EKjourney Backup

Blooming trillium I love wooded trails You can't see it well in this picture, but I am using a trekking pole.  I will never hike without one again!  I am amazed at how much easier it makes hiking.  On uneven or rocky terrain, it is great for balance.  The uphills are easier and the downhills are pain free.  Usually, downhill hiking really hurts my knees. Trail crashes are not B's favorite. The longest suspension bridge in Oregon and the view from the middle. Looking up Waterfalls are incredible The Little Kellys: Vienna enjoys a short hike and a long comfy ride in a backpack.  She makes quite the scene as fellow hikers are like magnets to her, which she doesn't like.  I always wonder why our society is so backwards as to flock to a dog to talk to her and want to interact with her when there are 5 nice well behaved adorable conversationalist standing right there.  However, it does make us approachable and gives us an opportunity to be friendly! We ...

Spring Break has arrived and we are lucky enough to get a few nice days before the wet and cool front moves in.  First day, adventure number one of the season, Catherine Creek at the Columbia River Gorge. Heading out, this is Mount Hood just outside of Mount Angel.  Coffee and hot chocolates to start the day. Red Tail hawk Hike number 1, a nice paved trail loop This is what I get when I ask Phil to pose with the wildflowers Hike number 2, a walk up a grassy fields to a beautiful look out of the Gorge and Mount Hood Hike number 3, a road and a fairly level hike to see some spectacular rock formations alongside Catherine Creek Hike number 4, a very steep hike to see rock flows.  The little ones were done at this point.  Evi made it part way up, Sis made it up the entire steep part, Sawyer wanted to keep hiking.   All in all, we hiked maybe 3.5 miles.