Hiking Alder Flats…

I totally spaced on these photos, but really want to share them before I flood the blog with photos from our time in Seattle…

The Sunday before the boys and I headed up north, we drove up the Clackamas River to Alder Flats.  The drive was semi-long and very scenic and ironically the same drive Matt’s been doing almost everyday for work. While some people spend hours battling traffic in the city, Matt sails up into the hills, and sees views that put us in awe. But naturally, for anyone, an hour and 15 minute commute to work gets old, no matter how pleasing to the eye. 

Anyway, this hike was wonderful – the mile-long trail was well taken care of and the old-growth trees were HUGE.  We knew that outside of this hiking area it was about 90degrees, but within the forest we kept cool.  

There were several little bridges that passed over trickling streams that we had to stop and examine…

And the destination was as great as the journey… we came up on the river and found a few occupied camping sites, but this little sandy beach next to the water was secluded and vacant.  Perfect. 

It was in the shade, which was great for the most part, but didn’t make swimming all that refreshing.  However, that didn’t stop these munchkins from going in anyway. 

In and out of the water and making stuff with sand and rocks was how they passed the time…

…while Kaden watched, until he could stand it no more…

… and then found himself playing in the sand, too.  We had to keep the pacie in so that the sand, sticks, and rocks stayed out.

It was a quiet, rejuvenating spot to spend the afternoon…

… and we reluctantly had to call it a day when Kaden decided he’d had enough.  The hike back to the car was a bit less enjoyable that the one coming in, but eventually, we made it.

    … and like many other things, we promised ourselves that “when the kids are a little bit older” we’ll come back to this spot and really be able to enjoy ourselves – with camping, fishing, the whole nine-yards (because by then, we won’t be worried about Cooper floating away down the river and Kaden eating sand). 

I look forward to returning…