It has been a summer well-lived. Even though our family was restricted by lack of vacation time and money this year, I like to think that we went more places than your average American who stayed at home and watched Big Brother XXXIV. Today, I went back to work (yes, teaching is a sweet gig, thanks for noticing) and in celebration/anticipation, I wanted to go somewhere beautiful with my family. I wanted to camp up a forest road spur, have a big campfire and look at some beautiful mountains. I got it all, because I am just that lucky.
Last year, Barkernews, Noah the dog, and I hiked up Sleeping Beauty Peak. You might remember that I was 8 months pregnant at the time. We thought the hike was pretty cool then. Turns out it is STILL super cool, especially when I am not huffing and puffing up due to pregnancy. While Portland lay under a blanket of gray clouds, the Barkers were in the sunshine, staring at a ring of Cascade volcanoes. This, I thought, is why I live here.
You may recall that Sleeping Beauty Peak is the home of a former fire lookout and the rock path to the summit was painstakingly built in the CCC in the 1930s. As impressive as it is just to build a dirt trail in the woods, a summit trail lined with rock walls? Now, that's just damn cool. Oh yeah, and at the top? We totally hung out with a mountain goat. That's what I want to be in my next life, no question.
Barkernews, The Hizz, and Noah the dog and I set up camp in our super secret spot with views of Mt. Adams and Sleeping Beauty Peak and promptly built a large campfire. Goals #1 and #2 accomplished.
After a good 10 hours (us) and 12 hours (The Hizz- whatever her shortcomings when she is 13, I just want to remember that when she was 1, she slept for 12 hours straight. In a tent. On a regular basis. And that? That was a blessing, I will think to myself when I want to ring her neck in 12 years.) of solid sleep, we set out for Bird Lake on the Yakima Nation. Turns out the Yakima Nation maintains a killer set of campgrounds and trails on the east side of Mt. Adams. On the west side of the mountain, it takes several miles of hiking just to reach 5500 feet. On the east side, you can drive to that altitude and spend your entire hike checking out lakes, waterfalls, alpine meadows and killer views of the mountain.
After a good 10 hours (us) and 12 hours (The Hizz- whatever her shortcomings when she is 13, I just want to remember that when she was 1, she slept for 12 hours straight. In a tent. On a regular basis. And that? That was a blessing, I will think to myself when I want to ring her neck in 12 years.) of solid sleep, we set out for Bird Lake on the Yakima Nation. Turns out the Yakima Nation maintains a killer set of campgrounds and trails on the east side of Mt. Adams. On the west side of the mountain, it takes several miles of hiking just to reach 5500 feet. On the east side, you can drive to that altitude and spend your entire hike checking out lakes, waterfalls, alpine meadows and killer views of the mountain. 
Every half-mile or so, we would come upon yet ANOTHER waterfall or meadow or mountain view or lake or huckleberry bush. It makes complete sense that it took us 3 hours to hike 6 miles. Between eye candy surprises, Barkernews made sure The Hizz touched every rock, tree, bush, leaf possible while he repeated the words over and over...and over. I am pretty sure that I am well educated on what a tree looks like after Sunday.At the end of the day, we all scarfed down too much ice cream and I went to bed that night completely satisfied. Sure, my summer days of visiting beaches and hanging out in the woods are over (at least until next June). But I have rock climbing season and cyclocross season and ski season to look forward to. And lots and lots of pictures.
Goodbye summer. You were good to us. We will never forget you.
