Summer hike #1 - Golden Lake in Harriman (and my first attempt at collages)

Rain or not, I was determined to do something with the kids this week. I have been so busy helping my sister paint her "new" house that I haven't been able to spend time with them at all. So, on Thursday we went hiking with the cousins. Thanks for letting us tag along, Sus! It was raining when we left. However, when we got to Harriman it had stopped and the conditions were perfect. The hike was about four miles and we had a blast. I don't think we heard a single complaint along the way.


The first of the hike was along the road used for service vehicles in the park. We had to walk through the horse pasture. The horses must have thought that we had come to "round them up" because they walked right up to us. My kids were nervous at first - being city folk and all. But, they quickly warmed up to them. They pet them and let the horses nibble grass right out of their hands. That was Katy's favorite part of the hike. After that it was just a regular old hike out to the lake.


Once we reached the lake it was time for lunch. What can be better than lunch, lakeside, with the cousins?






The returning part of the hike was through the forest on a little trail. Everything is so green because of the rain. All around us the clouds were gathering so we moved fast. Across the lake we could see the rains moving down the mountain. On the lake we saw a huge flock (what do you call it?) of pelicans getting ready to weather the storm. But toward the end of the hike, right beside us, a moose pulled up out of the grass. He stared at us and we stared at him until we all felt safe to move on. That was another highlight.


Since we had already paid for parking in State parks for the day, we ventured over to Mesa Falls. WOW!!! So much water. So much green. Sure glad we went. And still, no rain! Sure glad we took that little side trip.

The hike was a success. Katy and Adri liked it so much that they went hiking the next day. Glad they enjoy it because we plan to go somewhere new in two weeks. If you want to come along just let me know. We'd love to have you.