We drove up I-90 to Exit #38 to Olallie State Park and started from there to get up to the trail (there is both a road and a trail you can take, we took the road as it is a bit more graded). We headed East and enjoyed the many trestle bridges that span high above the creeks far below. With the snow up high finally melting and the rain I mentioned, the creeks were all running high and fast, so very much worth the walk. If any of you remember I had a brilliant idea a year ago to walk the trail from top to bottom – this March my toe nails finally looked good once again (I didn’t lose any but came close to it and heavily bruised them due to poor footwear choice). The section I took the family on is the best part IMO. It has views, is more quiet and the trestles are fun.

Walker snoozed through much of the hike/stroll and was quite content in his BOB jogger as usual. Life is rough when you have servants to push you around…..

At REI we had picked up a JJ Cole body support liner recently that we dropped into the stroller. He loves the thing. It was an odd find, they had 2 of them, marked down 50% but not on the website or anything. It does though work wonderfully, is reversible (micro fleece and microfiber) and keeps then snug and happy. Mr. Snoozy Pants sleeping…

The trestle over Change Creek:

Hard to see, but it is a tree root that has grown through the rock, the tree is above considerably and quite healthy:

Looking down from the trestle at Hall Creek (or Hull, which is on the bridge. Who knows which is right?):

Kirk and Ford ahead of me:

Coming back on a trestle, there are rock climbers out climbing:

We did a couple miles and Walker was getting fussy (he was hungry) so we headed back. When we got to the turn off for our trailhead Kirk encouraged me to take Ford and keep walking, going West to Rattlesnake Lake and the end of the trail. After a quick nappy change for the wee one, I kissed Walker goodbye – and to be good for Dad – and they took off for the truck, while Ford and I kept going.

While out with Walker I admit I am lazy. I pack everything I can cram onto and under the jogger. It is easier to push than to carry it on my back. Good thing I had my new “purse” with me. A couple weeks ago I saw the Nikole mini backpack at REI, an urban yet outdoorsy backpack/purse in the travel section.The funny thing is it worked perfectly for a 5 mile trail section, where all I needed was a water bottle (it has an expandable water bottle pocket), a couple bars, my camera, etc.

The miles went by quickly. Ford and I were running 2 GPS units to see which was more accurate (more to come on that later!) and knowing Kirk was waiting for us kept our MPH up. Don’t think I have walked that fast in a long, long time.

Ford ahead of me near the end:

I need to get him running shoes. The kid is built for trail running and can blast me. It was a nice hike, both parts of it. I realzied that I hadn’t crossed the 6 mile mark in a long time, since last summer. My last longer hikes were in my first trimester with Walker. So an 8 mile hike was a great feeling!

Kirk and Walker were waiting for us at the end, with the lunch I had made last night, a rice salad and agave chocolate pudding. Delish!

~Sarah

As a Mom who has raised one outdoorsy kid (yeah, you all know him as Ford) and one on the way this winter……well I can say that there is nothing on the market currently for ladies with a bump out front. Having spent this winter wearing cotton pants on the few hikes I have been able to get out on….the thought of technical clothing is just delicious!

~Sarah

The trail runners I am using currently are a pair of Nike Women’s Air Alvord VI. I have the 2008 version that is white/grey/baby blue.

They fit well and are quite comfortable. The downside is they are cut a bit narrow in the toe box so I cannot wear Superfeet in them. That is OK though in most cases as these are my gym shoes most of the time. Normally for hiking I wear the Berry version for women.

I wore them yesterday with my normal Injini socks. The fit with the socks was perfect.

Now though I had something occur that I have avoided for over a year. I got blisters. Ugh. But I didn’t get them where I used to always have them. I have one on the bottom of each little toe – due to my little toes being forced under by the narrow foot box. I also received one on the back of each heel, down low and to the outside. A pressure point it seem I don’t have in my low cut hikers. Combined with nearly all downhill for over 17 miles it adds up. The socks did their magic as they do every hike – no blisters on the inside of my big toes, nor on the balls of my feet – where I used to always get them.

So not quite sure where I stand on the runners. Part of me realizes I asked a lot of them and as well they are on the end of their life span. A new pair would have been better. Still, it was an odd feeling to have blisters when it has been so long without any.

The combo of Superfeet/good fitting low cuts and the toed socks has been a life saver for me – I used to get a couple blisters on every hike.

So wearing Chaco sandals this week and letting them heal naturally. I am hoping they are healed by next weekend (dried up that is).

Not quite ready to say no to runners for long trips but I won’t till I get a new pair. I think I will be getting these. And I will definitely put on blister block next time with them. That should stop most of the issues.

Still, I will most likely keep hiking in my heavier low cut’s to avoid foot issues. I was loving not having blisters!

~Sarah

It was a Mountain Hardwear La Rambla Skirt in espresso brown. As like their pants and shorts, the skirt is designed to be worn under a pack’s hipbelt and not rub your skin wrong. No lumpy belts or ties either, just a thin snap and a small zipper. Flat lying on the waist, it rides on the hips perfectly. The waist is seamless and micro-chamois lined – providing much comfort.

At $60 even I was coughing a wee bit over that – but then I made the mistake of trying it on. It fit perfectly, looked great on and most of all isn’t so short you will worry about the skirt blowing in the breeze.

Better still the skirt is quite light, coming in at less than 1/2 a lb and it dries as quick, if not quicker, as hiking pants do.

