For the time being, the rains have stopped and the temperatures have warmed to the mid 60s which can only mean one thing… actually it can mean lots of things, but for the interest of this post it can only mean one thing… HIKING!!!

When most people think of hiking, they think of a nice trail, winding through the vast forests and mountains of Yosemite, completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the ‘30s and ‘40s. If you have that picture in your mind, take an eraser to it, or if it is digital, press delete. Hiking at the Hectors is considerably different.

First we start with the donning of camo just in case WWIII gets underway before we have the chance to get back. The next step is to simply walk out of our back door into God’s wonderful creation. The only trails are ones made by deer, or sometimes even rabbits, which means “low bridge” through the brush.

I always say what I am about to say next. In my opinion, pictures can describe something so much more than words can, so I will throw some up here for you to enjoy (I need to get a picture that can describe what I just said).

Our goal was what we call the “Indian Head”. It is basically an outcropping in the rock that looks like the silhouette of an Indian Chief, and it also happens to have the greatest view within walking distance of our house. Good ol’ Antwon enjoying the majestic scenery…

There is one portion on the hike to the Indian Head that requires a little upper body strength. But even the smallest kids can make it up as evidence by this shot of Bex…

Another favorite anomaly on the trail-less outing is an approximate eight-foot hole that goes straight down through the rock into a little sheltered portion of the cliff. This past hike was the first time that we had ever made the attempt to climb up through this hole. This is looking straight down…

While Nic was climbing up, he got a little snow dropped from above by someone who wanted revenge…

You cannot see me. I am just a piece of moss sticking to this black and orange rope. Uh Bob… They’ve got arms!...

Poor Ben had to play the part of the anchor…

We all made it back safe and sound, most of us that is. Anthony decided to bring a little poison oak back with him…

No… one of the side effects of poison oak is not that you turn into a sheep, but you do turn into a certain reptilian creature. That is another story though. That was actually a pic of our 4 day old lamb that was born… um… 4 days ago. Isn’t he cute?! No you say? Don’t worry, I agree with you. This needs to get to Mrs. K somehow… I would rather spend time with an ug… I mean extremely cute baby.

There, I said it. I digress. Goodnight.