Imagine you are going with a five year old. And then imagine that five year old has a fat friend.

That's kind of always how I pictured the hiking experience would go for me, me being the fat friend of course. Particularly because, (despite having lost a pound or two since Summer 2011) I am in less than ideal physical fitness. Also, until I moved here the closest wilderness I knew was Mammoth, unless you count the La Brea Tar Pits. (Meanwhile, I sure wish I had known about Laurel Canyon, I will pretty much hike anywhere I might run into a celebrity).

What I thought would be the highest part of the trail. It was a very steep climb but only about 15 minutes into the 2 hour long total hike. 

But because of the thrilling cocktail of weekends off and trying to explore the local areas that I have untouched so far and the fact that since I have started New Job the gym is a thing of the past so I have to get in activity where I can, I decided to branch out and go on a hike.

I always always always have to take pictures whenever I see running water in nature. It is something my dad and I have in common. This is a baby stream.

We set out to the Squak Mountain trail, part of the Cougar Mountain area trails (which are extensive and many). This particular trail begins directly off interstate 900, which happens to be the road I take to get to work every day, in Issaquah. The "parking" is a gravel patch on the side of the road so small you might miss it (we did, and had to double back. Way to go Ally). 

Standing at the summit, amongst some of the tallest trees I have ever walked among.

Rarely do I feel a sense of accomplishment. But as I navigated the (sometimes very) narrow paths, huffed and puffed, slugged water, wrapped my jacket around my waist like the 90s child that I am, glanced around at nature, soaked in the sunny spots, and made it to the highest point of the mountain, I felt something new. And when the two empty Confetti Cake blizzard cups were sitting on the table between Maddy and I, a well-deserved treat after the long day, I knew what the funny feeling was. Accomplishment.