Diane’s World

Howdy world.

First of all, I would like to claim insanity for the last post. Thanks for understanding.

So I said I was going to go backpacking.

I lied.

What we ended up doing instead: (the Purple line is our road trip)

Yes folks, that’s right. My dad and I went on a wild goose chase - 402 miles - around the Olympic Pennisula. In the car, of course.

Don’t get me wrong, we had every intention to backpack. When we got to the trial head, however, we were told that the place was packed and there was no room for us. Boo.

SO - we took a nature drive. Stopping once at a really nice beach to gather some Vitamin D (sun rays…).

Still inclined to get a hike in, the next morning we woke up and got Andrew to go with us on the first leg of the the Wonderland Trail (a 94 mile trail that circles the timberline of Mt. Rainier - the biggest volcano on the contiguous united states… you can see it on the lower right corner of the previously posted map).

We did a 14 mile hike with a 3,000 foot elevation gain to Indian Henry’s. It was a hike, (not a backpack trip), so it was relatively easy to do.

It was a beautiful day, and Andrew was nice enough to let me use his iPod the whole trip. So in the 7 hours of hiking time, I got to listen to all the best music. My theory is that anything you can do while listening to good music is well worth doing it.

Other aspects of the trip were just as interesting. Andrew forgot to bring a belt, and I had to hike behind him the entire trip. I guess I was really bored, and when you hike up you have to keep your attention at the area around you. So the only thing I really got to entertain me was the occasional dramatically acted Andrew-pants-pulling-up time. Yeah, weird things happen when I get bored. Like measuring my nose.

Oh yeah. Another interesting thing is that when you burp in the wilderness, it ECHOS! I know! So cool! (My mom’s gonna kill me that I told that to the world!)

So here are some pictures to prove one thing: My state is prettier than your state!!!

The Valley and Indian Henry’s (Near the Top)

One of the many bridges on the way up:

And at the very top, my dad rewarded us with a Cigar! Yay! And I even got my favorite type, a Vincent Sinclair. If anything, the cigars proved to be EXCELLENT bug repellents. So keep that in mind the next time you go outside:

Me and my Dad

And good Ol’ Andrew.

So it was a grand time. We are planning to do a hike on the other side of the mountain this Saturday! So things will be interesting.

Besides that not much has gone on. I have a few pictures that will make Rachel happy:

First me and my good friend, Patty-Wack.

And here is Andrew with Sammy and reading to Patrick. Isn’t that precious?

Anyways, I’ll be back at Dordt in about 10 days. Still lots to do till then. I’m thinking another post is coming soon.

Take it easy y’all!