The Mountain

**Warning: This is really, really long. I kinda ramble. Sorry. Don't feel like you have to read it. I won't know the difference.**
So, we have some friends whose family own some land not too far from here. They are always going to 'the mountain' the hang out, fish, hunt, etc. Well, we finally had a day that we could go with them. It took about an hour to get there but before I get into it too much, I want to tell you about getting there. First of all, for those of you who don't know, we live in a military town. Half of our population is made up of the Air Force Base here. So, it's common to see military vehicles, feel Blackhawks shake my windows, and watch some really fast planes flying in pretty shapes. (Can you tell, I don't really 'get' the military thing yet... must be the Canadian in me. Anyway...) We were meeting up out of town to follow our friends and, we were running a little bit late. So, she called to see where we were. We were almost there and she was like, well, look out for the missile transport. We were like, awesome. So, after a few minutes driving, we see a helicopter circling overhead. Then, a couple of Humvee's taking both lanes (I don't know if I spelled that right but I know that's what they're called, they're just hummers. I don't know why they don't call them hummers.) Following the 'Humvee' a rather large semi truck, white, unmarked sides with panels all over it... with a helicopter circling it. Seriously, this guy was flying so low, we thought at one point he might hit a car on the freeway. Unfortunately, he circled a little bit wider just as we got close, my friend said you could see a guy hanging out with his weaponry at the ready. After that whole procession, a couple more 'Humvee's. I know that this was a long and pointless story, but the question is, would you have passed? I mean, it's not like they were going very fast. I would have wanted to pass. Would the guy in the helicopter open fire if you did? These questions and more haunt me to this day. Well, not really. On with our mountain trip.

So, we drive for a while longer, then, there is no more road (I mean, we're already off the gravel). We're driving on dirt paths through farmer's fields. We have to stop every so often to open and close gates. At one of these, my friend says to us, when it gets too rough for you, let us know and we can all pile in our car (because, for some reason, she thought their 4x4 could handle more than our mini van?). We keep driving and let me tell you, I was really nervous we were going to go over. We were driving on nothing on the edges of steep hills. Let me help some of you understand, think of the road from the farm to the river, but for several miles. I was practically hyperventilating. I know that I tend to exaggerate some things, but ask Timothy, it may not have been quite as bad as I'm describing, but I was still panicked. Anyway, eventually, there was no road at all, just a mountain path. And I thought of Twilight and longed to have that Jeep. But it was absolutely beautiful! We got to a 'bridge' over a river with a water fall on the side (it was really just some planks, watch where you put your tires!). There we stopped for some fishing! This was my second time ever fishing, my first being days after Emma was born in a stocked pond.

So, this is what we saw when we got out of the car. So peaceful and beautiful. Ahhh.

Timothy was so excited to be fishing, he threw his line in first (I know it's not called throwing, but I don't remember what it is called. Casting?) right off the 'bridge'. And almost immediately,

Here are some more fishing shots.

Timothy trying to catch them as they jump up the waterfall. (I have never seen that in real life. Those fish are crazy!)

Our friend, trying her luck.

And me, not quite fishing. But on my way.

The girls (and boy) playing.

Nice family picture. We can never get everyone looking at the same time. Silly Wicket, wouldn't even pose.

After about an hour of fishing and playing in the water, no one else had caught anything, so, we decided to head up to 'camp' and roast some hot dogs.

We drove for a little bit, over some more 'bridges' before stopping next to some machinery. They're like, this is as far as you go, get whatever you want to bring and get in. So, we all pile in to their jeep-like-thing. Four adults, three kids, a dog, and all our picnic stuff. It was cozy. We start driving a little more and I discover the need for the 4x4. They haven't built the last bridge yet. Luckily, the water was not high at this point and things went smoothly. At camp they've got a little cook house and permanent tents. It was really neat. They also run an outfitting thing (guided hunting) so they have the outfitters camp there too. It was neat. Anyway, we had fun around the fire and, we ate Timothy's fish. I don't like fish. But, eating it fresh out of the water, cooked over a campfire, it was pretty tasty.

Here's KK, dirty face=good time!

Timothy likes these next two pictures because I look so angry. I'm really not. I was trying to roast the dogs perfectly in the first, and just relaxin' in the second. Maybe smoke was blowing in my eyes, I don't' know. I promise, I really was having fun. Next time tell me you're taking pictures!

Anyway, I think I've jabbered on for long enough. We had a great time! So much fun and just beautiful! We loved it!