Dear Maya,
You Mother and Father love road trips. In fact, part of the reason we are in Seattle is to experience all the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Today was a big day for you. It was your first road trip. We need to know if you are going to travel well. If you do not travel well we might have to leave you on a door step somewhere. Luckily it didn't come to that. So far at nearly 4 months into your life, you travel great!
Now we've been on some crazy long treks for "day" trips. We decided to start easy. Where could we go that we haven't been to that is within a 90 minute drive? We casually looked at the map this morning and boom, we found it; Lost Lake. It's only over an hour drive just passed snoqualmie pass heading east on I90. Sweet. Easy peasy.
We roughly studied the map and there were roads called "N-59" and such. Ok we didn't have it 100% mapped out but how hard can it be? (we didn't account for the mountain dirt roads once we got off I90)
But whatever. We took off around noon and soon enough we were entering the Cascades.
You couldn't have been more excited. </sarcasm>
At the point in your life when you are reading this you probably realize that we aren't the most organized bunch of parental units active in these parts. That's ok. Our unorganization leads to new discoveries sometimes. One wrong turn off of I90 and we were at Keechelus Lake and not Lost Lake.
We got to enjoy some sun, scenary and confirm that yup, we did indeed take a wrong turn. This is also the first road trip for our new ride.
Ok. After that side trip and a stop for a gas station lunch we were back on track. No wonder we took the other turn. The "right" turn turned into a dirt road almost immediately.
The town fire station.
We saw one sign that said "Lost Lake 4 miles" with an arrow in the direction we were going. After about 3.9 miles we hit a 5 way dirt intersection. No signs. Barely any signs of life. When in doubt go left? I think I heard that in a movie somewhere or something. All life's riddles are answered in the movies kid.
After another half mile or so we saw the lake! One problem; we were driving a way from it. And by away I mean above. Mommy had concerns once we reached a high enough elevation to see snow.
You got to play with your first snowball today though! You thought it was cold but were otherwise unimpressed.
Mommy. This snowball is for you!
We did get some decent views of Lost Lake from this path though! It was pretty sunny for a little baby!
Mommy was too scared to continue up our dirt path.
So back down to the 5 road intersection to nowhere and time to choose a different path. The next path just led us passed the lake again but on the other side. And like our first choice, that path started to climb too. So it was a quick turn around but on the way back we discovered a pretty waterfall!
You put your feet into the mountain creek. It was pretty cold and you cried like a... well... you cried like a 4 month old with her feet in ice cold mountain creek water.
So back down the path. As it turns out if you park at the 5 way intersection to nowhere you can actually walk to lake at ground level. Huh. Now we know I guess.
On the way home we were treated to more scenic opportunities.
You did not seem impressed at our attempt to get a family self portrait.
That's ok. You were a pretty tired kiddo from the trip.
But you were so good on the entire trip. You even let us enjoy a quick and early dinner (and brew) at the Rogue brewery on the way home! You were a pretty big hit there.
They say that at four months babies should show interest in people food. I wonder if this counts.
So we only stayed at our original destination for about 5 minutes but had an absolute blast on our family day trip. So far so good kiddo. Looks like we can keep you. You were such a good little traveler.
Next trip we'll see how you handle an overnight.
