There is something so refreshing about being in the mountains with the fresh air and scent of pine. I have really been pushing for time outdoors the last few weeks. Although I haven’t really had to push since Sam is always open to whatever adventure I want to go on and enjoys being outdoors just as much as I do. We were lucky enough to have 2 visits from MN this month! It was fun getting them into the mountains for some hiking. Our first hike was to Lena Lake in the Olympic National Forest.

 

Lena Lake is a 6.6 mile out and back trail with a 1,610 foot elevation gain. This is the second time I have done this trail. This was one of the first hikes I did when we moved to Washington. It was just as beautiful the second time!

The hike itself is not physically difficult but having fussy kids made it one of the more difficult hikes we have done! Aspen was just not content with anything we did. Stick and rocks didn’t help, food was only helpful for a few minutes. She didn’t want to be carried or walk. A late start to the day means she missed her morning nap, adding to the fussiness. Usually we are starting our hikes at about 8 am. We didn’t start till almost 10! But we just kept going! Odin was a champ and hiked almost the entire way! He did about 3.2 miles! So proud of him.

 

Aspen seemed to do better the closer we got to the lake! She started to enjoy herself a little more! She enjoyed playing on the bridges and looking through her binoculars. Odin was having a blast with Auntie.

 

My kids have the best dad! Not every dad would carry both kids up a mountain!! It was just the last .4 miles before making it to the lake!

And finally Lena Lake comes into view! We enjoyed some snacks while admiring the lake.

The hike down went much smoother. Aspen napped in the pack and Odin enjoyed a ride down too!

 

Hurricane Ridge is located in the Olympic National Park. Sam and I went here a year ago when we were out in WA for job interviews. It was hiking on Hurricane Ridge that we decided I would be accepting one of the job offers I received and moving to WA! It is a breathtaking spot to visit and hike! This time we did the Hurricane Hill trail – a mostly paved path perfect for kids.

 

There are black tailed deer everywhere. We even saw a mama deer with her two fawns. The kids had so much fun watching them!

 

Odin and Auntie spotted one! Can you see the deer below!?

Perfect day to visit Hurricane Ridge!

 

One of my dear friends Aislynn and her husband John came for a quick visit. We showed them the beach and got them to hike Green Mountain in Bremerton. Then the Gold Creek tail up to the view point. There wasn’t a clear view of the Olympic Mountains due to the cloud coverage but it was still an awesome hike! Odin hiked out and back himself. It’s about 4.2 miles with close to a 800 foot elevation gain! Aspen did almost all of it too! Our time was short but it was so refreshing to be around old friends! There is already talk of another trip out this way! Next time with their kids.

 

So thankful to be surrounded by mountains and to make memories with old friends in a new place!

On to the next adventure…