4 days, 3 nights Exploring New Places

 We left last Thursday morning from the Bowman trail head up to John Henry Lake.  The morning was brisk and chilly with frozen fingers.  The cold feelings only lasted about 15 minutes up the 7 mile trail, before our first break with sweatshirts being removed and candy snacks taken out to munch on.  We went with the Olson clan again and our friend's Jen and Adam's dog Friday.  We have missed having a dog and she needed some play time so we brought her along.

 We ate lunch in brownie basin looking up into this saddle where the kids are standing.  This is about 5 miles in and 7800ft, the last climbing they would have to do before descending into Wilson basin and JH lake.  They were tired but still plugging along.  Our original destination was North Minam Meadows but it was 10 miles in and the kids really weren't into passing up John Henry Lake on the way by so we thought we would check it out.

 

 and it was beautiful, so we set up camp.

I mean who could resist throwing off your pack, putting on flip flops and knowing you have nothing to do but this for 4 days.  I LOVE IT!

 I had bought these pink floaties for this reason and Nojah did not want to pack his in.  Because I KNEW he would want his sisters once we were up there, I was just nice enough to pack his for him (In his own pack).  He wasn't impressed when he found out, but he did enjoy it and carried it back home without any complaints.

We explored a very cool mine.  Still intact with boxcar rails and all.  I am normally apprehensive about the kids climbing around in very old holes in the ground, but this one was great.  I am still trying to find some history on it but haven't had much of a chance yet.  I think it's one of the most intact mines left in the wilderness.

Inside the mine.

 Boxcar rails.

 Typical lunch/breakfast/dinner scene

 Comparing finds during a scavenger hunt Jennifer put together.  I was so glad she had done this because it took up about 5 hours of the day and was super fun for the kids.  Nojah and Sarah found a grasshopper for fishing and Lex and Katie made a worm because they couldn't find anything.  But they were proud of it.  Lex swam across the lake in her underwear on her floaty to the island where she had remembered a feather when that was one of the things they were suppose to find.  It was great fun watching them come up with things.

 

 On the last day we hiked to over look North Minam Meadows.  The meadow was a 3.5 mile hike downhill and we weren't sure the littlest of them 8 year old Sarah would be up for the whole 7 mile venture before returning the next day so the girls and Jennifer opted to turn back at the overlook.  Nojah and I took the opportunity to hike down to play in the Meadow for the afternoon.  I always love the one on one time with my kiddo's and he is turning into quite a little mountain goat with few complaints when it comes to hiking, so the 3.5 miles with 2000ft of elevation gain getting back to camp was a piece of cake.

The best part was we got back to camp to find this man taking a nap smack dab in the middle of it.  This is the very reason why you always leave good instructions on where you'll be.  He had 7-10 miles to go to find us in the wilderness but he always proves to be a good tracker.  We were very happy to see him as this year we haven't gotten to spend much time together as a family.

 and even better he got to hike out with us and carry our tent out which lightened my load significantly.  What a good man.  He also got to listen to Alexyss cry almost the entire 7 miles out.  It just wasn't her day.  Oh well, she can redeem herself next time.  The only sad part of the story is I left my water filter of 6 years next to the lake, even after Sarah kindly reminded me it was there.  Tob thought it was not in my best interest to climb back and retrieve it.  We left notes on all the cars and at the campground and hope it comes home to us but if not I guess I will have to get a new one.

 Hope a good family finds you if we never see you again.  I would be devastated if you had to spend your whole winter frozen alongside John Henry Lake.

UPDATE:  A wonderful family from Portland re-united us and our pump.  We are very grateful and they said they tried it out and loved it.  PERFECT, they got a free trial and I got my pump back.  

We have spent quite a bit more time at the lake this year, enjoying the hot summer days kayaking and swimming with friends.  It's been a lot of fun and makes me wonder why I haven't taken advantage of this large body of water more often.  Yesterday we opted to try something new and rented a couple of paddle boards.  They were a TON of fun.  The kids were on them for the entire 4 hours we rented them minus a 15 minute lunch.  I was surprised at how easy it was to balance and paddle and I will have to admit I had just as much fun as the kids.  I kind of want one, but I am not going to tell them, because they may just talk me into it.....And if you haven't tried it you should! 

A little bit of summer

 It seems like I am not doing a great job keeping up with my blogging.  I could make up a lot of excuses but I think I will just stick to....I WILL TRY AND DO BETTER.  Aug 3, 4, and 5th the kids and I and a good friend backpacked into Maxwell lake.  It's only about 4 miles in which was perfect for getting back in time for work on Sunday.  It wasn't really where I wanted to go, but the kids did and I am glad they chose it.  Couldn't have been a better escape.

 The kids brought one collapsible fishing pole which quickly broke with the reel falling into the glacial icy lake.  After much determination and some irritation on her part this little girl alone had it fixed within a half hour or so while the rest of us bailed and said good luck.  I am kind of proud of her because I am pretty certain I would have quit :-)

 The next day we had an off trail route using the map to find Catched Two lake.  It's a beautiful deep lake that has no trail to it, making it that much more enticing to see.  Because we didn't have day packs with us it was a much shorter hike to climb to the peak above the lake than to try and get down to it.  We were still out 4 hours as it was.  As you can see it's steep.

 Nojah and Lex were both a little nervous sitting on the edge.  The rock I am sitting on did appear in person that at any second it may tumble down to the bottom of the lake, but I made them come sit for the picture anyway, because that is the kind of mom I am.

 I have been to this lake once a couple years ago with sandy via a different route and it is probably one of my favorites.  However it's about 1 mile in on the bottom trail and then 1 mile up off trail with 2000-3000 ft elevation gain, so a little steep, but SO worth it.

 

 From the top we had AMAZING views of most of the wilderness and all the peaks.  These pictures don't do them justice and only show a few of the more popular ones we saw, but I thought I would share.

 Snack stop

An evening at Jackson lake.  While Lex and Jennifer were sleeping, Nojah and I went for a hike.  It's always good to get some quiet one on one with each of the kids.  It's moments like these that are priceless.

 and moments like these as well.  :-)  Good Morning Lex

 

There were beautiful flowers with fishing bait all over them.  Apparently this is what Maxwell fish eat because the ONLY fish Lex caught was with a lady bug.

By Sunday morning we were aching to stay but both had to get back to work.  The hike took us 3 1/2 hours on the way in and 1:45 on the way out.  I wasn't nearly as generous with the breaks the 2nd go around.  It was great fun and we are looking forward to another great backpacking adventure next weekend!!  

I love summer!!

We went to fair.  Lex asked for a baby duck on the last day.  I am pretty sure I said no and then somehow unbeknownst to me

 Lucky Duck followed us home :-)  

So I am pleased to introduce yet another member of our family!  Welcome LuckyDuck!