A Little Day Hike

When Kurt's cousin was here, we planned to do lots of things. Unfortunately, they arrived right at the end of a major heat wave we were having so the heat zapped a lot of our energy out of us. By Saturday, we were wiped out so instead of doing a hike like we planned, we rested and went blackberry picking near our house. I will post all about their wonderful visit another time as all those pictures are on my computer which is down at our office. 

We decided this last Saturday to do the hike we had planned for their visit. We had never been there before so it was a fun adventure. It is called Hidden Falls and it is located in Auburn. There are a lot of trails in the area so it was fun to try to read the map and follow the correct one. They do have signs up but sometimes that didn't always match the map exactly.

This was the first little water fall we came to. Evan wasted no time in climbing out there.

And Cody wasted no time in testing out the water. The boy is a serious water dog. Kurt unhooked the leash and it was like he was shot out of a cannon directly into the water. He swam round and round with no intention of ever getting out. He loves him some water!

We hiked on and came to this swimming hole.

We were not exactly prepared for swimming so Hailey and Evan went swimming in their clothes.

Next time we know to bring the swimsuits and towels! It was hot enough that they were {mostly} dry by the time we got back to the car.

Leaving the swimming hole. That's me in the hot pink shirt.

 Another waterfall.

The only thing I didn't like about this trail - well, actually, there were 2 things - was that the trail itself was very dry and dusty. Our legs and sneakers were completely covered in an orangey/brown dust. The other thing was that there was poison oak {or ivy - how do you tell the difference?} right on the side of the trail. It wasn't too bad as the trail was wide enough that you didn't feel like it was touching you but all it takes is one kid to goof around and fall (or push a sibling) and *poof* poison oak.

Overall, it was a very fun hike. We definitely should have gone earlier so it would have been cooler but we made it and had fun. 

On the hike back, Mr. Cody decided to face plant on the dusty trail and try to roll in it. Lovely. Our all black dog came back half brown. Crazy boy!