Trying to find the Mount Catherine hike....August 6, 2010

On the way to our condo for the weekend, we decided to sneak in a quick hike. It was supposed to be a quick, straight up 3 mile hike. Well, with Brandon as navigator, we missed the hike and ended up finding an 'unnamed path' off of old logging roads to the east of Snoqualmie mountain. So...here are some pictures of that adventure.

Mount Catherine...we just didn't hike to the top as we had initally planned

Our new hike...to hike down to 2 small lakes...never made it

The view of the Snoqualmie valley...Mount Catherine south of us

Mount Catherine behind us ~ Cascade mountain range

Our dinner ~ dance ~ auction to fundraise for

Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure!

July 30th, we held a dinner ~ dance ~ aucition to raise money for Susan G. Komen. We have done the 3 day 60 mile walk 3 years in a row. The money raise has always benefited Susan G. Komen and the National Philantrophic Trust to find a cure for breast cancer. This year the 3Day is now officially part of the Susan G. Komen foundation!! It will be our 4th year walking 60 miles! It is such a great feeling to be part of something so neat. Without a cure, one person will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the United States. It is such a devastating disease that has affected almost every per I know.

This year's event was very successful! So many generous people. It was titled "Ladies' Night Out" and a group of men volunteered to be the hosts. We were served a prime rib dinner. There was a dessert dash, drinks and dancing. The auction came together nicely with some very bid-worthy items. After dinner, everyone came together to dance to a live band.

I took many pictures but did not realize my little camera was on the wrong setting...so many of the pictures did not turn out very well...I will post a few anyway for the memories.

All in all...we raised almost enough for every team member to walk...we needed to raise $11,500 ($2300 per walker) and we raised about $10,000. Thank you to everyone who showed support!!!

Denny Creek to Melakwa Lake

9 miles, elevation gain 2300 ft, highest point 4600 ft

We didn't know what to expect when we did this hike July 27th. It did not disappoint!! With water slides, waterfalls and lakes, it's a hiker's delight! This hike is my favorite thus far...due in part to my first time experiencing an alpine lake. I think when I saw Melakwa Lake my heart melted...I love alpine lakes. This one has the reflection of craggy peaks, Chair and Kaleetan Peaks, surrounding the lake. AMAZING!!! And the cerulean water was fabulous. I think this fueled my fire to see as many alpine lakes as possible...thus the goal of the 18 mile Enchantments day hike!

This hike requires passing underneath I-90 W

Keekwulee Falls

Where I dunked my head and splashed my face!!!

Reaching Hemlock Pass and descending slightly to Melakwa Lake!

The first view of the lake

Yeah!! We're here!

Just love the color of the water!

Just after quick plunge into the lake and our picnic lunch!

Bryant Peak leaking toward a second smaller lake behind Melakwa

The second lake

End of July activities!

Upon returning home from camp, I had the weekend off from work! That is always a pleasant thing! That night we regaled our parents with stories from camp and ended the night with a bonfire. This weekend was my mom's birthday, my friend's daughter's 1st birthday and the weekend of the NICU pool party.

Saturday morning we climbed Cedar Butte, a mountain in the Snoqualmie Pass corridor by Rattlesnake Lake. It's a quick 3 mile hike but with a good fast heart pumping in the first 1/2 mile and last 1/2 mile, espically hiking with my 2 ~ 6 foot 8 in cousins training for some type of race!
The view of North Bend valley, partially obstructed by tall tree growth!

The family!
Tom, Christine's boyfriend, having to scare us a little by climbing over to a tree overlooking the steep hill down. So...my dad had to do it too.



Olivia's 1st birthday!
After the hike, we celebrated, my friend's daughter's birthday.

I guess Brandon couldn't see!
Big brother James!
Happy Birthday to Michael as well! Turning 15!
After the 1st birthday party, we headed down to my NICU friends pool party. It's always a great time when the NICU girls get together! I didn't use my camera that night...I was way too late to be taking party pictures! ha ha

Sunday morning my family headed downtown Seattle to enjoy a day with my mom. It was a very nice, warm Seattle day but with just the right amount of sea breeze! Happy Birthday mom!
On the waterfront we saw the company that picked up Brandon and I after our wedding and took us on a carriage ride!
We intended to dine at the Salmon Cooker, a family favorite for 2 decades. But we passed it up for Ivar's on the waterfront with an amazingly long list of happy hour food and drinks!



Huge seagulls...their diet consists on left over fries!