I just recovered from a bruised sternum and broken wrist so I was pretty aware of what it takes to push through. By contrast, Clara was still trying to recover from knee problems after a year. It derailed her ballet "career" and has left her uncertain of her body's capabilities.

Knees are tricky things. Over the last year we've learned that Clara, like me, has kneecaps that ride high. This means they're subject to dislocation and other problems. I wound up with three surgeries before I had graduated college, the first was in eighth grade... and that's where Clara is now. Rather than charge into surgery we've focused on physical therapy and slow progression.

We've had a few backslides, but in general it's been going well. Slow, but well. The last time Clara was out for more than a short walk up our local trail it was in July when we rambled about in Oregon. The biggest hike she did was the amazing Wizard Island in Crater Lake National Park. So it was only fitting that we returned to a national park for her next step toward recovery.

Second Burroughs Mountain is one of the very best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. It's not terribly hard or far and the views are enough to make anyone forget about a sore knee. It worked its magic. We watched as the summit cleared of clouds. I had a chance to explain all about lenticular clouds, how they formed, and why they are so cool. The kids just loved hearing my take on science.

What Clara and Henry actually loved was playing with the camera. They found ladybugs and chipmunks and consumed a can of Pringles, of course. The only time Henry was cross was when I made him come close for a selfie.

While they they played I lay back and relaxed. In addition to being completely at peace below the summit of my Mountain I was thrilled at the way the two of them were together. It was almost like they liked each other, but don't let them know I saw that.

We opted to head back the way we had come (rather than taking the trail down to Shadow Lake as we did the year before). We've become so familiar with this trail it was easy to keep going even when Clara's knee did start to hurt.

This was a big step for Clara. She was able to go beyond her injury for the first time in a long time and embrace adventure. She's been talking more and more about longer hikes so I hope this is just the beginning. We'll be focused on more of the same, finding hikes that overwhelm the pain and discomfort with the glory of nature.

And maybe in a couple of years we'll be looking at Mount Rainier from the Wonderland.