i survived devil's crotch and didn't even get a lousy t-shirt.

so the backpacking trip was a success...

except for the 1/2 mile in 1/2 mile back out *detour* along the edge/sheer drop of a rushing river on a path about a foot wide that was steep as all get out and then after having to hike back out (some discrepancies concerning the map, where we were, etc.) it was another 1/2 mile or so up to the main path on a hill that was 45 degrees with no switchbacks and a black bear (the kind that eat people) just for shits and giggles...

i'm sure the river canyon *detour* had a name but i like to refer to it as devil's crotch...

good. lord.

that was possibly one of the rougher hikes i have ever been on...hands down...the main hike was cake, it was the *detour* that did us in...and it was the first time backpacking for the boybarians!...but they did an EXCELLENT job and are just the best troopers...when the shit hits the fan they can really deal...we were very very proud of them...

so now we're back and there's much to do...projects around the house, (yes, the christmas things are still in the hall) school, etc...

summer is still here, but i feel it waning...there's probably another backpacking trip and an extended camping trip before it's gone for good...

and then after the summer/fall travels i thought we'd get a kitten (i know i know but hear me out) because the boybarians have been wishing loudly and often for a baby sister...

that's right.

a baby.

they apparently don't actually live in the same house as i do or they are the great optimists of our time...

x.

dinner tonight

cioppino
fennel and raddichio salad
sourdough bread

i have never made cioppino but i love it and thought i'd give it a go...i'm using cod, scallops, and shrimp...they didn't have any fresh mussels at the market or else i'd throw those in too...i'm not sure how i'll dress the salad or even if i will...balsamic seems the way to go, but everyone has a different preference for dressings here at the big red house...since fennel and raddichio are a deviation from our norm in terms of salad, i think i'll toss most of it with the balsamic for the lord of the ring and me, and let the boybarians dress it how they like...