It’s always fun when your birthday falls on a weekend, because you can celebrate the entire weekend. Add to that my dad and his girlfriend, R, coming down to visit, and it was especially fun! The weekend centered around three main things: food, hiking, and card games. Things started off Friday morning when I met up with Kim for a run. She surprised me with a strawberry pound cake, and it was delicious! I ended up with two cakes for my birthday weekend – the one from Kim and a strawberry angel food cake from the grocery store.
My dad and his girlfriend got down here on Friday evening and we had homemade shrimp tacos for dinner – one of my favorites. On Saturday we went hiking to the Cascades (a 77 foot waterfall). Unfortunately, Barry had to work this weekend, so he couldn’t join in on the festivities during the day. We had a great day for hiking, though, and the Cascades were as gorgeous as ever (Richard, I posted a video on Instagram!).
After our hike we spent some time running around doing a few things before meeting up with Barry at the house. We played a few rounds of Dutch Blitz and a fun dice/card game called Deer in Headlights. Then we headed out for a birthday dinner at MK’s Pizzeria (I had a create-your-own Greek pizza!), followed by some birthday cake back at home.
Sunday morning was low key. My dad made French toast out of some local brown sugar cinnamon sourdough bread. Then, on a whim, I decided we should go check out a place nearby I had heard of called Dismal Falls. Like the Cascades, it is also part of the Jefferson National Forest. It was a very short hike down to Dismal Creek from the parking area, where we got to enjoy some nice views of the 33 foot falls. It would be a great place to go for a swim and I’ll have to take Barry there sometime!
After that it was time to say goodbye to my Dad and R, as they headed home in the early afternoon. I spent some time doing a few things around the house and then snuck in a short run before Barry got home from work. Hank and Scout completely crashed after our guests left. They are so funny. They just get so tired anytime we have visitors and anytime we go somewhere.
As Hank and Scout were recovering, Barry got home from work. We had a hodgepodge dinner of leftovers and some birthday cake, and then capped off the evening with a game of Gin Rummy. Not a bad birthday weekend, if I do say so myself!
Have you ever played Dutch Blitz or Deer in the Headlights?
What is your favorite birthday treat?
P.S. Speaking of hiking – Scott Jurek captured the Appalachian Trail speed record yesterday. He covered the nearly 2,200 miles in just 46 days!
Turkey Runner 
Had a great time this weekend. Even the long trip home on US 11 (due to two different accidents closing I-81) was enjoyable. Sure was glad I had a Page County native with me to help get through the back roads.
LUD.
Glad the long trip home was still enjoyable!
Happy Belated Birthday! Your cakes look delicious. I am a chocolate fanatic, so my favorite birthday treat is a chocolate cake with dark chocolate icing. My hubby has made it for me the past 2 years, and it’s to die for!
What a nice guy 🙂 I hope he makes it for you again this year!
Happy belated bday!! Wow that video is awesome, we don’t have waterfalls near the city so this is a great treat. Always enjoy seeing nature that other runners get to enjoy. Two awesome running accomplishments this weekend, Scott Jurek was amazing and Killian destroyed Hardrock…so cool.
I’m glad you liked the video! So much awesomeness going on in the ultra world this past weekend!
Happy Birthday!
The treats looks yummy. A birthday weekend is very nice and hiking is great. I miss hiking, I haven’t gone once this summer :0(
Your dogs are too cute.
You should make a goal to go hiking at least once before the summer is over!
I saw that Scott Jurek broke the record–wow! I think I might order some Dutch Blitz cards because it sounds fun when you talk about it, and I’m Dutch! 🙂 Glad you had a great birthday weekend! Happy birthday!
I think you should do that! 🙂
Sounds like an awesome weekend! Hope you had a happy birthday!Looks like you did. 🙂 I think Dismal falls is on the AT, isn’t it?
I did, thank you. 🙂 Dismal Falls is kind of on the AT. They have to take a short branch trail to get to it, but it’s not too far. There were actually three AT hikers sitting on the other side of the falls when we were there, but we didn’t get to talk to them.
Happy belated birthday!!! I love when birthdays fall on weekends because it just gives you more time to celebrate! Haha I love that hank and scout just pass out after guests – being entertaining and wanting all the attention can be exhausting 😛
Thank you! You are so true – it is very exhausting to have to be entertaining all weekend and compete for all of the attention! Hah.
Happy belated birthday! Sounds like a fun one, especially the outdoor falls and hikes. Dismal falls doesn’t look dismal at all!
Thanks! I think they named it Dismal Falls to trick people and keep them from going there 😉
It sounds like you had a great birthday weekend except for Barry having to work during the day. It’s great that your dad and his girlfriend were able to help you celebrate!
It was a fun one!