Yoh! Hike @Tin Mine Trail

A group of us tried and failed to find the Tin Mine on our hike this morning, but we managed to get really, really wet. The directions posted by the WTA were not great and there wasn’t much signage on the trail. Once we made it through the clear-cut area we ran into an old service road. We spent the next half hour hiking back and forth trying to figure out which way to go before it started pouring down on us. At that point we decided to call it a day and headed back the way we came. The trail had pretty much turned into a creek at that time, and we were so happy when we finally reached the parking lot.  I would definitely come back again on a dry and sunny day as it appears there are some great views to be had, just not today. We did see lots of mushrooms and Teresa managed to harvest a bag full of chanterelles. In all we completed 3.09 miles with 576 feet of elevation gain. 

View of Tahuya Lake. On a clear day we would be able to see the Olympics.

Picking huckleberries.

L to R: Teresa w/Aspen, Logan & Haven; Scott; Tammy w/Maya; Miranda w/Briar.

Candlelight Concert

Last night Scott & I attended our second Candlelight Concert at the Roxy Theater in Bremerton. This time the string quartet did a tribute to Coldplay.  The performers were not the same as last time, except for the cellist. They did a great job. Even though I didn't know all the songs they played, I knew several of them.  We had a great time!

Weekend With Nova

Can't believe I almost forgot to post about our weekend with Nova last weekend! Corey & Terrell went up to Everett for a conference, so we watched Nova from 3:00pm on Friday until they returned at 7:00pm on Sunday. It has been a long time since we've had a toddler running around, so it was quite exhausting for us, but we had a great time!  She didn't really nap during the day, so she kept us on our toes, but luckily, she slept well at night. Her favorite thing to do is be outside, so we tried to do as much outside time as possible given the not-so-great weather. Some highlights of our weekend include walks with the dogs, walks with just her around Proctor and our neighborhood, running through leaves and hearing them crunch, running amuck in Target and eating donuts at Top Pot Donuts.  We sure love our sweet Nova!

She sure loves the Mystery Machine!

We each took turns sleeping at their apartment so she could sleep in her crib. We wore her out, too, as she didn't fuss at all when we put her to bed both nights.

Donuts!

Heather-Maple Pass Loop Larch Hike

On Monday we decided to head out early because the crowds during larch season are crazy.  We got to the trailhead at 6:00am and hiked the first mile in the dark using our headlamps.  It wasn't as cold as we thought it would be.  Just a couple days earlier it had snowed on this trail, but the snow was all gone.  We hiked the Heather-Maple Pass Loop, which is 7.2 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 2020 feet.  After a couple months of being sick and fatigued, I was not up to completing the entire hike, so we did a more moderate version, heading up and back on one side of the loop. We still managed to get in 5.23 miles with 1,198 feet of elevation gain. We were able to get up close and personal with the larches, which was my ultimate goal.  They sure were beautiful and I'm so happy to finally get them crossed off my bucket list!  We finished the hike before 10:30am and then went into Mazama to a little bakery for treats & drinks.  When we got back to the cabin, I took a shower & chilled. Later that evening we explored the cute town of Winthrop and had a family style dinner at Meza, which was delicious. After dinner we all spent some time in the hot tub soaking our sore aching muscles. Later that night we headed up into the hills to see the stars and the northern lights that just happened to be visible, more so through the camera than with the naked eye.  We also saw a coyote and some deer on our drive back. The next morning Pam & Teresa did another early hike, but Michele & I passed. We were still too sore! We ended up heading home at 9:15am and with little traffic was able to get back to Tacoma before 2pm.  I'm so glad I got to go and spend some time in the North Cascades, which I have only driven through once a long time ago.  It is a very beautiful area, and I hope to get back there some day.

Teresa & Michele with their headlamps on.  

My first ever sunrise hike. It was so cool!

Interesting to see mushrooms so high up in elevation!

The trail was super rocky & rooty.  It was not fun!

Me and Pam.

Larches!

Proof I made it!

Bridge near our cabin.