Echo Ridge is an easy, if winding, drive up from the Lake. I'd been up there once before and although it wasn't that impressive it'd be ok with a different purpose.

The trail was supposed to be short and easy. It was called the Lollipop. Seriously, how hard could that be? In fact, not only did we bring Tokul, but also Addie who is also getting... um... wiser by the minute.

Letterboxing is most fun when we can give the instructions to the kids and watch them hunt. Follow the trail to the first view of the lake (check), admire the view (Clark Griswold style at the Grand Canyon, but check (no, we weren't speaking in tongues)), find the pair of trees on either side of the trail (check), acquire letterbox (check), scamper away so nobody sees you (check).

Sure, we could have stopped just up the hill, but the Tootsie Roll trail was right there with promises of additional views at the cost of only a one kilometer loop. Trudge trudge trudge, Addie kills a frog, trudge trudge trudge, Addie eats some grass, trudge, trudge, trudge. (I know, it sounds like a lot to cram into half a kilometer, huh?

The letterbox popped open with a nice ladybug stamp that was soon all over our journals. Unlike the letterbox on Twin Falls this one had been found by a bundle of people from all over. It looks like there are plenty of freaks like us out there.

Stamped and watered we wound our way back to the hiding spot where the kids used the valuable veggie-belay skill I've taught them to climb the steep slope and rehide the box. The dogs, not used to the heat (well, at least our wet-side dogs) huddled under the truck out of the sun. The rest of us reveled in it before heading back to the house for some much needed rest time.

Did I mention this was a mellow outing? 1.2 miles and 75 feet of gain, but it did cement the idea of letterboxing as a winner so it was well worth it.