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Gillette Lake,
Columbia River Gorge |
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Sunshine. It has a way to spark enthusiasm in all minds, young and old. With all the hiking and backpacking Amber and I have done over the past few years, we decided to take advantage of the fine weather and head out to an easy and local spot. Upon arriving at the Bonneville trailhead, we geared up and started on what would be quite the experience for both of us.
Maybe someday.... Most of this hike except .6 miles is a Washington section of the PCT.
The day was positively stunning indeed, with views all around, that is, until we reentered the forest. We hiked under the lines and down to the lake where we looked around for a spot to camp. We did not especially want to camp at the obvious spot beside the lake, rather, we hiked around looking for a more hidden spot away from trail, and the mosquitoes.
There were a lot of downed trees primary from the work of some busy beavers. Since Amber has never seen the work of some real beavers, she was quite amazed at these little portable chain saws.
We looked high, we looked low, we even climbed a hill in the vicinity to find a good camp site. Unfortunately, all we found was the top of a logging road. We scrambled back down to look for a spot along the creek.
Amber could no longer contain her enthusiasm at the local wildlife. She found frogs, lizards, scorpions and snakes. As much as I wanted to find a spot to read or have a think, I could not help but to indulge in the simplicity of her desires, although not long before more complicated things are to be discovered in her young life.
The lizards were out in groups as they soaked up the sun, waiting for Amber to find them.
I admit, I was getting rather anxious to find a spot to crash for the night so I persuaded Amber to help me find one. Unfortunately, finding one meant crossing the creek's bridge which lead to another series of discoveries for this your mind.
Baby brook trout, although not big enough to eat, were on the fascination menu.
Finally I found a spot and set up camp. Amber and I had quite the appetite so we cooked up some Mac and Cheese. She wolfed down most of the box and with the new found energy, proceeded back to the creek for further exploration.
And discover she did as she picked up everything that would let her other than the scorpions she found earlier.
I had to convince my daughter that it was getting late in hours and a fire had to be built. We built it and started the practice of roasting marshmallows.
I was finally able to have a think and pondered future outings and a way to somehow hike the PCT. I would want to hike it in sections of I could not manage to thru-hike it.
Schmores were on the desert menu as Amber knew full well how many she could eat after the day she had. It was getting dark and a new, unexplained, but understood problem arose. Amber had an attack of home-sickness. This was her first attack of the heart-stopping feeling and she did not quite how to handle it. I did the only thing a good daddy could do. I packed up everything with 20 minutes and we would night hike out.
Headlamps blazing, I do not really enjoy night hiking. I have done it a few times before with and without a hiking partner, even in the Olympics, but it is not usually the best of moves. With things to trip on, fall over, and eat you, I was keeping her as close to me as possible. Along the trail, Amber was like an eagle. She managed to spot a millipede that was over 6 inches long and many frogs. I managed to spot a large cat keeping an eye on us as we were going through the clear-cut section before the junction with the PCT. He was perched on top of a mound the trail circumnavigated and with the reflection of the LED headlamps, I could tell his eyes were always the same width; hence watching us. What he was doing there I found out later as we went further. He was watching a family of small deer climb the other side of the clear-cut area.
We escaped without drama and made it back to the car at 11:00p.m.. Amber swore never to do that again, even if she has another attack of home-sickness. It was quite the experience for both of us.
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