Trail Names

On our way to the mount Lookout hike in Winthrop, we were asked If we had trail names (nicknames that you are called while hiking.) We thought about what our names should be, and I came up with the idea of having our trail names be after our favorite hike. Below are our trail names and their origin.

Susan: Hidden lake, see “The Great Smoky Mountains/Glacier.”
Rob, Navajo, pronounced nava joe, see “Bryce Canyon Part 1.”
Me, Falling Fairy (Fairy Falls,) see “Yellowstone.”
Mari, Mudpot see “Yellowstone.”
Elliot, Mr. Delicate (Delicate Arch) see “Arches.”
Lucia, Rainbow Falls/Rainbow Falls alot:) See “Great Smoky Mountains.”
Rose, The Oldest, It’s what she said when we asked her what her trail name should be.

Comment what your trail name should be!

Hurricane Ridge

Today was a beautiful day to hike up Hurricane Hill for a view of Hurricane Ridge, and the surrounding area.

the kids
the parents
Elliot and Lucia holding hands. Lucia likes to try to keep up with Elliot on our hikes. She sometimes pretends that she is his dog.

Log Cabin Resort

Our current campground is pretty amazing. It is in the National Park, on a large lake. The water is clear and cold and surrounded by mountains & hills. They actually close for the year on the day we leave and there is hardly anyone here.

The kids playing where a creek feeds the lake.
Mari exploring.

San Juan Island

We were in line for the ferry by 8:15am.
The ferry ride was cool.
Susan and Rose.
Looking back at the ferry.
obligatory animal statue picture.
Elliot looking through binoculars.
Palindava Lavender Shop
Palindava Lavender Ice Cream
Rose smelling the lavender.
Lucia and the lavender.
Waiting for the whales. We were headed to the area for a snack when a couple of the workers said that whales were spotted near-by and may be on their way.
whales
whales
our future vacation home
going home
Mt. Baker

Prairie Grass Guild

Back home in Des Moines we have been members of a group called the Prairie Grass Guild for the past few years (maybe 5?). We meet once a month on a Friday to go for a hike. Another family from the group, the Anhalts, have parents/grandparents who live in the area that we are in now. They happened to be visiting so we met in a city park in Bellingham for a hike and then we headed to the parents/grandparents for a grill out. It was great to see some familiar faces and enjoy the comforts of a home.

Painting Rocks

We have been finding a lot of painted rocks around the area that we are in. Susan and the kids thought it would be fun to get in on the action.

We found this one a few days ago on Whitby Island.
Hard at work