Sam would have been 26 years old today. Hard to believe. I felt him all day.. .. many days I do. 

I really, really missed him today though. 

We marked his birthday a little differently today.. we decided to do something smaller this year. We’d just had a gathering for Gabe’s graduation.

We we’re looking for something a little we decided to hike as always.. but have our gathering at the top of the mountain instead of here at the house.  

 

We had a nice small group of folks meet us .. even though it was memorial day. we had a greta collection of doggies as well . (ours didn’t go.. it’s a little much for Chai at this point) 

it was warm and still.. 

 

we actually found some residual snow on the trail !

 

and lots and lots of mud ! 

 

we set up a nice spread up top. .it was fun eating up there !

 

diane made amazon cupcakes.. yum !

 

brads new improved ink 

 

here’s our group 

 

and a toast for Sam !

 

Gabe and I climbed up the rickety fire tower to set off a mortor as always 

 

it was crazy settig this off here.. any sudden movement set the tower to swayign crazily !

It was realllllly loud !

looking back towards camels hump 

 

here’s the condition of the ladders. look how beat they are ! 

 

then down to the lift.. Andy’s daughter Maria met us there .

 

on the way down we ran into these guys who’d gotten their jeep really stuck We saw them drive out an hour later !

 

back in the car, away from the bugs.. .. lookign at sams pendant 

 

same as the one I wear all the time .. it spells Sam in Mayan . 

 

OK my son.. another year past.. and our love for you stays strong. We miss you Sam and love you veyr much !

 

nite all, nite sam

-me