Today Karen and I hiked a big loop in the Cascade Mountain foothills, WA. We hiked 7.8 miles total with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain.

"Want to eat lunch at the overlook with great mountain views?" Karen asked. "It's just ten minutes ahead."

"Mountain views and lunch are my magic words," I replied happily.

Descending, we spotted a Mule Deer resting in a shady meadow below the trail. The Mule Deer raised its head with big ears to watch us walk by. A chipmunk chattered loudly to warn other chipmunks of our presence. It was likely alarmed by Karen's dog.

"Why do snake tracks always go across the trail instead of down the trail?" Karen asked. Good question. Today it was garter snakes, not rattlesnakes. Pacific rattlers are non-aggressive. Just don't step on them. Speaking of wildlife....

"There's a spider in my panties!" I said while peeing beneath a tree. Glad I wore white panties and looked down. The spider was black. Usually I wear black panties. Apparently the spider dropped down from the tree.

"Leave it to you to get a spider in your underpants!" Karen said. "I squished it," I replied and laughed. (Note to self: wear white panties on hikes.) Never a dull moment.

As we neared the trail head, a cloud of insects followed Karen to the car, she said.
"What insects?" I asked. "No insects went near me." My hat, clothes, socks and short gaiters had been sprayed with Permethrin insect spray. Even sprayed the hat under-brim.

Non-toxic and odorless, Permethrin insect spray lasts for six machine washings or 42 days. It kills and repels mosquitoes, ticks and 36 other biting insects.

Photos:

1. Enchantment Mountains. Clouds look like torn paper in the wind.

2. Aspen trees with pale new leaves. Webster's definition of Aspen is "a tree with fluttering leaves." Aspens spread by underground roots. I love the soft rattling of millions of Aspen leaves in the wind. Close your eyes and listen. Bliss.

3. Wenatchee Mountains.

4. Spring Beauty flowers.

5. Red Paintbrush flowers.