What a difference a year makes. O can (almost entirely) walk the 1.9 miles to our reserved campsite so we both get to use real backpacks – no big kid carrier needed!
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| this year's backpack - 54 lbs with camera gear - what luxury! |
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| last year's backpack - 75-80ish pounds with O - woof! |
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| completely fearless |
Clothing needs were also minimal: a set of long underwear, rainwear (top and bottom), warm weather shirts and shorts, a fleece jacket each - simple.
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| as always, we took it slow (about 1 mile per hour) |
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| great trail. occasionally we would get a hit of that extra-wonderful fir forest smell |
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| very hungry elk do this |
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| with the right tent stake, camp had an unusual convenience built right in (don't pound it in very far or it'll never come out) |
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| got stick? wacka-wacka. things little boys do |
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| see-saw. things little boys do |
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| next day's hike in a light rain |
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| O didn't hike the entire way (2.6mi, one way) |
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| watch the stick buster! |
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| lovely forest |
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| Sand Beach Lake. this place confuses me: only young trees within 10 vertical feet of the lake level. lack of nutrients in the sand? old lake level was higher? questions questions... |
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| got hole? |
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| get in hole |
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| Bluebells |
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| a tasty snack back at camp |
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| they stood facing each other and took turns waving their arms and roaring at each other. things little boys do |
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| love these tiny clips 1 |
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| love these tiny clips 2 |
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| love these tiny clips 3 |
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| next day's hike out |
