Solstice Stupidity 2012: time to hike

After Saturday's early-morning trek to the top of Palmer and refueling in Hood River, it was time for Solstice Stupidity Leg #2: hiking the Wahkeena Falls-to-Multnomah Falls loop in the Gorge.

A lack of sleep contributed to some confusion in finding the right exit for the trail head (westbound is tricky!). But we finally got it done and geared up for our second adventure of the day.

How's that stretch go again, Tyler??

Let's do this!

Gorgeous trail, following waterfalls almost the whole way!

 Fairy Falls:

At the top of Wahkeena, Nick had some sort of accident that may or may not have involved poop.

At the summit before heading down to Multnomah Falls:

There's the big one:

At the bridge:

The loop (really a big square) is about 5.5 miles and 1,600 feet.

A little group stretching before hopping back in the cars:

How's that go again, Tyler??

The weather was perfect for our hike: dry and a pleasant temp. Some blue sky and sun even showed up.

Next up: the Twlight Run 5K. Stay tuned! :)

Previous Solstice Stupidity adventures: 2011, 2010, 2009

Solstice Stupidity 2012: Hood to Coast!

We got STUPID Saturday with our fourth-annual Solstice Stupidity adventure. (2011, 2010, 2009)

Tyler, Jeffrey, Nick, Jonathan, Rachel, Brad and I met at 3:30 a.m. at our house in Tigard, quickly loaded up two cars and left for Timberline Lodge. The clock in the car as we headed out:

The sky was lightening as we geared up for our trek up to the top of the Palmer Glacier.

Brad, Jeffrey and Nick planned to skin up in their back-country skis. I don't have that set up, so Brad offered to carry my down-hill skis and boots so I could hike up and ski down. That pack was heavy! What a great guy :)

Tyler also doesn't have back-country skis, but he had to carry his own gear:

Jonathan and Rachel opted to hike up and glissade down.

It was fairly socked in and started snowing lightly while we got ready.

The "view" toward the summit:

The lodge:

Ready to go for Solstice Stupidity Leg #1:

It was warm and not too windy but snowing harder the higher we got.

At the top, 8,500':

I dropped the camera in the snow. Oops!

Looking up at the summit:

 South toward the lodge:

We skied (or glissaded) down on several inches of fresh powder over crust. It was awesome! 

Unfortunately, the flat light made seeing the contours nearly impossible, so Brad and I made our way over to the groomers. It was still good skiing :)

After a brief sit down in the day lodge, we loaded up and drove to Hood River for breakfast at Bette's Place.

Camera still foggy: 

Tyler's sausage:

Good refueling... plus a drier in the bathroom!

Then a short walk for lattes:

Staying awake so far!

Next up: hiking Wahkeena Falls. Stay tuned! :)

Garden greens and a new rain barrel

The garden is growing!!

Look what I grew:

We've been eating tons of chard, spinach, lettuce and cilantro - right from our driveway!

My parents got me this new rain barrel last year, and Brad just finished installing it. It looks great, and now I'll have water right at my garden!

I can't wait for this weekend's rain to fill it up :)

June 21:

June 8:

May 21:

Hello, Summer!

We are ready!

 

 Doesn't your bike have an antenna ball?!?!

:)