I had noticed this trail a week or so ago when we hiked Rock Trail.  We decided to take Job this time since he missed out and we were going to hike into Lost Lake from Rock Trail but Cyrus Gate was closed and so was Lost Lake from that access. We could hike into Fragrance Lake but it seems like we do that every year only from the bottom. So turning the car around we drove back to Lower Ridge Trail. This trail is another connector trail.  It allows a hiker, runner, biker to go to Dan's Traverse which connects to Cleator Road below and Cleator Road via along the Chuckanut Ridge.  It cuts in in the middle which means for runners that want to do a loop they have the option of doing a shorter or longer loop this way.  It's a pretty trail with lush ferns all along the way.  It isn't steep which makes for a pleasant walk.  At one point towards the beginning of the trail there is an overlook of the San Juan Islands that is breath taking.  Once you hook on to the trail leading to Dan's Traverse there are other overlooks to the opposite direction, where you can see I5, Sehome High School and part of WWU.


We ate lunch on a ledge looking north and east. Eagles sailed the currents high above our heads as we enjoyed a little time in the sun. When you switch up the dynamics of kids, taking them out individually it changes the conversation and topics. We were able to ask Job all kinds of questions and get his views on school, finances, life.  This is such a new season in our life as we are getting these kids to sprout wings and fly on their own. They're favorite phrase is "I know" but they they don't really know.  They only think and most times reality will be a version of what they know but they won't really know.  To be honest, neither do we. We do know this kid who could do college just isn't cut out for it.  He needs something different and we want to help him explore his options: a trade school or a gap year or a mission year.  Whatever that is, we want him to know that what he decides now doesn't have to be forever.  He can go one direction now and then later decide to do something else.  A trade school is a great start for that.  We had told him about being an electrician and so now that's his plan but we really would like him to look at all the ways to be an electrician.  What path will give him the most options for work and a career. 
We asked him what his views were towards finances and savings. We encouraged him to set aside money and start saving now for his future.  The importance of not spending every dime but to prioritize.
We asked him about his relationships and his friends and all sorts of things.  It wasn't lecturing, it more of a time of discovery.  We listened and commented when there was place to comment.
The time of influence is coming to an end and we would love it if they come to us for advice but only on their terms.  We are negotiating new waters with adult and almost adult children and teenage children as well.

A few years ago I banned celebrating Mother's day at our house.  I was tired of having expectations and being disappointed.  Really, the expectations were my fault.  I would see on facebook all these wonderful posts and I would get angry.  Why because my kids didn't live up to my unrealistic expectations. The expectations of a day where everyone wants to be with me, give me gifts, say nice things, pick up after themselves and no fighting with each other. Seriously that is so unrealistic.  There will never be a pinterest  worthy mother's day celebration with brunch and flowers and a clean house here.  That isn't who we are so why would I expect that? But I would and so to release myself and my family for unrealistic expectations, I banned any sort of Mother's Day at our house and we have been much happier. There is no trolling for compliments, gifts or attitudes.  We are free to do our own thing and for Mother's Day, it is kids going different directions and doing regular life.  It's me taking time to read a book or play solitaire or eat croissants for three meals.  This year though I did want one thing.  I just wanted to take some family photos.  It took about 30 minutes at an empty lot across the street from Costco.  Once done we happily returned home and did our own thing again.  It was perfect and maybe just maybe we will start a trend to take family photos around the same time each year until we actually go our separate ways.  I am not sure how many more "family" photos we can take until they move out and/or move away.

Seventeen years of hiking in this county and you would have thought we would have hike all the trails this county has to offer but we haven't. We haven't even come close to hiking all of them.  We were gifted a book called "Hiking Whatcom County" and the pages are dog eared, water logged, warped, and written on.  Even then, we haven't even hiked 50 percent in that book. We have come to love our favorites and with hiking relegated to Saturdays only we touch a few hikes each year.  The spring and early summer months have us hiking the lowland trail and late summer and early fall we venture into the Mount Baker Wilderness. We thought we had heard of most of the the lowland trail especially in the Chuckanuts but were surprised by a hike we hadn't heard of: Rock Trail Hike.  Apparently it is quite new, being built in the last 4 years and connects to other trails in the area.  We just had to check it out. It started at the Cyrus Gate Overlook. We were rewarded with amazing views of the San Juan islands as the day was clear.  The trail wound down the mountain and we descended over 200 stairs that we had to make our way up on the return. About 20 minutes into the hike, my camera battery died and I was left with my cell phone. This is one thing I have not mastered, the art of the cell phone photo. I am also the slowest of our hiking family since I stop often to take photos, admire a flower, step around a boulder to see the view from the other side.  So imagine my surprise as I came around the bend and saw only two of my family staring at a rock wall with small "holes" in it.  As I came closer I realized that Lona was in one of the holes and very happy with herself.  We continued on looking for more little "caves" and finding some but not quite a neat. At the bottom there is the option to hook onto the Lost Lake Trail but we were on a little of a time schedule so turning around we went back.  Isaac took off and I didn't see him again until I arrived at the trail head. I think he had been there for about 20 minutes before I arrived.  Although I had to try the little cave myself.  I wish Lona would have filmed me getting out because I'm sure it was quite comical,  It was for me doing it.  I almost got stuck, short legs that don't have the flexibility of a 15 year old.

 One of the things I've always wanted to do was visit the buddhist temple in Richmond BC.  We've driven by it for years and I've known that they allow visitors but we've always had other plans. However, this was part of our plan while John's brother, Kevin was here. Most of the days were cloudy and not warm so we were hunting for indoor things to do.  This was outside with just a little inside stuff but the rain held off and we were able to wander the temple grounds.  I am not sure what I expected, maybe a group of monks walking from building to building or in prayer.  I don't know.  I guess I didn't expect that there would statues of the "buddhas". I didn't expect the buddas to have painted eyes and their expressions.I didn't expect statues of elephants with designs I associate with India. I didn't expect statues of deer with leopard spots and bushy tails. I didn't expect the grounds to eerily quiet or see offerings before the buddha statues.  I did expect the architecture of the curved roofs, the hanging lanterns, the bright red and gold colored buildings and chinese writings. I wish I understood more of what everything was about and the significance of the animals and statues. However I am not going to do any reading outside of visiting this area.

This sign says, do not ride the deer.  I didn't know it was a deer.

What is this animal and why is the other animal standing on it with claws out?