hike pdx :: dog mountain

Guess what day it is!!!!! 

HUMP DAY!!!! But no really, how funny is that commercial?! Gets me every time and I need a pick me up this morning, because I am running a little low on energy. Brad drug took me to a US Men's National Soccer game last night that didn't start until 8pm.  Other than that fact that I was far too hot and dying crammed in like sardines with the people next to me it was pretty awesome. They won 6-1. 

Also, ladies (and gents - no discrimination here) if you haven't gotten into soccer yet, do yourself a favor and start watching or go to this website. The boys that play are attractive and in fantastic shape. Plus, a lot of them rock sleeve tattoos and I find that enjoyable. 

Anyways, that is not why I am here today.  This morning I wanted to show you guys the photos (not just the instagram ones) I took on my hike up to Dog Mountain. 

Dog Mountain is located on the Columbia River (Washington State side of the River.) 

Thanks for the in focus, not showing any of the river photo, random stranger.

The Gorge is beautiful and the hike is 7 miles by the time you get up and back down. 

Don't let the flowers fool you, it was pretty much all incline up to the summit. 

So pretty! 

One thing to point out, the trail does have a lot of poison oak at the beginning, so make sure you stay on the path! Luckily I did not get into any, because ain't nobody got time for that.

The hike is a modified loop in the sense that it breaks apart into an easier trail and a more difficult trail up the summit. 

We took the more difficult trail on the way up and then took the other one on the way back.  Then the downhill wasn't so steep and it was kinder on my knees. 

Also, I am officially a fan of Shot Blocks by Clif Bar. I don't normally use anything during my workouts, because they are hardly ever over an hour, but these were great for the hike and they taste really good. Kind of just want to eat them as a gummy snack every day. I don't think that is how they are actually supposed to be used, but whatever, I do what I want. 

This is my other token photo opp, when I am not giving the thumbs up. 

Take me back... but maybe by helicopter this time, I was sore after the hike ;)

Cheers to hiking! 

<3 BB

independence day shenanigans

So, I didn't hunt any British, but I did have great 4th of July Shenanigans! Ones that featured the usual BBQ with friends and fireworks! Question: could you ask for anything more on the 4th? Answer: no. A few of us from our group even dared to head down to the Portland waterfront after the BBQ to see the fireworks, and better yet, managed to stay away from the huge crowds.

Kelley and I were twinning from head to toe.  What you don't see pictured is the matching white shorts and rainbow flip flops, which was all unplanned. 

The rest of the weekend was just as awesome.  It included the Waterfront Blues Festival where we saw 3 different performances, my favorite being Allen Stone. (Don't worry, I will introduce you to him more tomorrow on Tunesday) 

Fact: one can never go wrong with boyfriend fit jeans and rainbows.  Summer uniform has been found.

Brad and I also decided to get a little crazy and hike a mountain on Saturday.  Dog Mountain is no joke, but the views were sure pretty.  I just have to keep telling myself they were worth the sore butt I now have from the 3 plus miles of incline. 

Oh, and did I mentioned I made dessert for the BBQ?  There might not be any left, because this happened a lot over the weekend. Why dirty another dish, when you can eat it from the pan?!

This is why I do not keep sweets in my home. Thank God I hiked a mountain to counteract it a little bit.

Anyway, this 4 day weekend has me jonesing for summer break. Why can't I still be in grade school?! I was so jealous of the little kids riding their bikes in our neighborhood when Brad and I went on an evening walk before bedtime last night. You know they got to stay out past nine, because it wasn't a school night. Not fair.

Cheers to Amurica!

<3 BB