Twin Lakes, Snoqualmie

Every now and then I stumble across a place that is really special. This trip started out late (after an England world cup match), frantically packing lunches and galons of water to help compensate the early summer heat-wave. About an hour from Seattle we exited the freeway and drove 4 miles on a forest service road. Finding the trail head would have been impossible if I hadn't asked two trail runners.

We immediately started on the old trail that wound its way through giant fur trees at the side of a small gorge with rapids running below. As the trees got thicker we soon found patched of snow and ice stil melting in the 80 degree temperatures. Both Muirenn and Aislinn were in their element as they crumbled ice flakes over their faces.

About a mile along the trail we reached a cross roads that was completely covered in snow. Taking a leaf from my boy-scout training I guessed the way and within minutes we found our destination - Twin Lakes.

This picture perfect setting was straight out of backpackers guide book I once owned. I could hardly take in the beauty of the place. Snow capped mountains surrounded a pristine lake being fed by two streams of ice cold snow melt. Muirenn and Aislinn were immediately paddling in the water despite a temperature so low it actually hurt. We had lunch before the real excitement to began.

Muirenn and Aislinn discovered a frog and spent their time catching the slippery fellow until he escaped. We thought he had got away until Muirenn shouted out, "A snakes caught the frog!". Sure enough a foot long snake had wrapped himself around the poor unfortunate frog and locked his tiny head around the frogs head which was four times the size. Needless to say both Muirenn and Aislinn were horrified. I stepped in and managed to seperate the determined little snake from the frog who jumped an entire yard before swimming away. Our curiosity with the snake continued as we attempted to pick him up. Aislinn had no fear and tried to grab his tail - as seen on t.v.'s crocodile hunter. He found his way to our camp, hid under a rock before casually leaving. Our dog Leah, watched the entire event with perked up ears as I had to call her off a number of times. Our afternoon came to an end all to soon before we were back on the road home.

Days like this, were precisely the reason why I decided to move us all the way to Seattle. Muirenn and Aislinn will grow up with memories like this to treasure for the rest of their lives.