Another pass through CB and what beckons beyond

 One of the prettiest areas near WK1 is also home to that aforementioned super touristy town.  But, once you get past the town, it is still gorgeous and worth exploring!  So, once again, Zou and I set out for CB - gonna do a short hike and a loop drive...

 First, we had to stop and help defeat the dragon (actually, knowing us, we'd be on the dragon's side!!)...

 And while I'm not keen on the culture or overcrowded popularity of this town, I do like some of the buildings...

 and their landscaping.

 So, is this straight out of Better Homes and Gardens or what?! 

 And on up the road, through MCB, and on to where the asphalt meets the dirt.  S. Pass Rd, through G.

 Fields of flowers, rugged mountains - what's not to love?!

 Getting into the good stuff...

 Our first stop was for a short hike that I'd done before but that was new to The Zou.  Much of the trail was kind of dry (and hot!), but parts were pretty and green and loaded with these cow parsnips.

 Zou leads the way...

Having reached our landmark (a smallish waterfall kind of off in the distance), Zou takes a shady break.

The view down into the valley.
Green is such a pretty color...

 But the day was a little too warm for our tastes, for hiking...

So, after our little hike to J. Falls, it's time for a cool-down!

 Turns out this is also a good opportunity to chase sticks - AND learn about deep(-er) water...

Go get it Zou!
Ummm....  Hesitation...

and excitement on the sidelines...

but no commitment to enter the deeper water channel...not just yet -
the stick that got away...

But this here stick...is MINE!! (if I can get my mouth around it, that is...!)

 Ugh, Mom keeps throwing these incredible sticks "way out there!"  Boy, do I want that stick...!!!

Got it!!!


Woo-hoo!  Mine!!!  I can do it!  I can do the "deep" water!  And I LOVE fetching sticks (I never give them back - if I can help it - but I LOVE stealing them!!)

 After a quick toweling off, Zou gets loaded into the truck and we continue on S. Pass Rd...

 A must-do detour at the very pretty E. Lake...

And Zou is off and running...

Some more stick-throwing gets Zouey into the lake.

ooo, cold and wet!

But worth going back into!  Gotta get that stick!
Now where did it go...?

 On the loose...

Returning to the main road once again, we head up to the P. Divide.

 An idyllic pond greets us at the top.

Dropping down towards the S.R. Rd.  What a landscape, eh?

Looking back towards the divide.

So pretty.

Love the loops.

 Hey!  How come you're doing it the hard way?  You could just ride up in a truck, you know!?!

Almost down to the 180 bend in the road.

Looking back up the way we came.

What beautiful countryside.

A "private lake..."  Well, at least us non-owner folks can still at least drive by (and take photos of) it!

Dog is my co-pilot!

Speed demon.  Fast Air Fiend.  Always on the hunt for cows, deer, and squirrels!

 Back on the paved roads, and heading towards WK1,...

A tire swing...
Makes you want to stop for a bit, doesn't it?