anniversary trip!

 uncle tay tay came to watch the kids

 it was his christmas present to us.  anna loves him.  she had a great time and even took a nap!

 you can't see, but we got out above the smog!

 we just went up millcreek canyon on the elbow fork hike.  it was perfect.  no people, sunshine, pretty trees.  It was very reminiscent of when we dated in logan and our first few months of marriage.  We did a lot of exploring in logan canyon.  To say it cheesily: a piece of my heart lives in logan canyon.

 this is in 2009, our first winter in portland (crater lake)

 this is 2008, our first few months of marriage (logan canyon, temple fork, isn't it beautiful)

this is rich 2008 (logan canyon, temple fork)

 back to the present: it was a steep hike and i got scared.

 i bought this trendy head wrap at the used year sale this morning.

 steep!

 i dont know if you can see, but the smog in the valley is intense and gross.

 on the south slopes we ran out of snow, but kept the snowshoes on for the crampon

 i love sunlight filtering through the trees

 Paul gave us some walkie talkies.  We talked to eachother on them since you cant hear when you snowshoe.

 yikes!  a steep drop down!

 we got up on the backside (south side) and found a secret little valley.

 rich is in the top right corner.  i was scared here, it was a straight drop down!

 have to get the wilderness sign pose.

 we found a road we didn't know existed.  Turns out it was a family history trip.  My mom's side are Bowmans - this picnic site is bowman fork.

 My dad's side are gardeners (we are direct descendants of archibald gardner).

 great trip, very rejuvinating.  staying in a hotel overnight doesn't do much for me.  I do love to get out on adventures with richard though.