Puddle hopping to West Point Inn with the Dufours!

After a wonderful Thanxgiving feast with the Carpentier's in San Jose and spending time with Kim's extended family who just moved to San Jose, we decided we should walk off the turkey and head to a hut like we do every year after Thanxgiving.  It's wonderful, we pack up the leftovers, and spend more time with friends at an amazing location.  This year we decided to return to West Point Inn... a magical place on Mt. Tam with the Dufours.  The forecast was for rain, and we were prepared for a slog up in the mud with whining kids, but as soon as they saw their first puddle, they were giggling, jumping, then running to the next puddle.  At the hut, we enjoyed our leftovers, Alexis and I got to play a game of chess (which happens once every other year or so...), and chase Nikko around while he crawled around finding things to eat.  We capped the night off with a single malt Yamazaki I gifted to Alexis in jollification of his 40th B-day.


I wanted to share another Gary Yost production about Mt. Tam... check it out when you get a chance.

A Day in the Life of a Fire Lookout. from Gary Yost on Vimeo.

schrooms!  We need Hoeft to ID these.  

The hike up was foggy... which I always enjoy.  

The crew!  

Puddles!!!

fern

and before we knew it we were at the Inn. 

drinking hot coco and changed into our warm dry clothes.  

I guess I didn't take many pics while we were inside.  The kiddos were suited up after we ate breakfast, packed up, cleaned our rooms, and finished our chores. 

the fog kept coming in and out on Sunday.   It was nice to get a view again. 

Alexis looking down at the trees breathing fog.  

All suited up, ready to toss some shoes!

creek!

and running off to find the next splash-able object.

man down!

Banana slug love. 

Thomas down again!

more puddles!

the clouds came in and out on our hike down... watching the hills breath the fog in and out was mesmerizing.   

Kiddos checking out a waterfall that didn't exist on our hike up.

Thomas down again!

a shockingly in focus shot of Kai running on my phone...

Family shot!

Alexis tossing his kids into bushes...

Dufours

Kimbo pushed our stuff on the way down... claiming she did half the work...

fog fun...

Kimbo in her traditional hiking gear...

the kiddos approaching the road...

The leftover leftovers...

On our way home we decided to swing by Muir Beach and head to Pelican Inn for lunch.  

The kiddos were exhausted, and made for a quiet ride home.  Kai fell asleep with his bottle in his mouth.