Mountainscapes and The Pacific Crest Trail

Family adventures are the best kind.  Last weekend, we headed up the Gorge and into the mountains for what we thought would be one final berry picking.  Instead, we spent most of the late afternoon driving 10+ miles way high, high up into the wilderness, where not another soul was seen, and where the sights were simply majestic.  It's quite the experience to find you and your family in the midst of such beauty, undisturbed. It's as if those mountains and trees were ours to swallow up once we arrived...

Seems God waits on us to arrive in such places--the places where words are scarce, and flip-flops will do, even if you do find yourself on the Pacific Crest Trail for the first time in your life.  And the berries that you thought you went for wont be there, and the six large bowls you have in the back of the car are laughable.  But instead of bowls overflowing with huckleberries, blueberries and raspberries, His glory fills the air and falls over the mountainscape, as every tree glows in its early fall turning, and silence crashes across the land.  This is what we came for.  These are the moments that fill us up, bring healing and re-prioritize our lives.

Our Doe Friends

The other night, as I was putting the kids down for bed, I heard footsteps on the porch.  I looked out front and there wasn't anyone.  Then I looked out the kids' window, and there, four feet away from me, staring into our window, was one of the year-old does that have been frequenting our property.  They were here the night before, too, and don't seem frightened of me, the children or my camera.  We're pretty sure they were born in the upper portion of our property last year, and must still call our place home.  I haven't seen their mama recently, so I'm not sure if she's still around.  Husband and I saw saw them again this afternoon, bedded down in the upper property, with all ears toward us. 

Hey, you!  Come back here!

I think we should name them.

Brooklynn's name ideas--Scaredy and Likey.

Asher's ideas--Chooka and Tika.......

and I'm still thinking.

Snow Days

It has been snowing off and on for the last three days and we're doing our best to enjoy this rare occasion!  Hope you're keeping warm!

Backyard Treasure Hunt

Last weekend, while Husband's friend, Rickey, was here hanging with Husband, he treated our little ones to a backyard treasure hunt.  After exciting them with the idea, he asked them to help him draw a map of their proposed hunt.  Then he sent them on their way for proper shoes and coats, and of course a basket for their treasures.  After helping Asher tie his shoe, I overheard Rickey explain when Asher asked for a lift, that "each person had to make their own way." 

Husband and I smiled as we watched his hunting partner and friend from teenage years walk around the edge of the property with our two small ones, each fully invested in their "hunt."  When they returned, nearly forty-five minutes later, their basket was full of hunted treasures--treasures even I was surprised were scattered about the property.

They found a plethora of earthly finds,

and a candle...?

and what Husband called a "jarred Ecosystem...?"

I'm not sure who was eating pickles by candle-light in the trees or when...

but the treasures kept them enthralled for some time.

Thank you Rickey for showing our kids how to have a true backyard adventure!

I may have to set out on a treasure hunt of my own to see what other non-earthly things are hiding in the trees.  However, I did watch a coyote trot across the yard the other morning, and I have found a set of animal teeth and bones on the lawn.  Hmm...maybe I'll keep the treasure hunts to indoors!  I'm still looking for my planner and a few other items since the move!