My daughter and I have done a December hike for the past 6 years when she comes back to the PNW for the holidays. We were looking for something that didn’t require too much driving and didn’t take us too high into the clouds, and Lake Annette filled the bill. This is a popular enough spot so there is a well established boot track, no snow shoes required…..my studded trail runners and her microspikes did the trick. But beyond this, the Lake Annette hike has a more special meaning for me. The first time I did this hike I was 29 Y/O and took my then 60 Y/O mother, who was visiting me from across the country. I remember teasing her a bit, telling her at one point when we were negotiating the bouldery trail across one of the avalanche chutes, “Come on Ma, you look like an old lady.” She was quite active at that age so I was allowed, after all I’m the favorite son. The second time I did the hike I took my visiting 12 Y/O niece; that was 24 years ago. Lots of flies. And today I went with my daughter. After we got back to the vehicle I wanted to get some longer exposures of the creek, so I grabbed my tripod and put on the ND filter. It was just a “hop, skip and a jump” (one of my mother’s sayings) to the creek, but the short trail was a little steep and icy. My daughter had taken off her microspikes. On the way back, she was having a hard time not sliding on the ice, so I offered my hand for stability. I know I was sporting a wry smile when I said, “Come on Cassie, you look like an old lady.” Happy New Year!