Why I Drove 65 Miles to Walk Up a Hill

and not just any hill, but straight up a hill, on 1.5 miles of relentless switchbacks.
(first published May 2011)
Because the sometime-regular ritual of Saturday morning family hikes gave way to seasons of Saturday morning soccer games a few years back.
Because the ritual complaining about those hikes always amounted to happy kids and satisfied parents.
Because it's Mother's Day, and that's pretty much the only reason daughters acquiesce to hikes anymore.
Because the balsamroot and lupine and Indian paintbrush and sun were in full bloom.

Destination: 1.5 miles up to the high point in the distance.

Balsamroot & Lupine

Because a daughter grousing her way to the top giggled herself most of the way back down.

Because the special adolescent cocktail of sneer and absent dear are manageably carried off by the wind at great heights.
Because Oregon wildflowers are so lovely.

Looking eastward over the Columbia River.

Rowena Plateau

Because of the view.

Because mamas must share their ideas of beauty with their daughters.
Because it is often less lonely on top of a mountain.

Because I can be silly and I can be serious.

Closer to that tip of Tom McCall Point

Balsamroot

Because carbon footprints are overpowered by moms making memories with their daughters.

Looking west to Portland

Because of the clouds.
Because I'm me.