Let me start by saying that it has taken me nearly 3 hours to come to grips with the events that unfolded during this hike. It is only now that I am emotionally ready to tell the story. I hope this serves as a reminder to those that hike. Please know the group and their abilities before heading out. I suggest that before you continue reading, go grab a snack, maybe some nachos or cheese hoogilies.

On to the trip report...

After the initial invite was sent and attendee's confirmed, they started to drop off. Many reasons were given...
a)Working
b)Mangy Foot
c)Couldn't sleep, slightly exhausted
d)Have the kids
e)Knee doesn't work like it's supposed to
f)I'd prefer to sit on the couch and eat Bon-bon's all day and watch the shopping network, and maybe some Springer.

For "a" thru "e", I understand. For "f", keep it up and you'll be pricing out a gastro-intestinal bypass.

The plan was to meet at Timmies and go to the Skagit River. Really no plans after that except to laugh, hike, and eat. We accomplished all three. The victims of todays adventure were...

Bluecruisin. "You take one more picture of me and I'm gonna...!!!)

Skyhawk. "I kill people that take out of focus pictures!"

Trillium. "Thank you God for keeping Billygoat at home today."

...and me, but I didn't take self-portrait. I'm sure one of the others will post something embarassing of me.

We started off around 9:00am and took our leisurely Slack Ass time on the crunchy but sinking snow. We stopped frequently to take pictures of the surrounding beauty. It was very much a "Snow Falling on Cedars" day.


Soon we reached the bridge and some clearing skies. (We experienced a blue patch of sky for mere minutes, and the snow continued to fall lightly all day.)


Eventually we came to the truck/falls/cabin/abandoned mine.

Here is my thought process when seeing this truck..."Oh, cool truck"..."Huh, bullet holes"..."Hmm, bullet holes = red necks"..."Hey, I wonder how Todd is doing?"

After reading the side of the cabin, I determined that I was the only one in this group still in my thirties. "Oh...well this is rather awkward, isn't it?" (Then I laughed nervously.)

Frozen Falls

Sue trying her best to look like she's in jail. I have a feeling that if she were ever arrested, she'd smile for her mug-shot as well.

It was at the falls that I discovered that Trillium and Bluecruisin were none other that the infamous "Leki Sisters", well known and much feared throughout the hiking community. (I put on a brave face for fear that they'd find out I'm on to them, but deep down, I was SCARED!)

A muffin top. (A word of advice to all the men reading this trip report; if your wife or girlfriend are wearing jeans that are much too tight around the belly, DO NOT call them your "Little Muffin Top". This will not get you sex.)

We carried on with the intent of getting to Delacey camp, but this was not a goal oriented hike as today we proudly wore the badge of Slack Ass's. We found a nice spot to take some pictures and ended up staying for lunch. Ron, aka "The Shovelnator" created a great spot with a view of the water.

Thanks Skyhawk.




The View.


While eating our lunch and sampling a fine Port Sherry, two unknown hikers stumbled upon us, both had no pack and he was wearing jeans that were quite wet. They definatley looked out of sorts. Finally I asked them a very obvious question, "You looking for Gerry and Becky?" The response was expected, "Ya, have you seen them?" Without another word spoken, four Slack Asses from CT raise their hands and all point downstream.





Anita, it was awesome to finally meet you! Looking forward to our next hike.
Sue, you just might be nuttier than me. Time will tell.
Ron, a pleasure as always. Great day today.

Ha ha ha, great TR!!!

Looks like some slackers were too slack to show up for their slack ass hike.

Did you find Bully?

Great report Moses. Love your pictures!

It was a very nice "hoogilie" day organized by Trillium even though we had a [u]youngster</u> with us! For all the true "slack assers" that stayed at home, know this: my ass is a bit less slack today than it was yesterday. How's yours???

A few of my pics:
Mandatory group shot



Ron trying to get his tongue stuck [)]

Frank, I think you're "nuttier" than me as proven by this pic []



Lunch break at the beach

Skyhawk

Moses

Trillium

Here comes trouble aka "The Leki Sisters" [}]



Thanks to Trillium, Skyhawk and Moses for making today a wonderful day out playing in the snow with lots of smiles and laughter.

Cheers!

Ah looks like a wonderful day was had by all attendees! Someday I will grace the SASS group with my presence (I'm envious of your fisheye Mo!)

Great trip report Frank.
I'd have to say you're still nuttier than Sue.
Sucks that I missed another trip.
Well my knee is worse today not sure what I did to it but I guess I'll have to get it checked out.
Will be working on new boots for my son too.
Hopefully a SASS trip is in my near future...

Tim, don't succumb to "Lens Lust".

That's actually quite a nice portrait:

Very funny TR.
Good pictures too. Glad you 4 had a great time.

Yes, Moses is a wonderful photographer. I usually hate pictures of myself but this one isn't too bad.

Cheers!

Here you go ...


Nature's paparazzi indeed ...



Blucruisin takes a tumble on the descent, so Moses graciously offers to show how it does gracefully done ...


We carry on and come to the old mine site...

where things got a bit weird and I feel the need to tell the story yet untold. Reflecting on it now, I believe it began with paparazzi envy. I think Moses flashed his big and beautiful camera just once too often ...

and Blucruisin just lost it, I mean she really lost it!

Next she goes after Skyhawk who is merely an innocent bystander ...

However, Skyhawk skilfully takes on a defensive stance ...

It was over as quickly as it began and after Moses extracted the missile from his skull, we carried on ...

But, I believe there may be some lingering side effects so if you come across Skyhawk and he looks like this ...

steer clear of him! [:0]


Moses, it was a pleasure meeting you and thanks everyone for a very fine and fun day.

Great pictures everyone. Soooo sorry I missed this but I just couldn't get my slack ass out of bed. [xx(]
I hate missing out on being with my favourite nutty people. It almost makes me feel normal [)]
Working Graveyards sucks. Lucky for me I only have one more week to do.

.

Pretty scary stuff. This is what happens when you take a small group of ordinary folks and drop them into a wilderness situation that tests the limits of mental and physical endurance. One by one, the normal restraints on behaviour are pushed to the breaking point until even life itself is measured cheap ... at the point of an icicle.

Sounds like a fun day. Great pictures.

Looks like you had fun!