Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Senior Prom Pics - Just A couple to see
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Arron finally surrendered the Senior Prom photos one of the dads took. He looked grand if I may say so.
More on the jkkay WEB if you Click Here
Monday, May 25, 2009
New interactive web site
Welcome to GoHiking.... gohiking.pbworks.com
This new web site will help us plan hikes and other activities. The site is by invitation only.
I emailed many ... if I missed you let me know and I will forward you an invitation. On this site you can add and edit your name on the event that you want to attend. You can list the equipment you can bring for the specific group activity such as a group campsite item, or a dinner dish you want to bring to the BBQ.
This new web site will help us plan hikes and other activities. The site is by invitation only.
I emailed many ... if I missed you let me know and I will forward you an invitation. On this site you can add and edit your name on the event that you want to attend. You can list the equipment you can bring for the specific group activity such as a group campsite item, or a dinner dish you want to bring to the BBQ.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Walls Falls - May 16
The weather was great, the hike was good and we even had our choice of several parking spots. We were even home for lunch.
After the hike and lunch we went to Bellingham to support Sarah in her Relay for Life.
Busy day but very worth while, any day we can spend with the kids is a great day. Half with Corey and Arron and Half with Sarah. Just does not get any better.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Lake Chelan Plans begin
Here are the plans for June 20 & 21Shorten the hike from 3 days to 2 days Saturday June 20 and Sunday June 21. That way no one needs worry about getting time off work. This will also shorten the distance to 6.8 miles instead of the 17.5 miles. Instead of 2 nights it will be 1 night.
I expect this hike will be OK for us who have missed hiking for a few years. The trail along here does rise and fall but the bigger bluff hike overs are on the other section of trail we will be cutting out.
We all know the limit of 12 on wilderness trails so by my count we have room for 5 more. (Corey + 2 friends, Arron + 1, Jim + Julia) = room for 5.
Click here for the latest thoughts and plans on the Lake Chelan Hike.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Reservations locked in....
Making plans and moving forward. 
I faxed my wish to hike the Wonderland Trail to the rangers at Mt. Rainier Park. I was somewhat certain I had missed this years opportunity since I was two months late seeking a reservation. Desperate I got creative on my application and did some silly attention getting remarks in the date boxes. Less then 20 minutes later a ranger called me and was puzzled by my application. He told me he could not process it the way it was filled out. By the end of the call, which I was not certain was going the right direction for way too long, I had my wish for 3 nights on the Wonderland Trail.
Arron and I visited the trail in 2004 or so and loved every moment of our hike. Now with additional miracles Julia, the boys and I will be able to visit the trail again this year. Problems do lurk though, Corey is working full time doesn't know if he can get enough time off, Arron is not certain what day college will start, and I got bumped from dive school in May to be rescheduled in September. Julia has still not tested her overnight hiking and will be concerned about this wonderful hike. All and all I am still hopeful this wonderful hike will happen. I have this passion to share this beauty with everyone that will listen. To reminisce about this hike long ago we need to climb into the way-back-bus. Set the clock to 1972, I fell in love with this section of trail and still think of it one of the best hikes of all time. I remember how all of us young scouts were required to bring our back back packs to the church before the hike to be weighed. I remember a lot of focus on packing light. The first day went well, we ate good and slept in the under a single golden tarp in the meadow at Summer Land. On the second day the trail was dusty and I had enjoyed getting dirty. By dinner time my Scout Master told me not to come to dinner until I put on a clean shirt. Imagine my pride, not everyone that gets patted on the back could disappear in a cloud of dust. Being a good scout went to my back pack to get a clean shirt. Unimaginable horror pulsed in my veins as I discovered I had packed so light I did not have any extra shirts in my pack. With dinner on hold it only took me moments to devise a plan.
I ran to the creek and began washing my only t-shirt. Soon the creek turned brown as the dirt left my shirt. To make certain all the dirt was out I pounded it against rocks, rubbed rocks on it and when I felt not a speck of dirt remained I washed it again. Cleaned beyond doubt I held it up for final inspection, to my surprise I noticed a galaxy of holes. Obviously the shirt was of poor quality and could not with stand a good creek side washing. Standing bare chested along the mountain stream the evening chill caught my attention, I noticed the warm rays of sun were disappearing as the sun slipped behind the ridge. Still not concerned I strolled over to the camp fire. I was certain the warm fire would dry my shirt in record time. As the night got colder I became impatient and moved it closer to the fire while I went to eat. When I returned I was surprised to see the shirt was a dirty brown again. Had someone tossed dirt on my clean shirt? No they had not, the fire had warmed and the shirt had dried, the two became one. As I picked my shirt up to inspect it the poor quality hole studded fabric began cracking and crumbled. Having no other shirt I put it on and realized how it smelled very badly of smoke. Proudly I wore it to bed that night. By morning I was wearing an interesting smelly pair of sleeves attached to a collar. This wonderful shirt would last another two days until I was greeted by mom and dad at the end of the trail. Of course they refused to let me into their car, eventually I bartered my way in but only after the shirt was tossed in the trash.
