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Life: Week 24

June 22, 2017 Laura Norsen
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We had an adventure of a week! Our weekdays were mostly quiet and sunny, but I had grand plans for the weekend. I wanted to get out for at least one backpacking trip this spring, and with the summer solstice fast approaching, this weekend was it. During the week, our evenings were spent sorting through our gear and getting everything packed an ready for a early start on Saturday. For the first trip of the year, especially with so much snow lingering in the mountains, we decided to stick to a familiar lowland area - Blanchard Mountain. We've hiked the trail to Lily & Lizard Lakes twice, and knew it was a placed we wanted to camp. 

We had a lovely time Saturday, getting an early start so we had plenty plenty of time to relax and explore. We spent the evening sharing a campfire with a couple and solo hiker camping near us at Lizard Lake, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows and swapping stories. The excitement didn't start until late that night

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In life, 2017, week 24 Tags camping, backpacking, bellingham, lakes
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Life: Week 23

June 12, 2017 Laura Norsen
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Washington has a bad reputation for being perpetually rainy, but all that rain keeps our lush green forests happy! I often take our forests for granted, and have even been known to complain about hiking through the "boring trees." Every so often, I'm reminded just how lovely a quiet walk in the woods can be, and hiking to and from our work site for another trail work party with the Washington Trails Association on Saturday gave me the reminder I needed. The phenomenal views from a viewpoint the crew leader shared with the group certainly didn't hurt either! Since the trail we spent the day working is currently closed while new and improved trails to the summit are being built, we had the view all to ourselves, unheard of for any trail off I-90.  Once again, we had a great time, mostly digging holes then filling them up again and getting filthy in the process. 

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In life, 2017, week 23 Tags spring, trail work, books
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Life: Week 22

June 11, 2017 Laura Norsen
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While there's still piles of snow in the mountains, it's feeling a lot more like summer around Puget Sound. The days are long and sun filled, and spring blooms have begun to fade into berries and leafy canopies of green. One a walk this week, we found the first ripe salmonberries of the year. I've never liked salmonberries, but as a sign of all the berries to follow, they were certainly a happy sight! I've always loved the Powerline Trail at this time of year, when the grass and brambles lining the path are well into their spring growth spurt, shooting up and out in a riot of green. Soon, the city will come through for their mowing and pruning, but for now there are places where the grass is taller than me (not a challenge at my height!) giving the trail the feel of a wild suburban jungle.

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In life, 2017, week 22 Tags spring, powerline trail
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Life: Week 21

June 1, 2017 Laura Norsen
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We had a glimpse of summer just in time for Memorial Day this year! The week was filled with sunshine, and by the weekend it was uncomfortably hot. Signs of the approaching season abound - daylight is lingering well into the evening and soon there will be berries lining the lowland trails and filling the farmers market! Rather than suffer through holiday weekend crowds and traffic, Andy and I spent the weekend close to home. On Saturday, we made our first trip of the year to the Redmond Farmers Market, where we picked up an impressive amount of spring produce along with a pile of my favorite spring flowers - peonies! Afterward, we drove into Kirkland to investigate some of the new businesses I'd been wanting to try.

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In 2017, life, week 21 Tags spring, powerline trail, farmers market
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Boulder River

May 30, 2017 Laura Norsen

I find shady riverside trails are always at their best on a sunny day, but they're even better with good company and good conversation. On the Saturday our group met for the May Alpine Trails Book Club hike, we lucked out and had both! Arriving at the popular trailhead at 9 AM, we were surprised to find the parking relatively uncrowded. It might have been a clear, dry morning, but signs of our wet spring were all around. Towering boulders that rimmed the trail were decorated with dripping moss and ferns and the dew drenched trail glittered in the morning sun. 

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In hiking Tags alpine trails book club, rivers, spring, waterfalls
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About me

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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

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