I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach... and the woods said 'if you really want a learn, stop bringing so many kids along, 'cuz they are just too darn loud.'  So much for my transcendental moment.

This post is not necessarily concurrent.  It is more of a catch up for July, so I don't just skip to the fall.  We took a nice little day hike (san-Locke who was camping with a friend) to the White Mountain.

We found a couple of mountain sirens in the woods.  Well, actually I brought them with me, but they complimented natures beauty quite well.

I am totally positive that I told a funny joke, why else would Adrienne be laughing with such a barbaric yalp?  The hike ended in a waterfall where we hung out and posed for some photos.  The girls are none too camera shy.

Ro Ro kept trying to get someone to carry him.  He even tried his luck at begging Char Char.  In the end, he walked 2 or the 3 miles (though much of the walking occurred as I ran in front of Ronin and promised to carry him when he got to me - just like a lawyer). 

Adrienne watching over here little hens so they don't all into the waterfall.

Patrick and I found a little place to try our rock climbing skills... they were rather negligible.  We did make it across the gap, but the abundance of spider webs and bat guano had us turning back rather abruptly.  Seeing as how neither of us fell, we'll call this a win.

 We also found the carcase of some other animal that had fallen over the cliffs that make the falls.  It served as a nice object lesson, even though it fouled the air a bit. 









Eventually, as it always does, it turned into one of "those kinds" of hikes and the clothes all came off... we'll they at least came off Ronin.

We finally got enough clothes on Ronin for him to sit for a photo.  A little Hawaii Five-O, but still cut.  Olivia was game for trying to climb all of the places Patrick did.  With her length torso, she was pretty much able too, but she did it with grace and style.  The trip ended with Patrick tripping and catching himself before fall into the waterfall, but not without scuffing up his leg pretty good.

At the end of the hike, we all made it back to the car and then made like the bears and used great mother nature as our scenic outhouse.  Charlotte apparently needed some addition coaching for when she came out of the wood with wet pants, she said "I didn't know I was supposed to pull my pants down all the way."  i can just here Mr. Fredricksen from "UP" yell "It none my concern!"  Sometimes, I wish it was not.  I truly wish it was not.

Despite the downs, I have to agree with Charlotte and give the hike two thumbs up.