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: Week 29
Summer is in full swing in our backyard. So far, kale has been the most reliable crop I planted in the raised beds Andy built for me. On more than one occasion since early June, I would have gone so far as to say we were drowning in the stuff. After months of waiting, I’ve finally pulled up the first carrots and one little onion. The carrots may be delightfully deformed, but they're also delicious! I’ve also been watching my tomatoes like a hawk, checking every day for progress toward my first homegrown tomato. I’m feeling especially protective of my tomatoes as the deer that wander through our yard almost daily have repeatedly nibbled at my precious plants. Thankfully Andy designed some ingenious row covers to keep the deer, birds, rabbits, and really anything other than me and maybe the slugs from eating the contents of our raised beds. A good thing too, since I was nearly ready to drag a sleeping bag out between the beds to keep the deer away!
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.
Read moreLife: Week 25-26
After weeks of non-stop busyness, Andy and I spent two laid back weeks in a row doing not much other than relaxing at home. Not to say that all the various plans we've had over the last month or so haven't been fun, but after so much running around, we both needed some time to recover! Another positive shift recently - after weeks of what felt like a perpetual premature summer, just in time for the official start of the season we've finally had a handful of overcast, rainy days. It’s given me hope for a milder summer to come!
Read moreLife: Week 24
Last summer, at one of the several WTA work parties we participated in, we heard rumors of something wonderful at Mt Rainier. You see, WTA partners with the national park on trail maintenance, and last summer they were focused on the Longmire area of the park. The reason everyone we talked to was excited about this is a not-so-secret secret: the Longmire Stewardship Campground. This quiet, mossy campground is available only to volunteers, and for the low cost of one day of volunteering, you get free park entry along with up to two nights camping in this magical spot! When WTA started up their 2019 trail work season in the park early in June, I was overjoyed to see that they'd be operating out of Longmire again, and immediately signed both Andy and myself up for the first weekend we had free. I am happy to report that that Longmire Volunteer Campground fully lived up to the hype. It was a weekend of hard, dirty work in the hot sun and it was one filled with laughter, new friends, and plenty of post-trail work relaxation, and Andy and I are already plotting our return!
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