The Sixth Day

World-class rock climbing at Smith Rock! This is Tim Schrank, walking up the mountain like he's a spider!

This is Alex, again, ambling up there like it's the easiest thing he's ever done.

This is Liv, making rock climbing look like it's no big deal.

Tim Walsh, who does every sport naturally, easily, and well.

Amy, doin' her thang.
There are no pictures of me rock climbing. I DID try, but I just want to say, "It's NOT that easy!" (And, apparently, I'm afraid of heights...)

Oh, Lord,

my God,

when I, in awesome wonder,

consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.

Cold Play: Swimming in a real mountain lake

Swimming at the base of Three Sisters Mountains

Day Four: Across the Cascades and Into the Wild

Back to Mount Hood for a ride up the Magic Mile (ski lift).












A view from the lift






















Superman

As we crossed the Cascade Mountains,
we drove through a huge Indian reservation.

Our new home. For five days, we lived here at this primitive campsite.











"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy amidst the simple beauty of life. (Anne Frank)
















The kids invented their own refrigerator.
















It's always a party with Tim Schrank













This one's for Sung!

Climbing up the rough side of the mountain

On the road up the mountain

Ah, I could live here.

Alex lost his shoe at this spot...several of us had gotten out for a bathroom break (notice there are no toilets anywhere...) Unfortunately, we didn't realize he'd lost his shoe until we'd reached our hiking destination...which meant we had to drive back, get his shoe and go back up. It's not a little mountain people!











There she is in the distance--the whole top blew off when she erupted in 1980.



A bridge had washed out in June when melting snow created a
rushing river...we had to hike a mile
and a quarter along the road just to
get to the trailhead. Liv's wondering
if this is really worth it.















The trailhead with lots of snow...at the end of June!

We lost the trail, so decided to follow the river. Maybe not our best decision...

Pictures do not describe how strong
the current of this melted snow river was. But Tim worked for 20 minutes to lay a tree across it so we could cross, and, well, do you see a tree anywhere?

As close as we could get that day! (The visitors' center and several roads and trails were closed because of a heavy snowfall in May.)

Dinner at McMinnimin's

Amy eating meat.

Amy's friends, Tim Schrank and Gretl the doctor.