Take A Hike!

As my reward for finishing Ishbel on time (on the 11th - a day early!), I thought while it's blocking I'd take advantage of the glorious weather we've been having and get the kids out of the house. I asked the youngest where we should go & he said 'to Eagle River'. I haven't been to the Eagle River Visitor Center in years, so I thought this would be a fine destination.

I love getting outdoors, but I must admit that my inertia over the past few years has increased. It's just so easy to stay home & hang out. I think that's due to being so crazy busy during the school year that the summer invites pure leisure. The Eagle River nature center is only about a 30 minute drive from our house. From there you can access several trails, including the 26 mile Crow Pass trail. Hubby and I hiked it (overnight) about 10 years ago & I'd love to do it again when the boys are older as it includes a crossing of Eagle River. Check out Midwife Knits' blog for incredible photos - it'll make you want to don your pack right away!

The hike today was not nearly as ambitious - 2 kids + geriatric dog doesn't lend itself to anything too strenuous. We opted to hike down the Crow Pass trail to Eagle River about a 1.7 mile walk (3.4 miles round trip) according to the signs. The walk is pretty easy & takes you through beautiful trees & ferns.

A few boulders along the way provide opportunities for king of the mountain.

Breaks in the trees provide views of the Chugach Mountains and Eagle River valley.

At the Rapids campground area there is a set of stairs leading down to the river. A shallow pool at the shore allowed the kids to get their hats wet for some welcome relief from the sun and heat. Joulee (our dog) greatly appreciated this as well.

All I kept thinking here was "Kids Don't Float - wear life vests". Oops - didn't bring those along, so I was on constant alert. I was more worried about Iain who has a history with falling into rivers. Happy to report that he stayed dry. :0)

Happy kids to be outside (and at the turnaround point). All in all, an easy hike for kids & elderly pets. I was happy Joulee was able to make the journey, much of it with a 'pep in her step'. My overactive imagination kept my mind filled with images of her collapsing on the trail and me having to carry her up the hill to the car. We spent many hours hiking and skiing these trails when she was a pup and younger dog, so I figured if this was the afternoon she chose to leave us, then it would be doing what she loved to do. Fortunately this did not come to pass and she's happily lounging in the shade of the backyard with me.

Getting out with the kids on my own felt great - just like changing the head light of my car and replacing our wireless router on my own.

Now to rest before the evening's soccer game. FO: Ishbel coming soon!

Get out and enjoy the outdoors! Ciao!

Giants of the Coast

Okay - Redwood trees are HUGE!!! They are the tallest trees in the world (> 300 feet in most cases) and are very old (many > 1000 years old). Alaska is so majestic and beautiful, but our trees back home are put to shame by the mighty Redwood.


After leaving the Oregon Caves we entered California & found a hike within a state park. Boy Scout Tree trail is a 3.1 mile trail (each way) through the majestic giants. The tall trees allow little light to filter through to the forest floor, so the temperature is very comfortable for a nice hike. I was worried about the boys going on such a long jaunt, but they quickly settled into their own game - it was fun listening to them along the way. Orion had a bow and arrow while Iain carried a cross bow. They were on the look out for shadow & tree monsters. Sunlight orbs and Earthquake levers kept us safe. Just following them and listening to their imagination unfold and create a magical world was enlightening. For all the time I spend worrying they are influenced too much by the media, peers, and video games, it's reassuring to know they can easily engage their active imaginations. I must remember - everything in moderation.


We camped at Elk Prairie State Campground. This was the first campground we encountered that was almost at capacity when we arrived. The campground is near the coast & bordered on the east by land frequented by wild Elk. Our camping neighbors were Herman and Candelaria Zapp, the couple who've driven from Argentina to Alaska back in 2003. They are currently on a new journey to Asia. Pretty incredible - their car is a 1928 Graham Paige Model 610 touring car, and they are traveling with their 3 small children (all of whom were born in their car, I overheard). Our road trip pales in comparison to the distance they are covering. They are financing their trip from odd jobs along the way and selling their book, Spark Your Dream.

Wednesday morning, before our departure for the 400 mile drive to Sacramento, the boys participated in the Junior Ranger Program. The focus of the morning's program was banana slugs. We had seen one during our hike the day before, so the boys were anxious to learn more & earn a Junior Ranger badge. The Junior Ranger program is a great way for kids to learn about state and national parks - we try to participate in the program at each park we visit, if possible.
Here's what the kids said they learned about these invertebrates:

1) They breathe and 'poop' out of the same hole. So glad I'm not a banana slug.

2) Raccoons eat them, but first roll the slugs around in dirt. They do this because the slug contains some sort of chemical that numbs the mouth when you eat it. The dirt supposedly helps alleviate this numbness. I think this might explain why some folks lick the banana slug (a popular activity at 6th grade camp, so I hear).

3) The banana slug is the mascot for UC Santa Cruz - ooh, so frightening!!


I also finished a bit of knitting along the way (you knitters out there are soooo patient!) I present Celtic Braid Sock #1:


~Ciao....