South Fork Snoqualmie — Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001

It was an incredible warm morning, and it wasn't pouring, so I hauled an antsy 2.5 year old boy outta the house and put his exploration hat on. Much of the South Fork Snoqualmie River can be walked on one or both sides from well north of North Bend all the way south to where it turns east into Twin Fall State Park thanks to the RR grade. To add a fun factor, I started the little guy smack in the heart of North Bend off North Bend Way so we could explore the historic RR trestle just west of the main downtown intersection. Christopher loved it, but was sorely disappointed when I told him no trains would be coming on this day. We then headed south along the river, which was running many times higher/faster than two days ago due to the heavy, warm rains. We used all 10 essentials for a 2.5 year old: rocks, sticks, mud-stompin accessories, more rocks, and the critical ""Explorers Discovery Box"" that is for him to fill with his treasures from the days expedition. Another successful day ""in the wilds"". What' You don't think 1.5 miles of hiking in North Bend is an adventure' Just try hiking it with a little guy who's main goal for the day is to dam a river that's moving along at 10,000 cu/ft/second with all of the rocks he's throwing into it!!! It's a rough day, lemme tell you! :-)