks.  There I began new territory, passing by my Fiat dealership, where I looked for more versions of my little car that still delights me.  I saw signs of our Covid times with middle and elementary school signs that normally would be announcing meet the teacher nights.  Instead they talked about schedules for picking up online kits and where to find curriculum.

I passed a clearly well-used outdoor tiny library that I have seen in several of my urban walks. I continue to be grateful for the fresh air and post-rain smells of rich earthy flora. I was surprised to cross two familiar trails as I walked under the Tolt Pipeline and passed Sammamish River Trail – see Days 12 and 1, respectively.  The latter runs beside Woodinville’s winery region, notably Chateau Ste-Michelle, and the lovely Willows Lodge its spa and Barking Frog gourmet restaurant.  

I came to a narrow pedestrian crossing where a young couple donned their masks and stood aside as I walked by.  I thanked them and they said: “Of course.”  I was moved and filled with gratitude for this simple gesture.   

I carried on to the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Woodinville.  Winding, hilly country roads lined with huge evergreens were surrounded by sprawling deluxe ranch homes with covered horse arenas, pastures, park-sized private children’s playgrounds, and basketball courts.  Sprinkled in with the mansions  were more modest homes, one with a small apiary (also known as a “hobby hive).  

The last two miles took me back to the major but still country Woodinville-Duvall Road, where I trained for that other great idea (first marathon) in early morning traffic in 2002. I was reminded of why I love this route as I watched horses grazing and chickens with a very large turkey before I completed 11.4 miles to Cottage Lake Park, close to our original Seattle neighborhood.

Don and my friend Carol joined me where we all prepared our kayaks for water.  The routine for blowing up kayaks is not hard but requires patience (and some science).  I had some challenges with mine this time (there was no arguing about this, nope, not a bit), including not sealing the bottom portion valve tightly enough and having to get back to shore before I sank.   Before long, the three of us were reveling in the glass like lake surface as we commented on the homes and blow up trampolines and other toys on the many docks.

Day 28 will have me start yet another new trail:  The 24 mile Interurban (North) trail from Everett to Seattle. 

Stick around my lovely readers.  Eight more days until I finish the full route to the (faux) coast of Spain. ¡Buen Camino!