Jim and Vickie's Anniversary

Today is Sunday, Dec. 22, 2007 and is Jim and Vickie's anniversary. We started the day at 9 am and headed for the Sky Country trailhead of Cougar Mt. It was a wet and slightly rainy day. Due to the particular good luck of Mary, the rain never became significant. This luck most likely was due to a boon Mary must have received from earlier years' good works. Although at times muddy, the hike around Mine Shaft Trail via East Fork Trail, was very enjoyable. We hiked 3.23 miles in 1 hour and 52 minutes.
We returned to a delicous brunch prepared by Chef James Carlson at the Carlson home. After brunch and superior conversation Mike and Mary returned home to relax. Mike commented on the way home how pleasant was the comparny of the Carlsons. It was a great day.

Mary checks her map with help from others

Today, Sunday Dec. 16, 2007 (which incidentally is Tyler's 1/2 year birthday), Jim, Vickie, Mike, and I hiked from the Redtown Trailhead to the Sky Country Trailhead. We started down Redtown Trail and turned up Indian Trail. I meant to have us turn right onto Quarry Trail but as Jim got me talking I inadvertantly missed the turn. When the mistake was discovered, we were far down Indian Trail so turned off at Far Country Trail. We looped through the lookout point and continued on this beautiful secluded trail which turned into Shy Bear Trail, turning right into Fred's Railroad Trail. We soon were on familiar ground and reached Sky Country Trailhead. We took a shorter route back and found we had hiked 5 miles which took 3 hours. Our extended distance cost us an hour but made an enjoyable and rewarding hike.

Hike between two trailheads

Hike between two trailheads

Saturday morning Jim, Vickie, and I (Mary) started our hike from the Sky Country Trailhead on Cougar Mt. We started out on Old Man's Trail and headed up Coyote Creek Trail to the Anti-Aircraft Trailhead where we stopped for a few pictures until heading back an alternate route. Another hiker saw us taking pictures of each other and volunteered to take one of us all together. It was a beautiful hike which we enjoyed even though a few unexpected turns were taken however still allowing us to reach our final destination. Mike was not present as he was in Kettle Falls winterizing the house and would return on Sunday night.

Hike around Tibbetts Marsh

Today Jim, Vickie, Mike, and I hiked around Tibbetts Marsh from the Anti-Aircraft Peak Trailhead on Cougar Mt. The trees were tall and leafless for the most part but layers upon layers of follage surrounded us on the pleasant hike. The day was cloudy but dry except for the occasional muddy trail. We all had a great time! The hike lasted 1 hour 15 minutes and was 2 miles long

Hike around Long Marsh

Sunday, Mike and I took a hike from the Redtown Trailhead around Long Marsh. It was a leafy cloudy day with a crisp fresh light breeze in the air. We enjoyed the hike. Jim and Vickie were at Benaroya Hall for a Seattle Symphony performance. Diane, Scott, and Tyler were in Seattle for a brunch and purchasing a Christmas Tree.

Hike via Protector Trail

Today, Jim, Vickie, Mike, and I headed out from Anti-Aircraft Trailhead for a pleasant walk down Shangri La Trail. Mike saw an old navy hat on a post and we all thought it was his. However, he did not claim it. When it showed up again toward the end of the hike we all realized we had missed the turn off and were looping around again. We made the correction and retraced our steps until we reached the trailhead. It was a delightful hike with none of the predicted rain, instead being clear and fresh. The hike was 2.79 miles long.