CR2015: Rainy Day at Lake O'Hara, and a Show

It rained most of July 25th. It started out with a light shower at breakfast, followed by an interval of sunshine, but Joan and I had barely left the lakeshore on the West Opabin trail when the rains came and we made a major stop to don our rain pants and waterproof gloves.

The Opabin Plateau is our first choice for a rainy-day hike. It's not too far or too high, and there are plenty of trails (east side, west side, highline, prospect, and more) to indulge in. In fact, we have a favorite bunch of trees, near Hungabee Lake, to shelter behind for lunch. Today the rain kept intensifying, and the further up the plateau we went, the colder it got. After two hours in the rain my "waterproof" gloves were soaked. We visited Lake Opabin but did not stop long. By the time we approached our lunch tree, my hands were cold, and I suggested going straight back to the cabin to eat lunch instead. Joan agreed. Enough was, well, enough.

We did some reading during the mid-afternoon. When the weather cleared shortly before dinner, we took a walk.

There was much to see. The low angle of the sun pulled the details out of surrounding mountain faces. Note the watercourses tumbling down Mount Hungabee.

A closeup. Of some mountain. I forget which.

Others were enjoying the improved weather.

In July there is a lot of bird activity -- at this altitude and latitude it's spring, not summer. We enjoyed the frequent hermit thrushes, an uncommon sighting where we live.

I admired the look of these new canoes in the water.

After dinner it was time for a long-standing Saturday tradition at Lake O'Hara, the staff show. It opens with a musical number in which most staff members take part. A note on the colors in these pictures: there were colored lights on the second floor shining on the performers, managed by a "lighting director." Some photos show multi-colored shadows.

The opening and closing songs are the same during a season, but the other performances change each week. This time, two guys were playing emcee.

Fancy glasses, bro.

There's a ton of musical talent on display through several acts.

One musician played multiple instruments, including a hand organ.

One act was, what shall I call it? Blind hands? A sheet hides a second person behind the first. The front person can see, but his/her hands are hidden. The person in back can't see, but provides the hands. The person in front will say something such as, "time to put on my lipstick," and hilarity ensues.

It sounds simple and sophomoric, a single joke, but it's presented in one form or another in every show, and it always works. People can't stop laughing. Even me.

Another act was the Marmot Book Club, with four lady marmots. Guy marmots do not do book clubs.

The show ended with a big song, Lake O'Hara lyrics to the tune of Sweet Caroline. Tomorrow, we knew, the weather must be better.