Packwood Lake Family Backpack Trip

At last, our first family backpack trip! Elliott has been asking to go on an adventure since he has watched Adam pack and leave for 6 or so trips this summer. I prepped him about the commitment it would require and he agreed to the terms. Elliott insists he will make it to the top of Rainier soon. Adam is proud of this desire and tempted to oblige (we read that the youngest person to summit Rainier was a 4 year old. It took 7 days, but he made it).

On our way to the trail head, we had a lovely view of Mt. Rainier (somewhat in the clouds). Adam has summited twice and enjoyed sharing some of his love for the mountain with us.

 Adam had recently been on the trail to Packwood Lake on the SE corner of Mount Rainier and remembered it to be very moderate and doable for our current "combined ability level." After packing all morning (first day of Paternity Leave!!!), we drove away at 2 pm and began hiking at 5:30 pm! Luckily, we made it the 4 1/2 miles to the lake by about 7:30 pm - just as it was getting dark. Elliott did great on the trail. He rode his bike on the relatively flat places which meant fast hiking, and he walked on more steep areas while we carried his bike. He carried his own backpack with snacks, jacket, headlamp the entire trip. As i said, he wanted to go on this trip, so he never thought to complain about anything.

 Adam carried all our gear and helped motor Elliott. I carried Arlin on my front and all our food on my back :)

 On uphill trails, Adam would give Elliott a "motor" with his hiking pole.

 I kept a bored and squashed Arlin placated by slipping him a red mountain huckleberry every couple seconds. He must have eaten 100+ berries over the trip.

  Blister care...Adam was recovering from Mt. Rainier the week before.

 We made it to Packwood Lake:

 View from the eating area of our camp:

 Adam kindly set up the tent  (I was near useless as far as camp stuff went because I was holding a mobile and rambunctious Arlin) then we feasted on smoked salmon, incredible Gina Marie cream cheese in adorable packaging, and crackers.

 Best camp food. Was supposed to be our idyllic lunch picnic, but we got a late start.

 Tent doggies:

Lost Lake day hike photos coming soon....

Fruit man and first time in a shopping cart:

Arlin loves fruit/food. I usually find him here:

 Deciding which fruit to eat first:

 Summer picnics have been a blessed way of sparing my home from fruit messes

 I roll him a fruit and keep painting (after oohing and aahhhing).

 

 Arlin's look of wonder as he rides in a shopping cart for the first time!

And then a look of pure joy:

The next day....

Camp RS

For the women's organization at church, Relief Society, I helped plan an end of summer dinner we themed "Camp RS," or Camp Relief Society. I was assigned to make the posters and invitations...and I got paper crafty! 

I like how it all turned out. 

Elliott's 3rd Birthday

Happy Birthday, Elliott! You are 3.

Between trips to Ithaca and Southern California, we planned an impromptu 3rd Birthday for Elliott with friends and family. Just good food, friends, babies, and a kid's swimming pool full of bubbles :)

Watkin's Glen

Watkin's Glen is a beautiful, dense example of the unique gorges in the Ithaca/Finger Lakes region. There is a short (1.5 mile) trail through the narrow, wet canyon, passing 17 waterfalls. Here is a photo-tour beginning in the parking lot right at the mouth of the canyon:

 But first, let's fuel up on soda to last the 1.5 miles: 

 The trail entrance is a short cave to the right of this bridge:

 It is beautiful the way the water cut through the shale (?)

 Pools and narrow chutes

 A spiral staircase in the rock brings us above the steep wall of the waterfall.

 Lush greenery on every side:

 A little example of the rectangular pools made from the shale splitting in straight lines and 90 degree angles:

 I love all the stone bridges:

 Watkin's Glen could be the scene for a Lord Of The Rings elf kingdom:

 At the end of the canyon is a steep stairway out to the upper parking lot, shuttles to take you to the lower parking lot, and a snack shack.

 On our way back down the glen. A short, pleasant walk.

 Then we met Adam's brother's family at the Watkin's Glen pool, free with your parking pass.

 Cousin Darwin and Aunt Tirzah

 I love catching new glimpses of Arlin's developing face and features. He is still new to me and I am always surprised when he doesn't look like Elliott :)