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On Wednesday morning, I woke up to miserably pouring rain. Even the small amount of distance I could see yesterday was completely wiped out by low hanging clouds. It was pretty clear that I wasn't going to see much. But there were a few highlights.

Over at the Twin Firs trail, just inside the Nisqually entrance, I was treated to a bunch of beautiful trillium in bloom.

As in New Hampshire, the trillum here come in a white and a pink variety. While walking through the old growth forest where these flowers were blooming, I found myself thinking about Joomla again.

Some rules of giant trees

1. As a giant tree dies, but before it falls, it can leave a wake of destruction. This tree's bark has fallen off around it, making a huge mess at its base.

2. Even when giant trees are dead, they can remain standing for a very long time.

3. When giant trees do fall, other giants fall as well, due to the shallow root systems of these trees. They can also snap smaller trees in the area, causing lots of localized damage. However, when the giant trees are removed from the canopy over the forest, sunlight is allowed in, permitting smaller plants and young trees to grow where they might not otherwise.

4. The carcasses of dead giant trees are full of nutrients. Little trees sprout on top, growing to big trees and incorporating the giant's remains. The giant lives on forever in some way through this process.

5. Messes from dead giant trees can be cleaned up. However, the forest will long remember the giants, and it may need to work around the giant trees for some time to come.

6. This one does not have to do with giant trees, but it's still a good lesson to remember. Even trails we think are well-marked may still have other barriers that prevent us from accomplishing tasks.

And finally, it was a very good day for wildlife. I saw a mother mountain goat and her baby on the trail, but unfortunately, I did not get a very good photo.

There was a bear on the side of the road in the snow country, eating new shoots as fast as he could, and ignoring my car. I was very glad to have the car between me and him, because he was clearly hungry!

And finally, there was a fox on the road, hoping someone would throw him a hot dog. He's losing his winter coat and gaining his summer colors.

Tomorrow is supposed to be "mostly sunny", so I am hopeful that I'll get to see Mt. St. Helens. I've been advised to go to the new visitor center, which is an approach I have not taken before.