I was really looking forward to this hike, it's 40 switch backs and challenging because it seems steep.  Again, my buddy and I get to hike during the week vs. the weekend which gives us an opportunity for peace and quiet on the mountain.  This was a fairly uneventful hike (as in I didn't fall down this time) except when we stopped at one of the switch backs where there is a wood bench, we sat down and just took in the view.  All of a sudden this hawk came gliding by right in front of us….so quiet, so silent, just riding the wind current looking for a little something to eat.  It was breathtaking to be so close to this beautiful bird.  I just felt so incredibly lucky to be sitting there in that moment with my best friend experiencing the awesomeness of nature.  We made it to the top and thoroughly enjoyed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and some other fun snacks.  After a while a gentleman with his dog got up to the top as well and we had a marvelous conversation about how he came to have this dog.  She showed up on his property one day and he was worried about her getting attacked by coyotes at night so he let her in and basically she never left and now she's the best hiking dog ever!  I didn't realize how cool meeting this man was as Christina and I always wear a different handkerchief so we can tell which hike is which in our picture gallery, and this day we chose our dog bones and dog paws print!  This is the part of hiking that is the most satisfying, just getting to say hi and meet other hikers.  They are all so willing to exchange information and let you know what to expect when you're on your way up to a peak.  It was beautiful weather and when we finished we had a beer to celebrate another mountain in the bag!