A little hike, a little climb

My Subaru had a recall on it that needed attending to.

We had an appointment for this morning.

Turns out, over the past week, Sean has worked on the brakes.

Brake pads replaced.

Rotors replaced.

There is still a bad sound coming from the tires.

It's the wheel bearings.

When we dropped the Outback off, Sean asked them to take a look at the bearings.

Sean and I continued on down to Girdwood.

Our objective?

A *secret* trail called Chutes and Ladder.

I also wanted to hit Virgin Creek Falls.


We made pretty quick work to this spot.


The way to Chutes and Ladder is around here.




















Sean went down first and I was just standing there staring at this spot for quite some time.

Taking all sorts of photos.

I was hesitant.

I have a broken clavicle.

I'm not sure I won't die going down, but I'm really not sure I'll be able to get back up.

I ask Sean to go explore further down the way and tell me if it is worth the risk.

We both decide I shouldn't do it.






The view of the canyon from up top.

It's really beautiful and at some point, I'd love to do it, but today is not the day.

We went a different way.


There are abandoned mining pieces all over.


I have no idea what this thing is or if it even is part of the mining equipment.


I was in fiddlehead heaven!

Sean collected some to take home with us.

Sean got a bit ahead of me and I was not exactly sure where he went, but I happened upon this.


This seems like a great idea, right?

I made it down OK.


To a very powerful creek. Crow creek.




















Not sure what this is, but it was heavy.


Devil's club.

It really was everywhere out there.

This hike will be a beast once the devil's club gets growing.


False Morel.


False morel.


I love these things!


Rocks?




Blueberries at the trailhead!!

We get back to the Jeep and Sean's phone rings.

It's Subaru.

They cannot find the lug key to remove the wheels (tires?).

Sean tells them we will be a while, but we need to go home and get it and then get it to the dealership.

All the way home Sean keeps saying he doesn't remember removing the key from the tire when he tested the repairs he did.

We think that the lug key is either in the garage, or has flung off the Outback somewhere in our neighborhood.

We get the girls to start looking in the garage and as soon as we get home, Sean and I start hunting.

Sean looking from the Jeep in our neighborhood and I'm on foot.

I walk a good mile from the house and turn around empty handed and pretty much thinking that this thing is gone forever.

Sean tells the dealership we cannot find the key and to just break the locks.

I was crossing the intersection Sean thought the lug key might be at and lo and behold!!!!


I found it!!!!!

Sean calls the dealership and lets them know we found it.

We drove it back.

Virgin Falls will have to happen another day!

The Jordan's.