Rattlesnake Ridge Ascent

Are these NW kids or what?
This week is spring break for Seattle public schools. Son #2 (the boys'Dad) has the day off so we planned to go for a hike. It had been a beautiful sunny weekend. Today we woke to rain. On the phone this am making plans, son #2 (the golf pro) says "well, golfers would show up at the course." So off we go to a beautiful hiking area this side of Snoqualmie Pass to take another crack at Rattlesnake Ridge in the Cedar river Rec. area. H and I and the 3 kids went part way up 2 years ago but haven't been back. The sun poked through for a bit here and there - that's our goal, that highest peak in that cloud- it's just over 2 miles on the trail - have to admit at times, in the rain, it felt more like 10 - at least to Oskar, who got his Dad to carry him on his shoulders for a short way. No one else was about to turn back - so there they are on the top, in heavy rain and wind. The view from here is stunning - but not today! We didn't stay long. - Grampa is there to make sure they don't step backwards! Tatum counted all told 44 people and 1 dog on the trail. If we had been here saturday in the sun, it would have been many times that -and they wouldn't all fit on that skinny rock on the top. The trip down was faster - but even wetter as the heavens opened up in earnest at the end. But we took our very wet selves to Twede's Cafe (featured in the TV series Twin Peaks years ago) in North Bend for milkshakes fries hamburgers and toasted cheese - and "damm fine coffee"- there were 3 very large appetites! And much talk of "whose idea was this hike anyway?" directed at H and me. A good time! :-)