Larch Mountain

Last Friday, after an appointment in Gresham, we had some free time and decided to go check out Larch Mountain with the kids. They hadn't been up there that they could remember so up we went.

 It's a great lazy day hike as you drive 14 miles up the mountain thru the OR. fir  and hemlock lined road, and then you hike all of a 1/4 mile or less to a beautiful view.

 I enjoyed the chance to get some fun pictures of the "flora and fauna", tho I don't know what this one is called.

 One of those grasshoppers or locust that clicks when it flies. :) It scared the boys the first time they heard its noise as they had been asking about bears and what else might be up on a mountain.

 Fireweed

 ?

 Beetlebug along for the ride

 Wild blueberries in season.

 She was intent on removing all bark from her stick.

 This guy bumbled in and let me take his picture before flying on.

 Are we there yet?

 To the edge and thankfully not beyond...

 cause it's a long way down!

 You can see 5 mountains from this point on a nice clear day, that's Mt. Hood in the background. Since we haven't had much rain in the last month it was pretty hazy but we could see most  of them except Rainer.

 Even the Columbia was a bit hidden.

 Although we had left light rain showers in town it was hot up here.

 A nice Asian lady took this one for us, Jewels is not impressed by the other lady trying to get everyone to smile.

 These little plants remind me of life,  holding onto the ROCK trying to keep sight of the big picture through the haze. :)
  (Mt. St. Helens is out there if u look hard enough)

 All in a row, but hey, one's missing...

there he is, but, all five looking at the camera at the same time would be too perfect. :)

We ended the tour by stopping in at Crown Point, but the camera battery was gone by then. We got to go inside for first time, ever. We have been up there plenty before just to drive by or enjoy the view in the winter when the ever present rain clouds get too drizzly, or to, maybe, ask someone to marry you. :) This is where Mr. Tech proposed to me, in December of 2005. Anyway it was fun to finally see inside and climb to the balcony and check out the gift shop in the basement and the tunnel. Didn't even know it had all that stuff until now. :) Then the kids had their favoritest :) snack of Wendy's frosty and french fries. Not the healthiest I know but it actually tastes rather good together being salty and sweet. Then it was time for prayer meeting in Gresham to end off a fun afternoon. ~ SJo