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Life: Week 45

November 17, 2016 Laura Norsen
A still life of pre-election optimism. That bottle of champagne remains unopened. The bourbon is long gone.

A still life of pre-election optimism. That bottle of champagne remains unopened. The bourbon is long gone.

This was a tough week. It was a struggle to resist my urge to burrow into a little nest on my couch and not leave. After a few days of being a complete homebody, I did manage to get outside for one short walk which helped give me some much needed perspective. On that walk, I remembered that while I cannot personally control the outcome of  national elections, there are things I can do that make a difference. I can continue to volunteer my time to aid organizations fighting to protect wilderness and trails. I can contribute to organizations that provide assistance to those less fortunate than me. To keep myself motivated and inspired, I can continue to get outside as often as time permits. Whether it takes the form of short walks in the neighborhood or long hikes in the mountains and along the coast, time outdoors restores me. I hope that my efforts, and the efforts of others like me, are enough to protect these restorative places. I think we're all going to need an escape over the years to come!

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In life, 2016, week 45
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Life: Week 44

November 9, 2016 Laura Norsen
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I'm still in shock over the results of the election yesterday, but I can talk about that later. For now, I'd like to share the wonderful week I just spent with my family and try to focus on how lucky I am to have so many positive things in my life.

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In life, 2016, week 44 Tags travel, fall, life, cabin, vashon, california
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Life: Week 43

November 2, 2016 Laura Norsen
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This was a whirlwind of a week! At home, the nights are getting darker, which we've been combating with lots of candles. By Thursday, well before dawn, I was on a flight bound for California for a business trip. After two busy days in Sacramento, and  a busy week leading up to the trip, Friday night I caught a train to the Bay Area where Andy was waiting for me for a much needed visit with his sister and her family. We hadn't seen them since April, and especially with a new nephew to meet, I was overjoyed that work provided the perfect excuse for a visit!

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In life, 2016, week 43 Tags travel, fall, books
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Life: Week 42

October 25, 2016 Laura Norsen
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Last week I was sick, so naturally this week was Andy's turn. After a dark, rainy week, I was a little disappointed to spend the beautiful, sunny Saturday at home, but I did manage to make significant progress on my Christmas knitting. Thankfully by Sunday he was feeling well enough for a trip to the family cabin in the mountains to gather some wood to feed his latest addiction: woodworking. While he was busy sawing and chopping, I spent a few hours wandering the woods surrounding the cabin. One of my favorite things about Washington is that you can see dramatic changes in scenery with just a short drive. The ponderosa pine woods around the cabin are so different from the dense, mossy forests around home. Being in those woods reminds me of happy memories of childhood trips to Lake Almanor in California, where we used to spend at least a week every summer. 

In other news, I finally managed to get some photos of Andy wearing the sweater I finished for him over the summer. I'm so happy with how it turned out, and I think he'll get a lot of wear out of it! Like the last Brooklyn Tweed pattern I used, this one was easy to follow and absolutely beautifully designed. Once I've finished all my Christmas projects, a new Brooklyn Tweed sweater is next on the to-knit list for me!

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In life, 2016, week 42 Tags fall, knitting
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Snow Lake - Gem Lake - Wildcat Lakes

October 19, 2016 Laura Norsen

On this cold, dark, autumn day, the trip Andy and I took on one of the hottest weekends of the summer seems forever ago. Normally, I plan all our hikes obsessively, especially overnight ones, checking weather forecasts daily for the week leading up the trip. Somehow I managed to avoid reading a single forecast in preparation for this trip, but I'm glad I did! If I'd known how hot it would be, we never would have gone, and even with all the extreme crowds, dust, and heat, it was such a rewarding trip!

I realized on the drive from home that I'd forgotten my paper topo map, but knew the trail was well marked to Gem Lake, and figured we could find our way based on the WTA description from there. I didn't want to turn back and delay our early start - an absolute necessity for the Snow Lake trail on a hot summer day. By the time we reached the ridge above Snow Lake, the sun was high above us, and the heat and sun were almost inescapable! Thankfully there was a little more in the way of shade as we skirted around Snow Lake, but as we began the climb up to Gem Lake, we were once again roasting. We took our time climbing to Gem Lake, taking water breaks any time there was a good patch of shade. Gem Lake was absolutely worth the climb, and we stopped for a leisurely lunch to admire the view. By the time we'd finished eating and refilling our water bottles, it was already 3:00, and according to the mileage listed on the WTA description, we were still 3.3 miles from our final destination for the night!

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In hiking, 2016 Tags summer, lakes, hiking, backpacking, camping
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About me

51174846_588023631765_48341394514771968_n.jpg

Hi there! I'm Laura, and I'm an alpine addict. When I'm not out on the trail, I'm most likely at home snuggled up with my cat and a good book.



latest instagram

Even the avalanche lilies can't help staring at lovely Lady Tahoma!
Think cold thoughts... 🌨️🌬️❄️ 108° outside and 91° inside my house has me dreaming of foggy alpine lakes, icy glacial waterfalls, and snowy lowland  paths. #melting #pnw #summer #sheexplores #washington #vscocam
Perks of volunteering with @washingtontrails - sometimes you get a view like this just above where you parked your car. Plus there are candy breaks! #nationaltrailsday
Weeding isn't so bad with such good company! Moments later, this little guy paused to rest on my hand. #inmygarden #pnw #pnwlife
Quintessential Puget Sound view 😍
This place is always lovely, but this time of year is when it truly shines. I feel like I say this about every season, but spring is my favorite!
I accidentally wrote a poem on today's #alpinetrailsbookclub hike. Trees, moss stumps, ferns, rocks, muck, and rain, rain, rain.

It was a soggy one, but lovely nonetheless.
Trees festooned in green, even in the dead of winter. 💚
The spooky vibe of the trails around the summit of Squak Mountain speaks to the dark & spooky part of my soul. 🖤 Also, this short (cold, rainy, super hygge) hike with a wonderful friend was exactly what I needed to kick myself out of my 2020 glo
I wonder - are they called licorice ferns because they taste of licorice? Important questions.

latest hikes

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Iron Goat - Wellington Ghost Town
Oct 25, 2021
Iron Goat - Wellington Ghost Town
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Lime Kiln State Park
Jul 1, 2019
Lime Kiln State Park
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Jul 1, 2019
Lime Kiln
Jun 16, 2019
Lime Kiln
Jun 16, 2019
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blogs i read
 

alpine lily
pacific northwest seasons
trail snail
a day without rain
happiest outdoors
every two pines
smitten kitchen
my name is yeh
posie gets cozy
hei astrid
deep red blues

590 Tahoe Keys Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150