I faxed my wish to hike the Wonderland Trail to the rangers at Mt. Rainier Park. I was somewhat certain I had missed this years opportunity since I was two months late seeking a reservation. Desperate I got creative on my application and did some silly attention getting remarks in the date boxes. Less then 20 minutes later a ranger called me and was puzzled by my application. He told me he could not process it the way it was filled out. By the end of the call, which I was not certain was going the right direction for way too long, I had my wish for 3 nights on the Wonderland Trail.
Arron and I visited the trail in 2004 or so and loved every moment of our hike. Now with additional miracles Julia, the boys and I will be able to visit the trail again this year. Problems do lurk though, Corey is working full time doesn't know if he can get enough time off, Arron is not certain what day college will start, and I got bumped from dive school in May to be rescheduled in September. Julia has still not tested her overnight hiking and will be concerned about this wonderful hike. All and all I am still hopeful this wonderful hike will happen. I have this passion to share this beauty with everyone that will listen. To reminisce about this hike long ago we need to climb into the way-back-bus. Set the clock to 1972, I fell in love with this section of trail and still think of it one of the best hikes of all time. I remember how all of us young scouts were required to bring our back back packs to the church before the hike to be weighed. I remember a lot of focus on packing light. The first day went well, we ate good and slept in the under a single golden tarp in the meadow at Summer Land. On the second day the trail was dusty and I had enjoyed getting dirty. By dinner time my Scout Master told me not to come to dinner until I put on a clean shirt. Imagine my pride, not everyone that gets patted on the back could disappear in a cloud of dust. Being a good scout went to my back pack to get a clean shirt. Unimaginable horror pulsed in my veins as I discovered I had packed so light I did not have any extra shirts in my pack. With dinner on hold it only took me moments to devise a plan.
I ran to the creek and began washing my only t-shirt. Soon the creek turned brown as the dirt left my shirt. To make certain all the dirt was out I pounded it against rocks, rubbed rocks on it and when I felt not a speck of dirt remained I washed it again. Cleaned beyond doubt I held it up for final inspection, to my surprise I noticed a galaxy of holes. Obviously the shirt was of poor quality and could not with stand a good creek side washing. Standing bare chested along the mountain stream the evening chill caught my attention, I noticed the warm rays of sun were disappearing as the sun slipped behind the ridge. Still not concerned I strolled over to the camp fire. I was certain the warm fire would dry my shirt in record time. As the night got colder I became impatient and moved it closer to the fire while I went to eat. When I returned I was surprised to see the shirt was a dirty brown again. Had someone tossed dirt on my clean shirt? No they had not, the fire had warmed and the shirt had dried, the two became one. As I picked my shirt up to inspect it the poor quality hole studded fabric began cracking and crumbled. Having no other shirt I put it on and realized how it smelled very badly of smoke. Proudly I wore it to bed that night. By morning I was wearing an interesting smelly pair of sleeves attached to a collar. This wonderful shirt would last another two days until I was greeted by mom and dad at the end of the trail. Of course they refused to let me into their car, eventually I bartered my way in but only after the shirt was tossed in the trash. 
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Summer hiking, biking and get going....
- May 16 Challenge your legs to a hike up Mt. Si. Carry water and a snack. Lunch for survivors will be at North Bend Bar and Grill.
- June ?? Shake the spiders out of your backpacks. Lets go sleep in the woods and have a couple smores, this will be an easy overnight hike anyone can handle. We have not picked a location yet but it will be great.
- June 19 - 21 [changed] Fathers Day Weekend. Almost too late in the year but the weather suggests this 3 day 2 night Lake Chelan hike will be great. I want to see how the forest has re grown. Last time I was here was after the huge Lake Chelan fire 2004?
- July 5 - 7 Fishing trip to Ross Lake - Cougar Island 4th annual trip. The Kids and I sleep on Cougar Island and usually have the island to ourselves.
- July 18 & 19 a stroll to the rim of the the crater on Mt. St. Helen's - reservations a must. I have two tickets for Julia and I, would be great to bring the boys so I am looking for two more tickets.
- Late August / early September .... Wonderland Trail Summerland to Box Canyon.
If you are doing something fun that others can join in and share the experience, please email me. I will be working on a web based summer fun calendar as a central point to look at and stay in touch.
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