A Spectacular Saturday

 Arielle has been working on the MatSu Burrough Trails Passport challenge all summer. Melia and I have been meaning to work on it but have mostly been doing the same trail over and over.  We suddenly realize we have 10 days to do 8 more trails....

This morning Melia got up early and joined Arielle, Benny, Danny and Ellie and me to hike the Settler's Bay Coastal Trail. Charles doesn't like hiking and had other activities planned for the day.  I had visions of hiking along the coast line....but it took us 31/2 - 4 miles of hiking (according to my watch)....

Benny, Melia, me, Danny, Arielle, Ellie

... up and down the trails below to reach this scenic outlook. 

We hiked around various trails and found ourselves back at Arielle's van twice without finding anything we would count as a "scenic outlook."  We did find rabbits, a ptarmigan and many moths, bees and flies...and we enjoyed the SUNSHINE, the light breeze, the company....

If you've read the blog long you KNOW the fireweed are our indicator that winter is on the way. The fireweed in OUR YARD has not begun to bloom yet. These are about half bloomed....

Check out Ellie's open mouth...

This bench makes me want to contact "someone" and see about having a few with Josiah's names placed around various trails. 

We were about to pack it in and go home when a gentleman pulled in. I went up and asked him if he hiked these trails often. He did. I asked him WHERE the scenic outlook is....out our parking lot, across the street and a very short walk... about 1/10th of a mile....and we found the pretty views. 

Note Ellie - the little ginger head bobbing about mid-picture. She loved running ahead...and as there hadn't been other folks on the trail we let her go. 

Ellie and I got in a little race. She caught up to me and motioned that she wanted me to bend down. She filled my pockets with big rocks. She's a thinker than one. 

It was good for body, soul and spirit to get out and hike today. I loved sitting on a bench with Benny and listening to the wind blowing in the leaves. Of course, the others did catch up to us...and then there were other fun things to listen too. I don't worry about bears when hiking with the kids. They warn the critters away.  Thank you so much for the invite, Arielle. Melia and I are determined to see how MANY of the remaining 7 trails we can fit in before the 19th. 

Allie worked today. She was gone we got home. Stacia joined Melia and I for our first Reuben Haus meal of the season. It was the perfect day for it - and it made us nostalgic for Luke and Krista. 

Stacia had an engagement and left us after a quick run to Bishop Attic. Melia is spending the night with Akemi, her younger sister.

I made a double batch of Kim's Golden Honey Granola (though I added some almond extract). I made a double batch last week and Melia and I finished it today. I have made a LOT of different granolas through the years, but THIS one is the crunch I've been searching for - I think it's the baking powder. 

Michael is having new aches and pains post-surgery. He is staying down. Allie, Stacia and I are heading for the hot tub.