Prepared for rain, but I wore my coat only the first five minutes!
New friends, Larae and her daughter, Judy, rode with us to Indian Crossing Trailhead. Larae charmed and inspired us with her stories of volunteering, as a nurse, to assist surgeons in Haiti. She went to Haiti three times and told of awakening one morning to a noise she could not identify. When she got up she realized the noise she heard came from hundreds of Haitians whispering and waiting to see the U.S. team of doctors and nurses. Unfortunately Larae slipped on rock after lunch and had to head back to the trailhead. We found out later she was fine, just suffering a bruise on her hip. She, at 79, inspired all of us with her physical fitness.
I loved all the gorgeous rock formations as much as the river running through them.
My beautiful sister enjoying her perch on the lovely rocks!
Don saw evidence of the 1994 Twin Lakes forest fire. We learned it was a hot fire that devastated acres of forest lands, but new trees, shrubs, and wildflowers now punctuate the landscape.
Karen and I posed for this picture after our lunch break.
We stopped for a quick picture of this huge log jam. Our leaders reminded us that we'd have to turn around and head back down the trail by 3:00 PM and had not even reached the falls yet. Everyone picked up the pace and we were so intent on reaching the falls by three that we hiked right past the little trail that led to the viewpoint. We could've easily missed the falls because of the low water this time of the year. Then it was on to serious, quick hiking back to the trailhead while we had some daylight! Carol and I came in last and honestly didn't think we'd make the last mile! We were so tired and agreed that 12 miles in one day was too much for most of us. We barely made it back to Joseph by 8 PM, when most of the local restaurants close for the night.
A nice waiter at Mutiny Brewing invited us in and brought us the best wine, beer, and food! I was too tired to even take a picture of our group, but their were 10 of us seated together at these long tables.
An added bonus to this hiking trip was our stay at the Historic Enterprise House, a lovely B&B. Jack and Judy, the owners welcomed us as if we were family on Friday evening. We enjoyed a short visit with them, a glass of wine on the porch, and a quick visit with other guests from Australia. Then we took a quick walk, past a high school football game, to a lovely place for dinner, another micro-brewery, Terminal Gravity. We thought it might be too cold to sit outside, on a picnic bench by the creek, but after a cup of hot water with lemon we were fine!
This lovely setting was our breakfast before the big hike!
We felt so pampered by the innkeepers - first course a fruit compote
Second course, baked french toast stuffed with cream cheese and fresh berries and bacon slices
The breakfast room!
Sweet touches in our bedroom!
The owners, Judy and Jack Burgoyne, sold their Christmas tree farm near Astoria, Oregon, and bought this historic home, restoring it with love and care over ten years ago.
Above the fireplace hangs a local artist's "clip art" of the Enterprise House depicting a Christmas scene reminiscent of their Christmas tree business.
We said good-bye to Jack and Judy on Sunday morning and headed back to Lewiston, up and down the famous Rattlesnake Grade.
We stopped for a quick picture of the hills surrounding the Snake River and Hells Canyon. Karen insisted that our sore muscles from the 12 mile hike did not get stiff by stopping for a quick hike in Field Springs State Park.
Thank you sweet sister for another great adventure!
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