Missing the Sun

It's been pretty rainy here the last few weeks.  I'm ready for sunshine!  The yucky weather hasn't stopped me from getting my wogs (walk/job) in. 

This was a few days ago on the bike trail.  Those dots you see on the path are my girls, B & J, riding their bikes along with me.

 I must say, the spring rain is making for some very pretty, spring colors!



Pilot Rock

Last weekend, Barbarian/Hubby and I climbed Pilot Rock with our friend, Camper. The summit of Pilot Rock is over 5900 feet. The climb covers an elevation change of 2000+ feet. Pilot Rock is actually the cooled magma of an ancient volcano's central vent. Over time the exterior of the volcano has eroded away. I was pretty excited to climb until I found out about the extreme free solo rock climb required at the end of the trail to summit the rock.

Upon further research (I googled), I discovered that people have died trying to make the final climb. OMG! Are you kidding me? I am a pretty careless gal that usually has a few unexplained bruises at any given time. But I couldn't back out. The boys would never let me live it down!

We set out at 7:00 AM.  We wanted to beat the heat and other hikers.  We could see Pilot Rock from several miles out.  And as we got closer, it got bigger.  Oh my.  It was going to be a long morning.

The first part of the trail was a pretty easy, dirt trail.  Then it started going uphill fast at a steep angle.  The boys were leaving me behind but I was okay with that.  They like to race to the top.  I prefer to take my time, enjoying the trail and my surroundings.  And then was my least favorite part.  Steep, dirt and large loose gravel.  It sucked!  Most of this part required a lot of using your hands to climb.  Lots of bear walking.  Not so fun.

So I made it to the top of that section to see this...

The last section of the trail.  The rock.  Camper was already half way up.  Can you see him in the white t-shirt in the middle of this pic? 

And then there was this part.  This is where the free solo rock climbing started.  Camper got up and then it was Barbarian's turn...

It was at this point that he was beginning to think he might not make it up.

But he did!  And then it was my turn.  Please, please, please let me make it up there! 

Not only did I make it up there, I fly up the side of that rock!  Who knew my long legs and arms combined with my flexibility would make climbing so easy.  I showed those boys a thing or two! 

I found this cool marker on top of the rock.  I wonder when it was put there?

Did I mention it was our six month anniversary?  And that is how we spent it.  On top of a rock, looking out to see California on one side and Oregon on the other.  Perfect!

Table Rock

Last Sunday we went on a family hike up and across Upper Table Rock.  Upper and Lower Table Rock are cliff-edged mesa buttes.  At one time, they were a sanctuary for the Takelma Indians.

We saw lots of lizards along the trail up.  And gorgeous wildflowers everywhere!

This is what you find once you reach the top of the trial!  Once on top of Table Rock, it's a very open, flat mesa.

Barbarian needed to rest...

J, on the other hand, was feeling very powerful!

I love this photo of Barbarian and J with Mt. McLoughlin in the background!

And this?  This is just B being B.  Enough said.

This is as close as we dared venture to the edge!  Such an amazing view of the Rogue River.  So worth the effort.  We hope to hike Lower Table Rock soon.

Three Weeks in OR

Where has the last couple of weeks gone?  Work keeps me so very busy.  But that's probably a good thing.  It's hard to be away from my girls all this time.  Only two more weeks until I see them!  I can't wait!

Barbarian and I try to go for a hike on the trails and hills every evening.  We usually go for 1-2 hours.  These hills are really working my legs!  

I took this photo on one of our hikes last week. 

Can you see our house?