On top of the world at Mary's Peak

 It was late spring and a beautiful day in June 2013.  Analise was 8 months old.  We headed south to Mary's Peak.  The road to the upper parking lot was open.









After a long drive with a grumpy baby who did not like to be confined in a car seat, we were happy to start with some wiggle time.









We spent some time eating the first course of lunch and checking out the bench.









We headed up the trail and enjoyed the views along the way.  Amy tried out her new sunglasses.









Analise was so happy to sit in the grass and chew use large rocks as teething toys.









We spent time at the top enjoying the view and the sunshine.









Sarah taught Amy an airplane game which she wanted to do repeatedly.  All that aerial arts makes Sarah great at lifting children into crazy positions.









On the way back we explored a wooded path.









Amy stopped to hug as many trees as possible.









Such fun was had by all.  Sunshine on a spring day, a great view, and relaxing in a high meadow is really good medicine.

Refuge Wanderings

It was a bright sunny day in March 2013. My baby Analise was six months old.  We headed up to the wildlife refuge in Washougal on the north side of the Columbia.












It was a beautiful day with winter starting to turn to spring.  Mt. Hood was peaking out at us over the gorge.












We enjoyed lots of turtles and sparkling wetland ponds.












We wandered toward the river, soaking in the sun.












Baby Analise hung out in the front pack, watching the world go by.  She protested the car trip quite loudly as usual.











We got to do a little bird watching and especially enjoyed the herons.












Amy and Sarah enjoyed walking together and I moved at a slightly faster pace to keep Analise happy.












On the way back we noticed some cool artistic creations.












What a great sunny river wander.  The sunshine and exercise lifted our spirits after the rain and snow of winter.












We learned a little about bird migration routes and distances.

We were grateful for the signs of spring, the wildlife, and the time just to be together on this fresh spring northwest day!

Dry Creek Falls

 It was too warm to snowshoe on this early March weekend, so we headed to the gorge in search of a "hidden waterfall".  Analise was 6 months old.









We found a "hairy rock" that we enjoyed quite a bit. 

















It was a lovely spring day in the gorge with just a hint of the warm weather to come and winter still holding just a little.








We communed with the trees, enjoying the fleece front pack cover my mom had made for us.








We had some rock breaks.








We came around a corner and found the hidden Dry Creek falls.  A few others had found it too but it still felt special to find a less known spot.








The falls were very pretty.








We crossed back over the forest bridge and headed back toward town.








We enjoyed some nurse logs along the way and dreamed of spring to come!

Lucia and Moulton Falls Breaking in the Rain Boots

 We headed up north of Battleground on a cloudy slightly rainy day to two new waterfalls to explore.  We parked at Lucia Falls and enjoyed the view before hiking a short mile loop in the park.

The moss everywhere was beautiful.

There were lots of man made older brick walls to take breaks on and enjoy the Lewis River.

The mist made everything seem magical

The fall colors were all around.

We sat and had lunch and coffee back by Lucia Falls and got to watch fish jumping up the waterfall.

Analise approved of all the puddles and rocks.

Amy enjoyed exploring.  We drove to Moulton Falls and continued our adventure.

The bridge had warnings not to jump but also a rope swing hanging from it.  If it was a warm summer day I would have been tempted.

Most of this hike was very toddler friendly.

We enjoyed stops to gaze at the river.

We admired the handiwork of a spider.

Amy got to play in the mud while waiting for her sister to catch up.

We headed back to Moulton Falls where we took time to enjoy climbing on the rocks.

The falls were very pretty and it was fun to climb around while listening to them roar.

Analise found some very deep puddles on the rocks near the falls and was happy to puddle stomp.

Sarah found a perch and enjoyed gazing at the waterfall.

Amy enjoyed climbing all over.

Everyone finished the adventure wet, muddy, and happy.

This is why we love to get outside in all seasons!