Smith Rock

 One of the highlights from our trip to Bend was our hike to the top of Smith Rock.  Actually the trail we took was called Misery Ridge if that gives you a small clue on the difficulty of the hike.  Add to it the fact that Marty carried Benjamin on his shoulders for 7/8 of the trip and Josie did the ENTIRE thing with only a bit of complaining as we were heading up the last hill to get back to our car.  Given all of that you'd think we were would've been crazy to attempt this as our first hike as a family of four.  But I don't think any of us really thought we would do it until we were very close to the top and by that point we figured that we might as well keep going.  In fact, when we arrived Franziska and Josie pointed to the top and said "are we going up there" and both Marty and I said, No!  Of course not.  Are you crazy.  But crazy we were and very happy to have achieved it.
The view at the top was breathtaking!

A look back at Franziska at about 1/3 of the way to the top.

 Smith Rock is world famous for its rock climbing.  It was so fun and really awe-inspiring to see the men and women climbing up different parts of the rock formations.  This particular one is called "Monkey Face" because it looks a bit like the profile of a monkey.  If you look closely you can see people climbing up the side.
 One of the many stops for food or water... or to take off or put on a jacket.

Thankfully Benjamin wanted to walk some of the time giving Marty a break from carrying the 30+ pounder on his shoulders. 

Josie was truly amazing.  She ran/walked the entire 4 mile loop which had an elevation gain of over 1,000 ft.  

 A bit tired but still going... nearing the end of the hike.

 And everyone in the back seat was out within minutes of our return to the car.  It was the first real hike for Benjamin and Franziska.  Josie has been on a couple before but was always carried in a backpack until this one.