Westport with Tyler and his folks

Wildside Trail

The Evergreen Hiking Club today was composed of Mary, Mike, and Gail. Beginning at Redtown trailhead we hiked along Wildside Trail circling around Steam Hoist Trail with a view of an old mine shaft. The day was cloudy and comfortable with the sun starting to peak through the trees on our way back. The hike took about 1 1/2 hours and we covered approximately 2.9 miles It was a very nice morning hike!

Hike around Wildside Trail

Today our hiking group was composed of Mike, Sue, and myself (Mary). It was Sunday morning with a very hot afternoon and extremely hot week coming up. We walked along several very nice trails on Cougar Mt. beginning at the Redtown Trailhead. Originally, we planned to hike the Coal Creek Trail on the other side of the road but found it closed for renovation. It was a very nice hike that took about 1 1/2 hours.

Hike to Doughty Falls

Here is a glimpse of our fascinating hike to Doughty Falls. The Erwin Evergreen Hiking group made this trek. Hike members Mike, Jimmy, Vickie, and Mary participated. It was a great day! For more details see http://jim-vickie.blogspot.com/2009/07/sky-country-to-doughty-falls.html

Tyler's 2nd Birthday at Newcastle Beach Park

This afternoon Tyler had another birthday party, this time at Newcastle Beach Park in Bellevue. Mary and Mike arrived early to claim two picnic tables and set up the birthday trimmings. Ruthie and Jack arrived next followed by Jeannie. The wind was blowing strongly although it was a fairly warm day. Then Scott appeared with the Birthday boy on his arm! Jim and Vickie soon arrived, then Diane coming from work. Gail soon showed up and finally Sandi and Dick to make a very nice group of guests. The meal was delicious with everyone providing a special dish. Tyler had a great time chasing balls hit by Jimmy, enjoying the play area, throwing stones in the water, and eating birthday cake, among other activities. We all had a great time!

Tyler's 2nd Birthday

Sunday, June 7, Tyler and his friend Jackson celebrated their birthdays. Jackson was two May 22, and Tyler will be two June 16. The party was held at Toddler Gym in Issaquah. There were many friends present along with their parents who helped them navigate the exciting gym features and play the group games organized by the gym personnel. After the fun activity, the group moved into another room full of balloons and Elmo table settings and were served a delicious meal of fresh fruit and cupcakes. Everyone, including the parents and friends had a great time!

Today Mary, Gail, and Mike started out on their hike from the Sky Country Trail head on Cougar Mt. Gail bravely decided to go even though the rain was pouring down by her house as she got ready to leave. The hike was great. Only at times we could feel a light drizzle as we walked along the lushly green forested paths which connected two trail heads. The bright green foliage cascaded from trees and bordered our path while only a light mist occurred at times. We all loved the hike which took almost exactly 2 hours.

Mary's birthday lunch and walk with Vickie

Today Vickie honored Mary with lunch at the Monsoon Restaurant in Old Bellevue. It was a beautiful day for a walk before and after lunch so we started out down the sidewalk from Main Street to the steps going down to Meydenbauer Park. The large trees and saved wooded area looked both old and new to Mary who had not visited the park since her girlhood days. After visiting some local shops and then lunch we walked around Bellevue Park just next to Bellevue Square. We had great conversation and it was much fun. Thank you Vickie!

Mother's Day 2009

This beautiful weekend we celebrated Mother's Day with Diane, Scott, and Tyler at their vacation house in Westport. We had fun at the beach with Tyler who loved running from the waves, digging in the sand, and walking across logs. Diane prepared a delicious seafood stew from fresh shell fish and Cod from Brady's. Sunday morning we found a little spot for breakfast where this picture was taken by a gentleman recognizing Mike. The Oakes want Jimmy and Vickie to make use of their lovely beach house when they have time between their exotic trips. It was a great weekend!

Coal Creek Trail Hike

Today, Sunday, Mike and I went on another hike. We first drove to the Coal Creek trailhead and found no parking spots available. We then decided to access the trail from up above across from the Redtown Trailhead. It was a beautiful hike on a sunny and cheerful day. We hiked for about 30 minutes, turned around and somehow missed our return path. We ended up on Lake Mt. Blvd and decided to walk the road back to the trailhead and our car parked at Redtown. Next time we hope to bring Jim and his directional device with us. Regardless, we loved the hike and want to return for a full hike down to the other trailhead next time.

Hike on Squak Mt.

Today the Evergreen hiking club outing consisted of two people, Mike and Mary. However, we had a very nice hike on Squak Mountain via a new trailhead on the east side of the mt. We did not go as far as the Bullitt Fireplace but envision this hike as one coming up soon. It was slightly rainy on our trip back down the hill but the moss covered trees and budding greenery made it all a refreshing and invigorating hike.

Weowna park hike

For our hike Sunday we again visited Weowna Park in Bellevue and hiked the northern path. Diane, Scott,and Tyler picked Mike and me up and we met Gail at the Lake Hills Park both cars arriving within 1 minute. Tyler could not resist the play area and happily went down the slide a couple times before the hike. The day was cloudy but mild. It was again a beautiful hike considering the close-in residential area but filled with old trees and lush foliage. It was a very nice hike!

Kelsey Creek Farm and Bellevue Botanical Gardens

The last several hikes have been covered in Jim and Vickie's blog - address to the right above. As they are presently vacationing in Bath, England, they were not here for Sunday's fun hike so this blog will cover the present hike .
Gail, Diane, Tyler, Mike, and I started out from Kelsey Creek Farm. Tyler rode up high in the backpack carried by Mike. The look of joy on Tyler’s face as he was placed in the pack hardly subsided during the walk which he loved. We proceeded up the sidewalk and into the woods surrounding the Bellevue Botanical Gardens. The flowers and shrubbery were just beginning to bloom which made a lovely sight on this fine spring day.
On our return to the Farm Gail had to leave but the rest of us continued over to the field and barnyard area where sheep, goats, horses, pigs, and cows roamed freely and in their pens. Lily was unceremoniously barred from the area so Mary and Lily rested in the lower picnic area as the others roamed the farm. Everyone had a good time.
All the way home Tyler spoke of the animals and would say very clearly moooooo. It was a great day!

Diane, Tyler, Scott and Lily visit the Lowry's

Feb. 2009

Keith visits January 2009

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2008

Tyler on Christmas 2008