An option for those who want a sporty, almost kilt like hiking skirt. It is cute enough on that you can wear this daily, a nice travel option.

I did realize though that it matches my soft shell a wee bit too much. And my Chaco Sandals. :p Oh well, at least they are not pink n’ purple like everything else made for women!

~Sarah

Another recent find for myself, a new ladies Outdoor Research® Essence Duo Tee. Made of 88% polyester and 12% Merino Wool it is combo that both wicks but feels good against the skin. The product used in the top is Dri-Release® Wool.

The top comes in 4 colors, which charmingly match the hats they sell as well

One key thing is the fit. The seams are done differently than most outdoor tops, so they don’t sit under your pack straps. Raglan sleeves do have a point at times! The cut of the shirt is nice as well. Not tight, not baggy. The fabric passes the rough skin test (I always shop when I haven’t used hand lotion – if fabric feels rough, no thanks!). I am a fan of clothing that feels “normal” not like you are dressed in cheap polyester. The length of the T is nice, you won’t get tummy breezes if you stretch and is cut for those with boobage as well, the top doesn’t ride up in the front.

The top has Fresh Guard® added to control odors, we will see how well that works after a few wears.

Weight is 4 ounces for mine and it packs down small.

More to come as I take it on more trips.

~Sarah

Kirk was perusing the sale racks and he found me this:

An Ibex Carrie Boucle Full Zip Hoody Merino Wool Sweater in Shetland Heather/Black. An American made garment of New Zealand wool. At first I wasn’t sure – I liked the other color better, the Dark Cranberry Heather, till I tried them on. Perfect fit as well – the hood will fit under nearly everything I would need it to fit under.

The original price was a bit breath taking but at the winter clearance price I let Kirk treat me to what could well become my backpacker sweater. Call that a bit odd, but I prefer wearing sweaters over fleece. Wool feels better, is warm without clammy and breathes – something I need. For years I wore a Merino wool sweater from LLBean, both on trail and in camp. It wore out finally and I had been wearing fleece once again. The Carrie has a tiny bit of polyester added that gives the jacket/sweater a slim fit, without the bulky hang of a normal wool sweater. It packs down smaller than fleece as well.

It might not be the lightest (around 1 lb), that evens out due to how functional it is. This will be great for early mornings when hiking in the cold air to sitting in my tent at night this summer. The slim cut will be perfect under my rain jacket as well.

More to come as I test it out.

~Sarah

I saw the above hat, an OR Sonnet cap and totally fell for it. They had all four colors and while the sky blue had me sighing for it, the eggplant looked perfect on me. It is rated for UPF 50+ as well. I had been looking for a light/thin hat to wear this year that covered my head as well as my face. I currently use an Ex Officio visor which while working well leaves the top of my head exposed.

The cap comes in 3 sizes to fit a pretty wide range of heads. The ‘L’ goes up to 23 1/4″ – something not every company does!

The neatest part is the tiny pocket in the inside of the cap, big enough for a key or a drivers license. It sports a baby soft zipper that is well hidden to keep everything safe.

~Sarah

Over the years I have used a number of items, from hand sewn bags to even large Ziploc® bags to haul my junk. A good 9 or so months ago I was at the local REI and coveting a small Reign Vermont bag for the 1,000th time when finally I decided: OK, just buy it! At $35 it was a bit breath taking. To see the style, head to REI’s site.

The bag is essentially a “passport” style purse. It has a simple strap that can be short or up to 60″ long, allowing one to wear it across your chest for safety. (It also fits under a jacket in busy cities as well!) The front flap has a buckle, with a small zippered pocket under, as well as a main cargo area that has a full zipper and a key tether inside. Everything stays inside, tidy as can be. It has a mesh pocket for a cell phone, though I don’t use it for that. Good for lip balm!

The average weight is 6 ounces, so a little bit heavy to some, yet the weight is worth it. The bag is well made, sturdy and durable. It is produced in Vermont as well. Reign’s website offers many choices of fabrics for the bags, as well as other sizes (they make smaller ones).

I used the bag on every trip last summer and into this year. I have found I am using it more often daily as well. Forces me to carry less stuff with me – not a bad thing!

~Sarah

So this afternoon, I was in Whole Foods scoping out new items and my eyes spied something new – a re-branded version of the Tea Cakes – the Luna Cookie, in three flavors. Though don’t look in the energy bar aisle. They are to be found in the vitamin/supplement section, near the “ladies section” of vitamins.

The three flavors:

Peanut Butter Chocolate. 150 calories, 6 grams fat, 3 grams fiber and 4 grams protein.

Chocolate Mint. 130 calories, 2.5 grams fat, 4 grams fiber, 3 grams protein.

Berry Pomegranate. 140 calories, 2.5 grams fat, 4 grams fiber and 3 grams protein.

The bars are two wedges inside, weighing in at 1.41 ounces per package. I payed $1.29 per bar.Expect a slightly sweet, easy to chew cookie like bar. They have a nice flavor, all three of them. I can say I like them even more than the Tea Cakes.

So far I cannot find any information on either Luna’s or Clif Bar’s websites. Especially considering the wrappers were stamped with a large “NEW!” on them

~Sarah

They had a couple colors and I liked the Espresso color the best. Nice smooth fabric, light (around 15 ounces) and it stretches just enough for good movement. Costco was carrying all the sizes from XS to XL.

For $70 it was a good buy – I needed a new soft shell and it fit great. Time will see if I like it of course!

~Sarah