9:30am lunch?

Greetings from the trail.  I am at a beary popular trail head in Oregon.  It's 8am and there are already cars in the parking lot.  It's Monday, I know the post is on a Thursday (humans.....).   Down to business I am hoping to see some wild rhododendrons and a good view of Mt. Hood.  

The rhododendron tree is looking green but no flowers.  I wonder if I am too late?

Ah, there we go.  This rhodie is blooming.  The wild ones are only pink.

I wanted to take a break and guess who showed up on the same rock as me?  Sequoia jumped right up and wanted to get in the picture. 

Back on the trail.  I have a choice.  I  can go to Tom, Dick and Harry mountain or to Mirror Lake.  Let's check out the lake first.

You can kind of see a reflection of Mt. Hood in the lake. The mosquitoes are out so I must keep moving.

See that hill out there?  It's Tom, Dick and Harry mountain and it's my final destination.

A few wildflowers are out today.  Indian Paintbrush and Bear Grass.

Mt. Jefferson looks good.  The air needs to clear up and Mt. Jeff needs more snow for a better picture.  

I am now near the top of Tom, Dick and Harry mountain.  Mt. Hood in the background looks nice and there's more Indian Paintbrush and Bear Grass.  This is not a great spot for lunch.  Perhaps a rock. 

This spot looks good.  Of course, it's 9:30am.  Is that too early for lunch?  Yes, but I am hungry so I am eating. 

Sequoia is not one to be shown up.  He decided to pose for this picture and I must admit he looks good.

A nice relaxing hike.....................

Hola Amigos,

No, I didn’t just get from a trip to Mexico (sigh)  just thought I would spice up my greeting.   On my hike today to Tom, Dick and Harry Mountain I did see something that I think all of us stuffies should visit.  I love Salmon and Huckleberries….clearly this is the place for me.

 We hiked up to the top of the mountain today.  The wildflowers are past their prime (by the way Jerry how is your garden holding up?).  I did see lots of these red berries but I was afraid to eat them just in case they gave me an upset stomach.  It’s no fun being sick.

We hustled up to the top of the mountain to see a beary nice view of Mt. Hood.  From this viewpoint you can usually see Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson, and Mt. St. Helens but there was too much smoke or smog in the air for any of that today.  It was a great lunch stop.  

 

There is a lake down below, it’s called Mirror Lake.  I hope I can see Mt. Hood’s reflection in it when I get there.

No luck, but that’s OK.  I think I might just sit here on the dock of the bay and relax.

Usually when we finish a hike it’s time to go home.  Interestingly today we had some extra time so we ventured off to see Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood.  I would highly recommend it, of course they didn’t serve Starbucks but nobody is perfect.

Being thirsty I decided to see what was happening in the bar.  The bar was closed (huh) but it was animal themed so that’s cool.  The Blue Ox Bar at Timberline Lodge looked beary interesting, I was hoping they would serve me a nice cold beer or at least a nice cool glass of iced tea.  I do like the mosiac in the back, seems like something Beanie might enjoy as well. 

I decided to explore the rest of the lodge.  They had this cool room with a wooden ping pong table and a shufflebear table.   

I saw this big group of people heading outside so I figured I should follow.  They were going to a big patio overlooking Mt. Hood.  Lucky for me they had this nice fence for me to pose on.  Hmm, maybe I will see if the bar is open now?….