A little note about last week's adventure: never break in new hiking boots on a 35 degree incline trail.

As I hike through these familiar trails, I am reminded of the days my poor father carried me on his shoulders when I was small and tired and whining.   The weigh of a small child FAR exceeds the weight of the small pack I was whining about in the heat of last weekend.  My poor, yet dear dear father.

But the view from the top was not so bad...