Ok. Fine. It's a good thing. He's going to do great things at school. And he's not that far away. He could still come home for the occasional hike. And he's not even gone yet so we can still hike. At least one last time.

So it didn't matter that the weather was less than ideal. And it didn't matter that we'd been up to Chair Peak Basin a handful of times before. It didn't even matter that the thought of dropping him off at school and driving away made me irrationally sad.

I could tell the boy also wasn't completely at ease with this big life change. As we climbed, he paused and looked out more than usual. When we got to the snowfield, he was more introspective than goofy. He even shared his beefstick with Tinkham. (But not with me? Hmph.)

Whatever. It was a good hike. Just like it always has been. Just like it always will be. Maybe just not as often.

<sniff>

📍On the lands of the Snoqualmie people.