DRIFT CREEK FALLS TRAIL

I am in love with his hike. Drift Creek Falls Trail is a beautiful and easy hike, 3 miles round trip.
The highlight of the hike is a suspension bridge - a 240 foot long cable suspension bridge, which is 100 feet above the water where you have a gorgeous view of a 75 foot waterfall.

See this huge chunk of rock next to us?  In 2010, this huge chunk of the cliff cleaved off and fell down to the canyon.  Down here, there is a little picnic table and a lot of rocks to climb on.  Across from us, closer to the water fall, there were even a few menehune rock stacks.

Next time you're on your way to Lincoln City, go on this little excursion.  You'll be glad you did!

PS - There is a $5.00 National Park fee. 

MAKAPU'U POINT LIGHTHOUSE

The hike to Makapu'u Point Lighthouse is an easy 2 miles.  There is very little shade, so a lot of water and sunscreen are a must.  It is gorgeous!  You can't walk up to the lighthouse, but you can see if from above and the side.  There are also WWII pillbox ruins that you can explore.  We didn't see any whales, but heard it is a must place to go when it is whale season.

LANIKAI PILLBOX TRAIL

in Kailua is an absolute must-do if you are heading to Oahu.  It is a short, but steep, hike to two World War II bunkers.  The hike is about a mile up and the view is unbelievably amazing.

Most of the hike you have the ocean breeze to cool you off but don't let that fool you - make sure take sunscreen and water.  And, I would recommend wearing shoes, not sandals.

I give an enthusiastic two thumbs up for this hike.

CLARNO PALISADES

was one of my favorite hikes of the weekend. The Clarno Palisades is off of Highway 218 and is gorgeous.
The boys had so much fun finding plant fossils and petrified logs and limbs along the hike. There are markers along the hike that tell interesting facts, talk of prehistoric events and point out features about the rock formations.

HIKING THE "Y"

I read a review that said this Provo hike was "easy but steep", which is true but a little misleading.

It is easy because it's only 1.2 miles and you follow a very well marked trail but that is the only thing easy about it for a sea-level wussy hiker, like myself....

It is STEEP with a fewer places even steeper and the 980 feet elevation gain made me feel like a pansy.

So, I have a few words of advice that I will remember for next time and might help you when you go to hike it yourself.

1. Don't go during the hottest part of the day.

2. Bring more than one bottle of water.

3. Don't bring your purse - put your camera in a backpack.

4. Enjoy the resting benches and the beautiful view while you catch your breath throughout the switchbacks.

I finally made it to the top of the "Y" and the view is gorgeous!

The"Y" is 380 feet high and 180 feet wide and is the largest collegiate symbol in the United States - the letter is bigger than the letters in the 'Hollywood' sign in California.

Who wants to go with me next time I'm in town?

STEPHANIE-PALOOZA

has begun!
My sister is moving to Scotland in seven weeks, so we have decided to have a Stephanie-Palooza, which begins in Oregon and ends in Utah.
First item on her list - the 8.7 mile Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls.

It was a beautiful hike and I can only imagine how much more beautiful they are when the water levels are higher.
My favorite falls were the first, second and tenth.
PS. If it's going to be a 98 degree day, go early and take a lot of water.