Day 2--Another Amazing Day

All I can say is that the scenery is just awesome and amazing!  You will see lots of "tree" pictures from today because I'm so blown away with the size and majesty of the forests along the way.  The Cascade Mountains are surrounding us, the rivers are rushing with rapids, and to-night the sky is blue with the tall cedars and Douglas firs filling the air around us.  Our riders did just an amazing ride today--lots of long uphills.  Olin, Helen and I began our morning loading up the jeep, shopping for lunchtime groceries,  and then we hit the local park and playground.  Olin first rode down the street with the "bikers"!!  Then we sent them on their way.  Magically, Tom arrived with a cappucino for me to enjoy from my Bermuda mug.  Our first stop was at the Hope slide a few miles along the road.  We met the bikers there for a photo shoot.  Our picnic stop was beside a rushing river where Olin watched a man catch a trout--and release!  More scenery followed before we arrived at Manning Park Lodge.  Great fun here with gorgeous chain saw carvings, a small playground for Olin and most importantly, the Hoary Marmottes!  Greedy little beasts that come and go in the holes in the ground, and are rudely tame.  Next stop was at the pool and hot tub where we were able to relax with the gang of bikers who had arrived.  Afterwards, we had cocktail hour in the sunshine outside.  Olin, Gordon and Souhaila took a stroll in the nearby woods and saw a young buck--very exciting!
Lots of pictures will follow.  Weather has been lovely today.
Now it's good-night.  Life is good.
Madge