Hiking in the heat

August was a cruel month indeed this year.  Hot.  Dusty.  Smoky.  Ugh.  Seemed like the AC was running 24/7 because we couldn't even open our windows at night for a breeze lest we bring in all the smoke from the wildfires.  September wasn't much better.
I know, I know, at least we have AC.

And yet in the midst of the misery, a little band of intrepid hikers decided to conquer a trail near Mt. St. Helens on Labor Day.  We couldn't really even see the mountain, but we had a good day tromping around and visiting with each other.  The older boys pretty much ran the whole trail, the moms... not so much.

Spirit Lake

The wildflowers want it to rain almost as much as I do.

Good times, my friends, good times.

How does the Man in the Moon cut his hair?

How does the Man in the Moon cut his hair?  Eclipse it!  (Get it?)

Anyhoo, we didn't get totality here in our little town, but we went to a neighbor's eclipse party all the same.
It was a potluck.
We brought Moon Pies.
Seemed fitting.

The really dark shot is with the special glasses over my phone lens. Those two selfies (I'm so not good at selfies) have a reflection of the eclipse on my neck and on my cheek.  I had no idea that would happen.