Backtracking - Olympic National Park

I realize that I haven't finished the Washington State pictures. After we left Seattle, we went to the Olympic Peninsula and visited Olympic National Park. Our first full day there we went to Hurricane Ridge and did a hike called "Hurricane Hill." It was not a particularly difficult hike, but it also wasn't designed for 2-year-olds. We brought this monster backpack with us - a real beast of thing that requires its own duffle bag for transporting on the plane. Last year we took it to Colorado and it worked great. But last year Katie was 1 and about 10 pounds lighter! So we put her in the backpack and about 2/3's of the way up this ridge, she decides that she's had enough of the backpack, she wants out, she wants to go back to the car, etc. We want to get to the top of the ridge and see the view. We decide to let her out, but Katie wants to walk on the grass (not the trail) and pick up rocks. She's not really interested in getting to the top. It took a lot of persuasion, some carrying, and some tears, but we all go to the top. The other people hiking commented how great it was Katie was walking, what a big girl she was, and couldn't quite believe she is only 2. But these complements don't quite help Katie when she's shy around strangers and ends up grabbing my legs and not going any further. And Katie was rewarded for her efforts. At the top, we saw 4 deer really close up! We all thought that was great. She may not appreciate a great view yet, but she does appreciate seeing animals.

Here I am carrying Katie to the top. It was a great view.

On the way down, Katie walked part way and then objected, though reluctantly went back into the backpack. In no time, she passed out.

And missed seeing the deer walking right beside us on the trail.