The Never Again Mt. Spokane Trail Run

This will be fun, I said.  It can take the place of the Wild Moose Chase we used to do in October.  Great idea my friends said. They moved the Wild Moose Chase from the Mt. Spokane cross country ski area to Riverside State Park.  Boo! We loved doing the Wild Moose Chase on the cross country trails.  This should be a good substitute.We were all smiles when we got there.  It took me back to when I used to ski on Mt. Spokane and my kids learning to ski there.  Good times.  

Bigfoot was even there! Well, this is the Pacific Northwest you know. 

Still smiling!

Mt Spokane ski area is a beautiful location.  We were doing the 5K.  3.1 miles no problem no matter what the course.  I was sure it would weave back and forth as we climbed the mountain. 

No White Flags, Never Give up! 

Oh my, we have to go up that long hill?  Yes, we did and it kept going and going.  I was thinking it would be similar to the Wild Moose Chase.  Nope, it went straight up for 1.5 miles.  As I climbed this hill I knew this was going to be more than tough but I still had hope for some flat spots.  No weaving up the mountain and no flat spots. Just up and up!

Climbing and climbing. 

Great view.  Not sure what lake that is.  

And we are still climbing.  Doesn't look like much of an incline but it was.  This was about the time we said never again.  

The lodge is way down there. 

Fall colors!  

People are starting to come down.  There is hope.  Thank you Jesus! We heard, "you are almost there!" several times.  Almost there when you have reached the turn around and are heading back down feels different than when you are still climbing. 

Peggy passed us as she was coming down and we were still going up.  I remember some words she spoke to me. Something like, you said this would be fun and never again!  Sheila and I were on board with that.  We almost didn't make it to the turn around but I needed water.  I didn't bring any because it was only three miles.  HA! 

The turn around spot.  I drank a whole bottle of gatorade (which I never drink).  We had a couple of snacks too.  We took our time at this spot.  It will be easier going down for sure. 

It was easier going down if you don't count your toes jamming into the front of your shoes and your legs being shot from going uphill.  Loose rocks weren't fun at all on the downhill.  

See the lodge way down there! 

Taking pictures kept my mind off of what a bad idea this was.  

I kept thinking at least we could say we did it even though it was really hard! It will feel like we really accomplished something as we crossed the finish line.  I was talking myself into that.  

We made it! Now the fun part.  Food and fellowship!  A free lunch came with our entry.  I decided I could eat whatever I wanted to after finishing this event. A big cookie, chips, bratwurst etc.  

There was a small festival going on at the ski lodge at the same time we finished our grueling course.  

We are now smiling again and we were all talking about how hard this event was.  We were glad to be finished and we were enjoying our post event time together.  Good friends are the best.  

We even had music!

We topped the day off with ice cream.  The event was hard and we all said never again but we finished.  Bonnie, Sheila and Peggy might research my next event suggestion before they commit to it.  The time spent together was the best as it always is!  Oh, and the ice cream was delicious! 

 

Beaver Resort, lodge and campground

 These are my cell phone pictures from our trip. I don't take my camera on the water. 

This was our first kayak trip.  Mike had Sammie and I had Murphy.  Murphy is a pain in the kayak.  Always moving around and trying to get out.  Not relaxing at all.  We headed to Sherry Lake which is a short distance and is connected to Lake Gillette. It was a beautiful evening. 

 

Look at Sammie.  She is loving this kayak thing!  She just sits and looks around like a princess! 

Beautiful!

I am holding on to Murhpy's life jacket to get him to sit.  I also tried squeezing him between my legs.  So much fun and so relaxing.  

Headed to Sherry Lake. 

There it is!  All of these are small lakes.  Sherry Lake is the smallest. 

What a view!  

Back at the trailer and the dogs have taken their places, just like at home. 

Crazy dogs!

Since I spent so much quality time with the dogs Mike handled the dogs and I headed out on the kayak.  Peaceful!!! Tons of lily pads sprinkled the way to Lake Thomas. Again, it wasn't a long trip.  

It was great to have quality time in the kayak with no dogs.  Quality time with God just thanking Him for what he created for us to enjoy! 

Dinner time and it is just like at home.  Two dogs begging for food from Mike. 

Happy campers!

And here he goes.  See that smile! He is happy. 

Prep time!  

Still smiling. 

Success right away!  Not a big fish but still fun to catch.  Mike said the fish swallowed the whole hook so he couldn't' throw it back in the water.  

Just hanging out while Mike fishes.  

We drove to Colville the next day because somehow one of Mike's paddles disappeared.  We don't know how and we are pretty sure no one took it.  Who would want 1/2 of what was needed to paddle.  We had the other half.  If Mike was going to kayak he needed both of them. Off to Colville to buy some new paddles. We saw a sign that said Crystal Falls on the way to Colville.  We got the paddles and stopped at Crystal Falls on the way back.  Beautiful!

This was a narrow canyon.  

Our last kayak trip from Gillette Lake to Lake Thomas!  This time Mike took Murphy.  He got to experience the joy of kayaking with Murphy! 

It started to rain a bit.  You can see the raindrops on the water. 

Four times Murphy jumped out of the kayak!  He wants to be with Sammie I think.  It would be interesting to see if he tried all this stuff if there was only one kayak.  My guess is yes!  We know he is a good swimmer that's for sure.  

We are headed back to Lake Gillette! I love reflection pictures.  

This is what a wet dog looks like.  

These are the cell phone pictures I took of the sunset!  Beautiful! 

We have made reservations for the same time next year.  We will probably bring bikes, the corn hole game and the 4 wheeler.  I wish I liked to fish so Mike and I could do that together but I really don't like it at all.  Perhaps Mike can fish and I can kayak.  Where the dogs will be is to be determined.  And another Gleason adventure is in the books.