Sunshine!

We were treated with sunshine and blue skies on Saturday!  A rare event for us during the winter months.  We decided to take advantage of the beautiful day and headed out to Battle Ground for a hike.

On the drive there we had a wonderful view of Mt. St. Helens.

To see all the waterfalls we didn't have to do a lot of walking.  We did however need to drive to 3 different parking lots to see each one.  Everything was close by and easy to find.  I'm disappointed in my camera because the pictures do not do the views justice.

Sunday Stroll

We thought it would be good to get the kids out of the house for some fresh air on Sunday.  It was a good idea... until the rain hit half way through our two mile walk!  :o)

Lacamas Heritage Trail

We must be a little crazy… but last Sunday we snuck out of the house in-between the rain showers for a short (2 mile) walk a long Lacamas Heritage Trail. Our umbrellas did come in handy a couple of times, but for the most part it stayed dry.

We even got a taste of home when we came across some Canadian geese. :o)

Working off the Halloween Candy...

On Sunday we went for a walk a long Round Lake in Lacamas Park.

I always imagine our strolls as relaxing... and maybe even quiet, with the occasional soft comment to one another...

Then I am quickly reminded that won't be the case. Carson takes our walks as his opportunity to talk non-stop. Which is great and all... but his conversations usually revolve around lego...

Star Wars Lego... Indiana Jones Lego.... Secret Agent Lego.... all the things he can make and create with... LEGO.

Yeah... I love the kid and all, but eventually I told him I couldn't talk about lego any more. He replied, "why Mom? Do you get too excited thinking about it?" :o)

It's Raining... LEAVES?!

Today Al took the kids for a walk a long the Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway. They brought their umbrellas in case the rain made an appearance. However, the only thing that fell around them were the leaves. So Carson and Katie discovered a new use for their umbrellas! :o)

(For the record I stayed home since I am still recovering from the worst cold I have had in years - - cue self pity music now :o).

Mosier Twin Tunnels

Today we spent our afternoon visiting the Mosier Twin Tunnels a long the Senator Mark O. Hatfield Trailhead. We picked the entrance with the mile walk to the twin tunnels (instead of the 5 mile walk). :o)

The views were beautiful and the walk was nice. My only two complaints is that you had to keep an eye out for cyclists (that often sped around corners at alarming speeds) and you'd never want to go on a hot day as there is little to no shade on the trail.

With that said, the kids had a blast. Initially they were both hesitant to enter the tunnels. Katie found it a little scary looking and Carson didn't help matters when he expressed concern that it might be haunted. However once they went inside they both declared it wasn't scary after all, but very, very cool. :o)

Sunday Afternoon Hike

Shhhh... turtles snoozing, birds resting...

Please stay on the trail.

Today we visited the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and took the mile and a half walk on the Kiwa Trail.

This is seriously a must if you live in the Vancouver area. The crushed gravel pathway is an easy walk. The wildlife was amazing! (Pictures not included: ladybugs, caterpillars, minnows and otters). :o)