1. My body is way to old and broken to hike this trail! My back was fine, knees and ankles - not so fine!
2. I will gladly view God's amazing creation through other peoples pictures and video! 3. No matter how much you mentally prepare for this hike, if you don't prepare enough physically then you are in BIG trouble!
4. A weekend without kids is not worth all this pain and agony!
5. Noises! It is amazing how many grunts & groans and other bodily noises can come from people while they are hiking!
6. Nursery the day after a hike like this is not recommended!
7. Even if a 77 year old lady can hike all the way to the top of the mountain, that does not mean that you can!
8. Only hike with people who will love you, even when they see and hear things from you that they shouldn't. Butt cracks and body noises! Hiding behind a rock to use the bathroom is really no fun at all! How on earth do you squat to pee and not let it splash on your shoes???
9. Even if you do not make it to the top, it does not mean you should try to attempt it again.Sorry April - I do not think I will be joining you next year.
10. It doesn't matter if you have all the greatest hiking gear, you are still giong to fall on you bottom several times and end up with many bumps and bruises!
Does anyone want to buy some hiking gear? Don't think I will be using it again!
For those of you that are not familiar with this hike, it is about 5 miles up! and I mean UP!! 2 miles through wooded area, not too bad. The about 1 1/2 miles through rocks, with most of that climbing from one boulder to the other! then to finish it off with 1 mile through ash!The average round trip hike time is 7-12 hours. Melissa and I made it in 12, but we did not even make it to the ash past. Chris made it the whole way up and back down in 14 1/2 hours!
The hills and hills of rocks, or should I say boulders, that we climbed.
The fog made it look like we were going to fall off a cliff.
This is the view once we got through the clouds.
The first 2 miles we hike on trails like this one.
Then we climb over rocks for about a mile and a half.
another view of inside the crater.
Love this picture of the sun coming out through the fog.
another crater picture
Well, we did it again! Chris hiked all the way to the top of Mt. St. Helen's in 14 1/2 hrs. Melissa and I almost made it, but did not. We did spend 12 hrs up there in attempt to make it. The weather was so different this year. It was cloudy and cool! Nice hiking weather, but I did forget how easy you can get a sunburn when there is no sun! Memories were made!
Katelynn's ring from her daddy!!
Katelynn's reaction to her new guitar from her Granny and Aunt Amy!
Kate's barbie goodies from Pa and Nancy
Zach's Clemson Hoodie from Pa and Nancy
Christian was so excited to get his very own Bible!!
Kate's easy bake oven!
KAte's ring from her daddy
Rayna playing with the wrappings
Zach's new video game, Leapster Diji!!
Christians train set
Lili's new kitchen set
Christians new cars bike!
Lili's new clothes and shoes! She is all girl, loved the fancy boots!!
Something exploded in our living room!!
