July's New Things--Mount Baker!

 You can see Mount Baker from my parents front window.  I have a vague memory of my dad driving a few of us (I think it was just me, Lisa and Tina) up mount baker.  This was back in the early 90s with no internet, no cell phones etc.  I remember just driving up winding roads for a long time as the temperature kept dropping.  Eventually my dad decided we had gone far enough and turned around.  We never made it to any sort of look out point--as far as I can remember (although I was about 12 or 13, so we may have haha), but we drove for what seemed like a really long time!  

After exploring Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens last year, I decided that I needed to explore Mount Baker this year!  We had perfect weather, lucked out with a last minute camping spot, and my knee and Mike's foot (he hurt it over a month ago helping someone move and it is still not healed) held up pretty great--although my knee has been a bit sore since:( 

Our agenda (short and sweet):

1. Artisit Point hike

2.  Fire & Ice hike

3. Sunset at Picture Lake

4. Camp

5.  Sunrise at Picture Lake

6. Bagley Lakes Loop

7. Home

 

It was a long winding road (with zero rails of shoulder) up to Artist Point, but it was so worth it!  I almost insisted we drive up there again the second day, just to see it at sunrise too!  Pictures don't do it justice, although I did stop every few steps to take pictures haha.  It was just a short easy trail with views of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan.  Mike always wears his 10% shirts on hikes and gets so many chuckles and comments.  

And there was a lot of snow--which is pretty exciting when it's summer time:)

There are only two campsites close to Mount Baker: Silver Firs which is about 25 min. away and Douglas fir which is another 15 min further.  Both were "first come first serve" so we headed up early hoping one of them had some room.  We drove past Douglas Firs in hopes of a closer spot (since we were going up for sunrise) but we got there and there was a "no vacancy" and not a soul in sight to talk to.  Luckily Douglas Firs had 2 spots available and Mike snagged to one next to the river.  It was so perfect!  We could walk down the rocks right to the water.  And yes, this is the same tent we had when Tyson was a baby...and possibly earlier!

Summer playing on the rocks.

We drove back up to picture lake for sunset.  Just breathtaking.  

There were a lot of photographers...and a lot of bugs!  

Mike decided to have a Mountain House snack when we got back to camp (I tried it for the first time and was actually impressed).  Summer and I headed to bed because we were going to get up at 4am to head up to see the sunrise.  

I'm not sure if sunrise at Picture Lake was any better (or different) than sunset, but it was quieter...and colder...and there was a bride and groom getting their wedding photos taken...and no bugs!  

We fired up the jetboil and made breakfast and hot chocolate right at the lake.  It was magical:)

Then we went to do our Bagley Lakes "Loop" hike...we couldn't quite figure out the loop and ended up walking on the road back to our car instead of on the path.  But before we turned around, the whole thing was so beautiful.  Mountain water streams, lakes, wildflowers...and it was like 5am so we were the only ones on the trail (which scared Summer since we saw a bear on the drive up to watch the sunset--which was actually really awesome--the seeing the bear part, not Summer being scared)

Overall, such a great trip!  

I can't wait to explore more of the PNW...it may just be the most beautiful part of the world!

The Hottest Week of the Year

Meeting Kya and Clayton in Hawaii was supposed to be instead of flying to NC this summer...but....we couldn't resist a quick trip.  And wouldn't you know it, just like last year, we picked to hottest week of the year!  Like over 100 degrees hot--yikes.  Good thing they have a pool.  We still managed to have LOTS of fun!

Look at this amazing view of Mt. Rainier from the plane--above the clouds!

Lots of pool time

We spent 3 separate days at the pool.  One early afternoon, one late afternoon/evening, and one morning.  I think most people liked evening best, but I liked the hottest time of day.  We grilled at the pool and door dashed pizza to the pool because nobody wanted to get out.  

Playing the color game--haha

Lots of yummy food (and can't forget drinks)

We celebrated Kya's 23rd birthday at The Angus Barn.  We were really excited because it was a "must try" place and was pretty fancy.  Unfortunately the food was just mediocre...the service was amazing though, and the ribs were fantastic.  And they brought Kya this cake for free!

