Yesterday afternoon Joshy and the dogs and I drove to Issaquah to go hike up Tiger Mountain and watch his Muncle paraglide down. This swirly bike rack in downtown Issaquah caught my eye as we were driving by.

It was so hot yesterday that I couldn’t fathom wearing anything black on my body, so I wore Josh’s fun board shorts and my “I don’t do earth tones” tee-shirt. The shorts stayed nice and dry, but the tee-shirt was soaked with sweat by the time we reached the top of the mountain (two miles up, 1600-1900 feet elevation, depending on your source).

Awwww what a cute little trail sign. This was my first time at Tiger Mountain, Josh has been four or five times previously. Mike has gone paragliding there three times a week…for the last 20 years! He knew everyone.

We arrived a little earlier than Mike did, so we watched the other paragliders land. Bear Cub did NOT enjoy this part. She was shaking and quivering and panting (note how she’s out of this shot–trying to strain towards the car). Maggie was relaxed.

Some landings were very smooth; the tandem landings generally were not.

There were a lot of paragliders in the air yesterday.

It’s a wonder they don’t run into each other!

Mike’s paragliding pack weighed 37 pounds, so with that weight on him he was about as slow going up the mountain as I was. It took us about an hour going up, and an hour going back down (although the hike back down FLEW BY!). Mike found another paragliding “pal” to chat with on the way up. Mike talked the entire time.

Hallo, Mount Rainier!

I found a heart-shaped rock on the journey up, always a good omen.

Mike was telling us that hiking isn’t a “sport” because it doesn’t require a helmet. Uh huh. I was pouring sweat and my heart was pounding…that’s sporty enough for me! My lower body is KILLING today.

We didn’t bring enough water, we used up the Camelbak on our way up. Luckily Josh had filled an additional water bottle with ice and water for us and the dogs to drink on the way down.

Nearing the top. You can see Bear Cub is still poised to run back to the car at this point. Josh had to keep them on the leash the entire time!

Finally we made it!

What a beautiful view.

Mike and I both changed shirts. I wish I had brought a bandanna for mopping sweat off my face. Next time!

There was a small crowd of people when we arrived, around 5 pm. Mellow, though. Maggie and Bear Cub were the only dogs up top, and there were few children.

Mike and Josh taking in the scene.

A tandem pair taking off…

…and then overhead.

While Josh was helping his uncle get ready, I sat on some astroturf with the pets and took pictures. This dude took off right in front of me, and shot down the mountain incredibly fast!

Solo flier. Josh has been paragliding twice, both times tandem with someone else, once with Mike. I have, um, very little interest in paragliding myself. But it’s fun to watch!

Just thinking about paragliding makes my feet tingle. They call the take-off point “Poo Poo Point”–so named for the last-second shitting you do in fear before you fly off the mountain? Just my guess.

It’s Mike’s turn!

At this point I quit taking pictures, but I did make a signature Liz video (shaky) of Mike taking off. Check it out:

Excuse the panting and wind blowing. You understand.

What’s going on today? I was planning on a run, but my lower body aches in a myriad of ways thanks to yesterday’s hike, so….maybe a little yoga? A little painting? Yyyyyyeah.