my girl on the trails

My friend Marie was mentioning that I don't frequently post photos of Astrid and I on the trails. I'm in a quandary since I'm already carrying roughly 35 pounds on my back when we hike...Do I have enough room and energy for another few pounds? Probably. Anyone who knows me, knows that my camera is more like a limb than a piece of equipment. It is always with me.


This is my new favorite (cell phone) pic of Astrid.  We were on a BIG Blue Mountain last week.  We usually stuff the backpack with a blanket in front of Astrid so that she is more comfortable without the shoulder straps (see photo of us below) and so her knees don't get chaffed...the blanket got dropped near the top of the hike.  I didn't realize this until we were 1/3 of the way back down the mountain.  It was a workout and a half that day.  The blanket simply couldn't be left behind (it is a beautiful blanket that was sewed by Auntie Katie).

I swear if I don't have my camera with me the most AMAZING things seem to happen (and I cannot capture it - except with my own memory). Marie and Astrid (in the jogger stroller) and I went out on a walk last week while we were visiting them. At about 9:05pm there was a most incredible sunset...everything was in perfect alignment...except that I dind't have my camera.

Thank goodness for camera phones.  They are not the greatest quality but they do the job in a pinch.

Most of our photos look the same since I still just have my own arm to take the photo and my arms, although they are extremely long, I can barely fit both of us in the frame.  Forget trying to get Skagit in there.

This is why I don't post many pics of us on the trail.  They all pretty much look the same.  Same girls, different day, ever changing background.



I got a stranger to take this one the other day.

yes, that is a ducky in her hand

Astrid picked a little fallie (flower) on the way down.  Lately I have been letting her hike at the very end (when I can see the car or we'd never get out of the woods! he he he).  She is enjoying this freedom.

There is another backpacking trip in our near future.  Early next week Astrid and I are hoping to make it to a lake in the Bitterroots for an overnight.