Miracles all around! We got an early start and were the 2nd car at the Dalles Mtn Ranch TH parking lot (it was full when we got back). Happy to be here and not at her desk...
We walked up the road through fields of balsam root - at little off their peak - but still impressive in their sheer numbers.
We went on up to the 1st microwave repeater station, through lots of meadow larks and a hummingbird,
to where we had a view over into Swale Canyon (Klickitas rail to trail),
and of Jefferson, Ollalie, and Hood.
Then it was back down to the TH (we were passed by a tour bus on its way to Stacker Butte),
and farewell to the flowers of the Columbia Hills.
We had lunch in the car as we drove over to the Weldon Wagon Trail, a new destination for both of us.
It is definitely Spring in the Gorge and every plant along the trail was sprouting something (even the considerable fields of poison oak had bright, shiny new leaves).
We went off trail through some well-flowered meadows in hopes of getting a view of Mt Adams, but no luck.
Going up on the ridge above the trail did give us a nice panoramic view of the trail's upper half.
Eventually we came to an informative sign (Why here? Do you have to earn your signage with an uphill hike? Pretty vandal proof though.),
and a view of Hood. The fields of balsam root started about this point too.
Since this was a day in the sunshine and not a heroic hike to heck, we decided to turn around at the sign and head back. It was also - and I'm embarrassed to say this after having hiked all winter - getting kind of HOT in the sun. So down we went,
generally marveling at the concepts of sunshine and blue skies.
All in all, a great day outside the cubicle or not in seat 75F on a transcontinental flight.
On the way back, we went by the Dog Mtn TH parking lot, which was full - so we weren't the only corporate asylum seekers out in the woods today!
