Vertigo anyone??

I've had so, so luck in planning vacations for us that have involved a modicum sense of adventure. I usually overshoot the mark (by a lot) and find us knee deep in something.

Flash back to Thanksgiving 2003, we were backpacking in Canyonlands National Park over the long weekend, hiking about 20 miles total over crevices, up ladders, in the middle of no where. This was planned....what wasn't planned was the water freezing in the canisters at night. 15 degree freezing!

Flash back to Summer 2006. We were sea-kayaking in Alaska. We hoped it wouldn't rain but it did. We were soaking wet on the last of three days kayaking when we needed to paddle 12 miles to our pick-up point. This was planned....what wasn't planned was the 20mph head wind, the six foot swells, me not being able to see Lisa in the kayak behind me due to said six foot swells, and our radio call to change our pick-up point to a spot much closer to where we were.

And so flash back....to the last two days. Lisa, Kinley and I went backpacking up Eagle Creek in the Columbia Gorge this past weekend. It's a very reasonable 1/2 hour from Portland. It's 7.5 miles up the creek, camp overnight and hike back 7.5 miles back to the car. Elevation gain is about 1600 feet. This was planned...

We're on our way!
Looking up the canyon
The three of us after about 2.5 miles.
A view up the trail
One of many great waterfalls
A tired dog after 3.5 miles.
Food's a-cookin'
A very tired dog after 7 miles and a full belly!


Now, what wasn't exactly planned you ask?

The intermittent hikes through Mordor
The crazy cliffs right off of the trail
And more crazy cliffs next to and behind Tunnel Falls. Yes, you walk BEHIND the waterfall!
Here are two videos leading up to and through Tunnel Falls



And more cliffs (see Lisa in the distance)
But the view around the corner is spectacular!


Overall I think we had a great time and it was a great experience for all. I couldn't be any prouder of Lisa and Kinley. They were great troopers but I doubt I will be planning a trip like this anytime soon.

Who knew that such amazing things could be found within a 1/2 hour of our house...literally!

The entire album of photos can be viewed here.