Sunshine, glorious sunshine - a whole week of it! I remember writing a few weeks ago about my excitement over working with the windows open. This week, keeping the windows open at work became a necessity! Most afternoons, we even had to close the windows and switch on the air conditioning. It's been like a little taste of summer in Seattle!
Read moreOld Sauk River
Lately, many of my favorite hikes have been demanding trails that require high effort for the rewards of dramatic views or sparking jewel lakes. Then, along came the Old Sauk River trail, which asks very little, but gives so much tranquility and beauty in return. This is a trail that makes you slow down. Surrounded by the giant, moss covered trees, your eye is forced to the tiny details of the forest. When I hiked it on the first day of spring, those details were primarily budding leaves and blooming flowers.
Read moreLife: Week 12
This was a quiet week. I spent most of the week trying to get over my persistent cold (I think it's finally gone!) so I didn't do too much. By Saturday, I was feeling well enough for a long walk at the Redmond Watershed Preserve. Even though it's close by, I haven't been to the Watershed in nearly two years. The last time I was there, it was a sunny summer day. On the overcast, spring Saturday, the woods were damp and muddy, with trillium and young ferns poking up everywhere. For Easter, we had an early dinner with some of my family, and I made a strawberry rhubarb pie. It's been a while, but it was just as delicious as I remember!
Read moreLife: Week 11
After the power outage last week, I wound up getting my Monday breakfast from a favorite cafe near my office - a large chocolate chip cookie and cardamom latte. I definitely need more of that latte in my life, although I would prefer something a little less sugary and a little more hearty for breakfast next time. In other news, spring is officially here! Every morning now, the air smells like flowers and rain. It's so much better than any perfume I've ever found. In other, other news, my first cold of the year is here! I've gone from feeling almost recovered to feeling miserable at least twice now, so it seems like this one will be with me for a while. On Sunday, I felt well enough to make it to my first Alpine Trails book club meeting. We hiked the Old Sauk River, then sat on the mossy forest carpet to share snacks and discuss the book, Grandma Gatewood's Walk. All morning, the skies looked ominous, but we only had the occasional light sprinkling of rain. It was the perfect trail for the day, and I can't think of a better way to have spent the first day of spring!
Read moreSpring Fun
Spring is nearly here, and to me that means meadows filled with wildflowers, farmers markets packed with delicious seasonal produce, picnics, and pies. Once the weather starts to warm and the days grow longer, I get impatient for the mountain snow to magically disappear so I can hike to my hearts content. I dream of all the epic trails I'll be able to hike in just a few more months, then feel disappointed by the limited options accessible right now. Often, instead of getting outside and hiking where I can, I spend too much of the spring on my couch, knitting, reading, and binge-watching The Office for the thousandth time. By the time summer rolls around, I'm too out of shape for all the adventures I planned in the spring. This year, I'm determined to not let that happen.
Hike as much as possible while the wildflowers are blooming in the Cascades. Specifically, catch the bear grass on Bandera Mountain, the balsamroot on Teanaway Ridge, or the entire spectrum of wildflowers in Spray Park. I'd love to hear your recommendations for excellent wildflower trails too!
Bake my all-time-favorite: strawberry rhubarb pie!
Get out for a short, early-season backpacking trip to test out my new sleeping pad. Compared to my old 4' long self inflating pad, I think it will make a huge difference in how well I sleep when camping!
Go to the Farmer's Market at least once a month
Go for a picnic
Soak up the longer days by getting outside after work at least three days a week
Plan and host an afternoon tea
Forage for morels
Sign up for a trail work party with the Washington Trails Association. If I feel like being an overachiever, I might be able to earn my own hard hat by summer!
Read Tolkien in the Tolkien room at the Sylvia Beach Hotel
