Schmuck, Half-Canucks and Maps - oh my!

So I was so happy and lucky that my long-lost favorite half-canuck couple (Becky & Scotty) came into town this past weekend. I was introduced to them by my beloved Schmuck years ago and my life has felt sweeter ever since.

Becky used to live in Washington between getting her Bachelors and Masters Degrees and that girl never went to Mt. Rainier once. Appalling! So during their visit we went on one of my favorite hikes - Spray Park.

My hiking posse: Schmuck and the Half-Canucks. This can be a popular hike since it's part of the Wonderland Trail. Spray Falls is only 2 or 3 miles away and sometimes I like to scramble up to the base of the falls but we decided to play it safe this time. Well....

The one thing that didn't play safe was the camera. Scotty should get an award of positioning this camera perfectly on a boulder that had a rushing water all around it. All four of us scrambled rocks to get this perfect shot. Thanks for not dying camera.

Aren't these falls beautiful? I never get tired of seeing them or feeling their sweet spray.



We all look perfectly positioned and dry in that picture but in reality this is what my foot was balancing itself on.

After some switch backs we finally arrived to Spray Park. Schmuck thought it was totally worth it...or at least she was threatening that it better be totally worth it on those switchbacks.

These dudes above were funny/creepy. That's them trying to figure out the glaciers on Mt. Rainier with Scotty. Men love maps. Later these guys showed us pictures they took of us that we weren't aware of. Awesome.

Taking it all in....Hello Gorgeous.

Can you spot all the differences in these two photos??

Avalanche Lilies! Thanks Jayme!

This big beautiful b*tch was out on our right side as we ascended Spray Park. Last time I did this hike on a sunny gorgeous day I forgot my camera. And let me tell ya, pictures just don't do this scene justice.

One of Scotty's pictures to show our hiking bliss. Another one of Scotty's tripod pics - he took so many good pictures - I'm expecting the 2010 calendar man!

Up never looked so good to me...

See what I mean?

Another one of Scotty's pictures. It's like Senior Yearbook goes hiking - I love it! Rah! Rah! for hiking!

On Scotty's map we found out this was called Mother Mountain. She's a big Mother.

Our pefect lunch spot. Scotty with his map, Mt. Rainier to our right (not seen) and none of us had any idea what time it was. It was stinking perfect.

Can anyone guess what Becky is doing here? Look at that mischievious smile!

Right here is one of my favorite parts of hiking is the descent - making plans for the post-hike burger and beer. Which took us a while to find but was well worth the wait! Thanks Sumner!

I can never resist dunking my head in water if not jumping in water after a good hike. Brr this was cold!

Somehow Scotty seems more GI Joe when he does the same thing. He went down and gave us 20!



I'll miss you....see you soon.

Thank you again for the great day Half-Canucks! Schmuck and I will hold down Washington while you guys go tear up Europe. Thanks for always keeping it Maple!!!




Scotty & Becky take on the snow...

Super Krista takes on the snow!

Go Scotty Go!

And last but not least....