From the comfort of my couch, it can be so easy to forget just how much I'm energized by time spent outdoors. Fall in particular is a challenging but important time for me to overcome my inertia and resist my temptation to spend the shorter, rainy days at home binge watching TV while plugging away at my current knitting project. I need as much time as possible out in the fiery beauty of fall, soaking in every falling leaf and newly emerged fungi before they all vanish for another year. So when two friends suggested in August that the three of us take a random Monday in October off work to go for a hike, I had to say yes. I was even prepared with a suggestion for the trail, Iron Goat to Wellington Ghost Town. I’d hiked the trail once before in October and remembered an easy hike along a spooky abandoned railroad corridor, framed by blazing maples.
Read moreLife: Week 38
Fall is my absolute favorite season for hiking. I know I've said it before, but right now it feels especially true. This year, it may be in part due to the fact that it took most of the summer for me to feel comfortable venturing much beyond my own backyard. As though the Cascades were conspiring to lure me back the their fir scented embrace, the condions this weekend were my absolute ideal for an early fall hike. Even the drive to meet my Alpine Trails Book Club friends at the trailhead was stunning, with low swirling clouds and vibrant fall color. I even surprised myself, managing to both hike all the full length of our roughly 6-8 mile hike (no one’s distance tracking device seemed to agree once we were back at the trailhead). Happily I also had plenty of time to pick enough of the tiny but oh-so-sweet alpine blueberries that lined the trail to fill the Nalgene bottle I brought specifically for that purpose. Those now wait in my freezer as a treat for those long winter days when I need a reminder of sunny days in the mountains.
Read moreLife: Week 34
After months of anticipation, I have finally tasted the first of my homegrown tomatoes! It started with just a couple each day (all of which I immediately ate) but by midweek, I was harvesting enough cherry tomatoes to make for a delicious pizza. Amazingly, my first tomato harvest wasn't even the high point of the week. I took a couple of much needed days off work, and with the opportunity to hike while avoiding weekend crowds, I met up with a friend to revisit the Dirty Harry's Balcony trail where Andy and I did trail work back in 2017. On a August weekend in a typical year, this hike would probably have felt entirely unremarkable, but this year is far from typical, allowing me to see the magic of the young forest. The fresh earthy scent of the trees energized me, and the soft bed of pine needles muted my steps as our small group climbed up the trail. I pointed out a few spots along the trail I remembered working on in 2017, excited to recognize them so easily. We took our time, hiking at an easy pace to save our breath for conversation, catching up on all that had changed in our lives since we'd last seen each other. It was a short outing, but also perfectly rejuvenating.
Read moreLife: Week 30
Among the many things I’ve missed during this pandemic, trails are top of the list. While there hasn't really been any point over all the various closures and stay-home orders that I haven’t had at least some option for hiking, I just haven't felt comfortable with the risk of being around the large numbers of other people likely to be out on my favorite trails. Thankfully, as time as passed and we've learned more about how Covid-19 is and isn't spread, the growing consensus seems to be that the risk of spreading the virus is reduced outdoors. Armed with that knowledge - and not one but two options for face coverings! - I finally felt comfortable joining a small group of my Alpine Trails Book Club friends for an absolutely glorious hike. We met up at Ebey's Landing, a trail I've hiked many times. After so much time away, it felt like I was seeing the trail with new eyes and the combination of sun, ocean breezes, flowers, and the company of some of my favorite people was just what I needed.
Read moreLife: The Past Year
Hello again! It's been far too long, and much has happened since my last post. Andy and I went on many hikes (which I hope to share here soon) spent at least one weekend at each of our family cabins, and most excitingly bought a house! Needless to say, the process of hunting for, buying, and moving into our first home became a rather all consuming process, so hopefully you'll forgive my disappearing act. Now, in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic I finally find myself with the time to come back to this space. After my long absence, I’m not sure there's anyone still out there reading this, but I hope that some of you will come back in time. I've missed you all.
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