We stopped at Torchys for a quick bite and I have been thinking of it ever since!  It's just a fast food taco place, but their queso was amazing...and my shrimp taco was super yummy too.  Too bad the closest one to me is in Colorado:(

Summer has been a little obsessed with Starbucks lately and Clayton was more that willing to feed the obsession haha.  Summer got two different drinks and didn't even finish half of each, so we may be done with Starbucks--hopefully!

Clayton grilled us burgers at the pool.  Is there anything better?  I don't think so!

Summer and Clayton saw a YouTube video about making ice cream using a frozen watermelon and milk, so they tried it.  It worked, but it was kind of nasty.

Tried a new ice cream place.  Super yum...and Clayton beat me in Connect 4.

Tobacco Road was a cool restaurant overlooking the Durham Bulls baseball field.  It cooled off enough for us to eat outside, but the rain cancelled to baseball game.  We watched World Cup soccer on the screens instead.  And Summer lost her tooth right in her chicken wings!!!

After fireworks, we went through the drive thru and got Cookout milkshakes

Lots of entertainment

Because it was hot, we had to get creative in the things that we did.  We really didn't want to be caught walking around during the hottest part of the day, so most of  showing us around had to be in the evening.  Walking around Cary Park as the sun was setting was beautiful, and still quite hot.

We spend a few hours at the mall.  Kya and Summer tried twinning at Lululemon.

We did an escape room...it is so frustrating when you don't get to finish it!  It was a really well done room, we just wasted too much time at the beginning.

We walked down (forced Summer against her will) to Koka Booth Amphitheater to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July.  There were a ton of people there and it was an excellent show, even if we were still dripping sweat at 9:30pm...but honestly, it was nice not having to wear a jacket like in WA.

Kya and Clayton took us to walk around Fenten.  It's a cute outdoor shopping/restaurant/social area.  We ate at a super yummy restaurant and hung out on the cute chairs until we got too hot.  It was pretty empty because it was a holiday and most of the things were closed, but such a cute vibe.

We drove around UNC campus...actually we did get out and walk around a little bit too, but it was hot.  Such a beautiful campus...didn't get a picture of the UNC blue water tower though!

On the last day we walked around downtown Durham.  It rained in the morning and the temperature had dropped probably 10 degrees, so it was much more enjoyable.

Lots of time together...but never enough!

Love and miss you Kya and Clayton!

Calgary with "the big girls" (June's New Thing)

 Never have I ever...been to Alberta!  As a Canadian who grew up in BC, that is quite the unique "never have I ever".  But alas, I can't use that any more since ... I WENT TO CALGARY (and Banff)!!!!

At the airport ready to board.  I had never flown out of the Abbotsford airport before and it was so great.  Small airports are the best!  We also got to board the plane from the front and the back depending on where your seat was, and the flight was only an hour long.  On the way home I got to sit in an exit row with an empty seat beside me--it was glorious!

Flying over the Rockies was breathtaking!

Becca was there to pick us up!  First of many trip selfies:)

Quick stop at Peter's for dinner--yum.

It was so cold and windy so we raced through our burgers and milkshakes!

Becca's cute neighborhood.  

Jordan and Manda stayed with Becca and Brody, while Tina and I slept at Brody's parents place.

Meeting the famous Loki!!!

Dinner Theater was entertaining...even if Jordan had to send back her food--haha.

Downtown Banff was so cute!

Us with the Mountain....we started off in jackets, but quickly didn't need them.  

Such great weather.

The girls being silly

Beavertails!  We were waiting at the door for them to open--haha, not on purpose!  

So yummy

Tina introduced me to Cow's ice cream!!  So good:)

Becca trying Nanaimo Bar ice cream---and yes, it was delicious!

Anita Louise at Lake Louise 😁

Pictures don't do it justice--so beautiful.

Sisters:)

The big girls--BFFs from day one

It's hard to take a selfie with all of us and the mountain!

Bow river

Spent a good amount of time at the mall before our flight. 

Bass Pro Shop was impressive.

We got to see Brody too:)

Such a fun trip! So grateful for Becca.  She's been through a lot health-wise these past few years and I thought I might lose her.  It's so wonderful to see her happy and healthy.  And so fun to travel with my sister, Manda, and Jordan.  Now we need to plan another trip!

 

AND I need to go back to Banff and do some hiking!