We watched the sun rise as we hiked the steep trail to Lower Crystal Lake.
Mount Helen was bathed in dawn's glow.
We clapped occasionally to alert bears and other creatures to our presence.
On the high tundra at 11, 595', we saw a tent pitched above Lower Crystal Lake.
Our daughter-in-law and grandchildren were surprised to see us.
Our son was already fly fishing in the cold mountain lake.
Bundled in pj's, coats, mittens, and hats, our grandchildren searched for wildflowers along Crystal Creek. A few pink paintbrush still bloomed. Many grasses and plants were turning amber and sienna from lowering temperatures.
Tiny tundra flowers glowed in the morning sun.
There were signs of the overnight frost.
At ages 5 and 6, our grandchildren use the majestic alpine tundra as a playground.
They learn quickly from their outdoor experiences.
We share our love of Nature with them.
Wonderful hiking shots. Beautiful part of the world.
ReplyDeleteWow..gorgeous shots, Barb! It's wonderful to see little kids out and enjoy nature!
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos ~ looks like a wonderful time ~ ~ Carol (A Creative Harbor)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun camping trip. it is great to share nature with the young generation. Your photos and the scenery is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThose kids have the best grandparents ever to show them such a gorgeous natural world. Carol
ReplyDeleteYour area is definitely alien to me, and which i might not experience in this lifetime, so blogging really made experiences a bit personal to us too. Thank you so much, and your photos are so crisp and stunning!
ReplyDeleteThese are lucky children! They are learning to love and respect the natural world around them and stay healthy and fit at the same time.
ReplyDeleteBarb,
ReplyDeleteGlowing Mt. Helen is divine and awesome! How lucky your grandchildren are to use the majestic alpine tundra as a playground!! Many children in major cities do not know even how vegetables grow.
Have a wonderful week!
keiko
What a wonderful camping trip and such a gorgeous place! Your photos are terrific, Barb! It does look as though you and your family and the grandchildren had a great trip!! The best of times creating the best of memories! Have a great week and thanks for sharing the fun!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, the words, the flowers, the high country...
ReplyDeleteHi Barb!
ReplyDeleteI can almost feel the crispness of the air up there! Looking at your cool (literally cool) photos brings a bit of relief to our otherwise very warm and humid day!
Steamy would describe our weather today!
It is such a gift for your grandchildren to experience the deep appreciation that you and Bob have for nature - its beauty and majesty.
This appreciation will be a treasured gift.
Barb, thank you so much for your encouraging comments. Tomorrow there will be a special seminar on Evidence Based Evaluation Training... This is to prepare us on how to provide evidence for our plans with regard to the new state and national common core standards... Soooo much paperwork! I can appreciate the value of accountability... But we are very quickly losing time for wonderful lesson planning in general...
My theme of this new school year is to keep on praying and expect a fresh delivery of grace each day :-)
Enjoy these last few weeks of summertime... Our memories of these summer days bring much warmth throughout the winter months!
Blessings always,
Maria
Wonderful post, Barb, reflecting a happy family time. Love the photo of Lower Crystal Lake. Great editing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Barb, reflecting a happy family time that I am sure will make many memories. Love the photo of Lower Crystal Lake. Great editing...
ReplyDeleteWhat golden shots - and such a marvellous adventure!
ReplyDeleteBarb, these images are amazing. The views superb. And best of all with family.
ReplyDeleteHi Barb!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you and your grandchildren had a wonderful time in such majestic alpine tundra.Ⅰ imagine how clean and beautiful the water in the mountain lake is! Did he catch some fish?
My family would go fishing as we were living near the Pacific Ocean beach.
During this year's hot summer vacation, my husband and our sons went fishing. I was waiting for them to come back, cleaning their fish at home.
I will go to see my mother in Tokyo tomorrow.
Have a great week,Barb!
Tomoko
Stunning, Barb!
ReplyDeleteI love this... it's making me feel free... :))
Thanks for sharing it with us!
Greetings from Holland,
Anna :))
The scenery and skies look heavenly.What a joy to be able to experience those views and what a terrific legacy to pass on to your grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteIt’s so lucky for your grandchildren to have that majestic alpine tundra as a playground. Interaction with grandchildren in such a setting is the envy of me, Barb. The fourth image of your son’s fly fishing at the lake is evocative. Beautiful nature, beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteYoko
What a gorgeous setting for a camping trip! I imagine that it got a bit chilly at night, I like that!! And I like the photo of you and the grandchildren! Love Di ♥
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Great photos of such a wonderful experience. Thanks for inviting me.
ReplyDeleteSharing your love of nature with the grandkids is a great gift, something they will treasure always.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteCalling by from Our World Tuesday, your world looks stunning in this lovely series of photos.
ReplyDeleteBarb you always capture how magical the outdoors in the high country is. What a blessing to have your grand kids beside you so often.
ReplyDeleteLovely blog. Fall is almost in the air.
Such lucky grandchildren to spend so much time in nature. They will grow up to be good stewards of this planet.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are making the most of your summer Barb. Enjoy! :)
ReplyDeleteSO blessed to have that opportunity! I envy your stamina!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome way to grow up, and beautiful photos. I'm originally a city/suburbs boy but can't imagine moving back to a big city again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun family surprise! And what an amazingly beautiful playground your grandkids have -- and what wonderful a wonderful family! The portrait of you two with the littles is priceless!!
ReplyDeletelovely! nice seeing the frost & jackets- i feel cooler already :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots, your grandchildren will always remember this jaunt.
ReplyDeleteHow gorgeous! What a great education for your little grandkids! They will always remember these trips...
ReplyDeleteNice photos, Barb. It looks like it's already getting cold in that area. As always, however, stunningly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAmazing landscape. Beautiful place to do hiking.
ReplyDeleteIt is never to early to introduce children to wilderness and what a beautiful spot your son and DIL chose to camp!
ReplyDeleteWow! I have to commend on the nice camp site. The place is definitely perfect. Although I prefer a lot of trees, the lake is just mesmerizing. Awesome clicks!
ReplyDeleteAlice @ MyCamperTrailer
I love to visit your blog Barb because I always feel a new and deepr connection with the natural world - your photos as always are stunning!
ReplyDeleteYour grandchildren are lucky to have such excellent teachers, Barb. What a beautiful place to explore.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful, looks like a beautiful place to play and explore! :)
ReplyDeleteClapping? Bears? No big deal. lol
ReplyDeleteDitto to what everyone else has said. What a great experience for you all!
How many precious children get to consider the majestic alpine tundra as their playground? What lucky grandchildren you have! And they are luckier still to have grandparents like you.
ReplyDeleteI love the alpine tundra! What a great campsite!
ReplyDeleteGosh Barb, it looks as though your family have the whole place to yourselves! Awesome that your grandkids grow up camping... fosters love & respect for the wild places.
ReplyDeleteYour world is indeed a beautiful one. What a great experience for your grandchildren!
ReplyDeleteI love the last picture with 4 of you, you are so right to teach them and show them the beautiful mother nature, lucky them:-) I remember having tons of funwith my grandparents in the mountains every summer in myschool breaks too...we were collecting wild blueberries, herbs and forest strawberries:-))
ReplyDeleteGreat family shot...I am glad clapping works! :-)
ReplyDelete