Despite having a kidney infection, today Karen and I steeply hiked in the Cascade foothills above Leavenworth, WA. We hiked 5.5 miles total with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain and loss. "We took the steepest trail," Karen said. No kidding.

Yellow Balsamroot plants were sacred to the Wenatchii Indians. They boiled and ate the tuberous roots. I have never seen blooming Balsamroot so magnificent and prolific! The bright yellow flowers covered every hillside and cliff.

I can't believe how tired I feel afterward. This kidney infection takes the wind out of my sails.

1. We paused at this overlook and climbed higher.

2. Mountains surrounding Leavenworth rise between 5,000 and 8,000 feet elevation.

3. Twin flowers live up to their name.

4. Blue Camas flowers are famous for only growing at Camas Meadows in North Central Washington. Apparently birds ate Blue Camas flower seeds in Camas Meadows and deposited them at Ski Hill in Leavenworth. Twenty aerial miles away. The light blue flowers look bleached in the sun.

5. Magnificent yellow Balsamroot covered every hill and cliff.