what's in the mailbox? (January 2018)

Our first act of 2018 was pretty darn awesome. 

On New Year's day, we woke up unreasonably early (so early that it was very dark and very cold and I really wanted to go back to bed), and headed towards Snoqualmie to the Mailbox Peak trail (https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mailbox-peak). I had been told about this trail many times and was definitely a bit hesitant; I also had never done winter hiking and wasn't sure it would be my thing--I hate being cold and wet at the same time, and a snow-covered trail seemed very unpromising in that regard. 

Still ... it also sounded like a pretty cool adventure (which I do like) so I decided to give it a try. No surprise, James and Kevin were more than happy to join in as well!

We layered up ...

No snow pants or snow coats! That would be WAY too hot and get you all sweaty in the first several minutes of the hike. Which would def not feel good later when it's windy and quite freezing at the peak. On the flip side, a big YES, to micro-spikes, waterproof boots, and fatty gloves!!

Then we headed to the trail! 

One fantastic part of this specific hike, is that we tag along with a great group of friends!!

I honestly don't have many pictures ... it was almost too cold to take off your gloves even just for a few minutes to get out the phone and snap a few.

I did manage a selfie at the Peak!

No one really wanted to stay up at the top that day because the wind chill was pretty intense, so it was really just me, the mailbox, and the incredible view. I was worried my phone would freeze up and not work long enough for a picture, but fortunately ...

As soon as I'd had a moment though to see the view and snap a picture, I bolted back down and out of that wicked cold as quickly as I could!

Unfortunately, I bolted so quickly that I didn't even stop to see what was in the darn mailbox!!!:-( A friend asked me about it later, and I couldn't believe I hadn't taken a peek. Ah, well. Next time I guess.

Oh, the mystery!:-)

Hope it wasn't a million dollars;)

The way down was pretty awesome, as we again got to enjoy all the winter beauty we had gawked at on the way up. Before we knew it, everyone had made it back down to the parking lot 

(of course, some--namely the teenagers--had been down a LOT longer than others;).

Ready for naps ... and maybe some donuts!

Hoping this one sticks as a yearly tradition!!