From Ski to Sea (Er, Pond)

We said our farewells to skiing and snow with a few after-work ski trips up the local hills.

Isabel getting her ski legs back after a season off.

Kye and momma skied closing day at Silver Fir.

One cool dude with Auntie Dawn, on top of Summit West.

This last one was a bit of a stretch and involved significant portions of walking 

through streams, over brush, etc. As usual, Melissa talked me into it. :)

The past couple weeks, we have had several sunny, warm days, to prepare us for summer which is coming soon. On one such day, Daddy and Kye headed over to Gold Creek Pond to throw rocks and whatnot. 

 Cowboy Kye

Yakima Skyline Rim

A couple weekends ago, we drove to the Yakima River Canyon for an event called the Yakima Skyline Rim, an ultra-running race with a 25 or 50K option. Brandon was running the 25K and Kye and I were the support crew.

Brandon knew a guy that was also running in the race, with several other friends. So we hooked up with this crew on Friday night around a bonfire at the campground. They were great guys with campfire tales both amazing and hilarious.

Just before Brandon and the racers hit the trail, Kye and I headed out to hike a bit. The course was beautiful, with views of the Yakima River, Ellensburg, and the Cascades.

(B is in blue, third person in this pic)

We enjoyed a short hike, then went back to camp where Kye had a great time throwing rocks in the river from the suspension bridge.

Just over a couple hours later, Brandon came across the finish line, placing 5th. Pretty good for no training.

(B coming over the bridge at the finish)

After the race, there was live bluegrass, wood-fire pizza, tons of other grub, and Ellensburg brew on tap. Support crew is not too bad. I got to hike, throw rocks with Kye, eat excellent food, and enjoy bluegrass; Brandon 'got' to run 16 steep miles. Hmmm...