Emerson's Second Year Highlights

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

She tumbled down the new stairs.. well, stair actually. It was traumatic ;)

La Wis Wis

I can still smell the campfire smoke as I look at these pictures.

We decided to try to get in two hikes and camp. However, on our way there we discovered that there were some road closures and we wouldn't be able to make it to our second hike. So we just set up camp and enjoyed our time. There were only a couple of camp sites left, one too small for our tent and one next to the camp host's noisy generator (the hosts' concern, not ours). So when a group site opened up as we were talking to them, the said we could have it for the single site price. It was gorgeous! Too big really, but right on the water and awesome.

There was a little hike in the campground up to a waterfall. After we set up camp we took off and broke ourselves in a little. We also effectively turned a half mile hike into a mile hike because Harrison dropped his hat and we had to backtrack to find it, and then we found that my hat had fallen off the backpack so we got to hunt for that too.

It was a sweet little hike :)

I couldn't get the right angle with Harrison on my back and all those slippery
rocks, but I loved this little tree.

Had fun with my settings and got some misty water.

Hi Mommy!

Selfies are hard with kids on your back

Emerson behind the lens

The view from our tent

My favorite thing, waking up and seeing some gorgeous water-based nature

Camping!!

Sausage dogs on the fire

My men

My loves

Emerson was really into taking pictures.

There were also several shots of the car, her feet, the fire and the neighbors.

Good morning snuggles by the fire

Coffee! Even if it's decaf

Bacon and eggs over the fire

Camping!

High Rock Lookout

All the trip reports will tell you, the roads getting there are rough, the trail is steep but fair and there are a few bugs along the way but oh my, is it worth it. The views from the top are just incredible.

The fire lookout is really cool. Sadly, it's so vandalized by the hundreds of people that trek up there. It's only about 1.8 miles so it's not enough of a commitment to weed out those that don't have enough respect for nature and history to leave the poor thing alone.

I, of course, took forever to make my way up. Incline is my arch nemesis and instantly makes my legs weigh a thousand pounds and feel lifeless. It's not a matter of if I'll make it, just when.

Trailhead... albeit not much of one.
I know, the hat. I lost my prescription sunglasses and this was my only solution.

A little bit of gentle trail

A glimpse of Mt. Rainier, some motivation to keep going

Some more motivation.

The end in sight

Just a crazy crag at the top

Mt. St. Helens

Mt. Rainier and Cora Lake peeking out from behind that rock.

Inside the look out

On the selfie platform ;)

the crazy scramble up to the look out. Not exactly the most kid friendly destination.

Snack break

Taking it all in

Getting ready to head back down

From the road.. that is the look out up there!

And another view of the majestic mountain on the way home.