Walking in the Clouds.....

My parents invited us to take a hike up to Mary's Peak today so about 9:30 we headed out. It was as pretty quick drive until you get to the turnoff to go up the mountain. So we slowly twisted and turned our way up up up up the road. About 1/3 of the way up there was a waterfall runoff so we pulled over to let the kids stretch their legs and to take some pictures. They posed very nicely in front of the waterfall

then they were off climbing, throwing rocks, exploring what they could.

We hung out here for about 15 minutes or so then loaded back up and headed back up the winding twisting road. Just before we got the the top there was one more waterfall so Grandma Jo and I hopped out and took a couple shots.

Finally we reached the top! We got the can parked, Poppa got our day parking pass, got our coats on, and cameras ready to go. We took picture of the kids in the snow drifts that still dotted the hillside

then it was time to hike! We hiked up the first part, which got a little steep at times but the kids just plowed right on.

We reached the first plateau and took time to look around and see how far we could see.

We then continued across the field and started up the less steep, partially snow covered, gravel road all the way to the top...

right before we got to the top the kids discovered this "cave."

After some tears and cries from Ally about how her legs are "too short," we finally made it all the way to the top. You could see so much! Off in the far west the waves of the ocean were just visible,

green to the south and the east,

but unfortunately it was a bit too hazy to see any of the mountains. After hanging out at the top and snapping a picture with the 5 of us courtesy of the faux gorilla.podd

we made our way back down to have a late lunch. we had a leisurely lunch in the car then decided to head on home. We stopped one last time at the waterfall on the way out at the request of the kids. It was a beautiful relaxing fun day!