It really was not a huge deal, but somehow I have not gotten around to telling all about the flat tire on the mountain top. Oops.

As part of my quest to take the kids on 7 hikes this summer, we went to Franklin Falls last Friday. Mom and the kids and I were in one car. My sister, the kids, and Grandpa Mike in the other. It was cold and raining, but, um, we live in Seattle. Rain does not stop a hike. And it turns out flat tires do not either.

Mom and I missed the final turn off to the hike entrance. We then went up up up the mountain and finally turned around over some rocks. You know, cell phones should be added to the ten essentials. We called Julia etc. Julia came and got all the kids to start the hike. (Miriam got to sit in the front seat! It was an emergency!) Mike stayed and the three of us changed a tire.

I've only changed a tire once before in my life. That was on the side of the highway in the snow. On a cold mountain road was a little easier. I did my part of the manual labor, but I didn't actually understand all the steps. Mom and Mike were in charge there. Then we happily proceeded to join Julia on the hike.

You've got to give my sister credit for taking four kids, including not always good listener David, for a hike in the wilderness. They seemed to have done well. It's one mile each way, basically flat. We caught up with them at the waterfall which, by the way, was looking tremendous. We did this hike last year in August and the difference in volume fascinated the kids. I also appreciated the difference in David's endurance.

My favorite part was my sister and her magic back pack. We sat down for lunch and out emerged a huge waterproof blanket to sit on, a container of pineapple, some lovely sliced cucumbers. . .I had some fritos to share.

The worst part of the adventure was driving 50 miles to the nearest town at 50 miles an hour on a freeway rated 70. We got the tire fixed at the, hallelujah, easy to find and open, tire shop; ate ice cream and French fries; and got home two hours later than we planned.