Overnight backpacking trip: Snow Lake and Gem Lake (Part Two)

As we approached Gem Lake the clouds started to roll in, within minutes the lake was completely fogged in. I am never as acutely aware of nature as when I am hiking. The dew on the plants leaves, the clouds passing by, the new growth on the trees these are the things which consume my thoughts.

Overnight backpacking trip: Snow Lake to Gem Lake (Part One)

On the weekends we like to get out of town, it needn't be far, just a forty minute drive right up into the mountains. Sometimes, especially in the Summer we turn our hiking trips into overnighter adventures. Backcountry camping means early mornings on the trail, spectacular star filled nighttime skies and a great reminder that we can survive and be completely content on far less. The weekend was perfection, well, until I was bit on my eyelid and the whole right side of my face started to swell and my eye was stuck shut....but that my friends is another story.

Transitioning to Fall

Summer is such a wonderful time of year in the Pacific Northwest, but Fall always finds a way to steal my heart. Even though we officially have a few more weeks of Summer, it is starting to feel more like Fall as children head back to school and temperatures start to cool. As you set out to make your Autumn plans might I suggest an apple picking trip, a glorious hike or a drive to do some leaf peeping.

Summer at Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier in August is magical. The wildflowers are in full bloom, the skies are typically bright blue, and the waterfalls add to all the wonder and amazement. The skies at Mt. Rainier are so dynamic. From one moment to the next Mt. Rainier might be out in its full glory or temporarily hidden by clouds.

Picking my way through Summer

This Summer we have been fortunate to spend a ton of time outdoors, in particular berry picking. We have been strawberry picking, raspberry picking, blackberry picking and now blueberry picking. For deliciousness factor my favorite berries to pick are raspberries, but I also appreciate the thoughtfulness of blackberries to be free and plentiful and the ease in which clusters of blueberries fall off the branches. Basically, I love all berries for different reasons.

What are your favorite berries to pick in the Summer?

Day Trip: Port Townsend

After Youth Conference was over, the youth packed onto the school buses and were homeward bound. Instead of heading home we jumped into our car and drove north from Fort Flagler to Port Townsend. Once we were there I could not get enough of the charming marina, in particular the adorable little yellow boat which was reflecting off the glass like water. One of the reasons we came to Port Townsend was I had read they have the best pizza in all of Washington. Being the pizza connoisseurs we are, we came to find out for ourselves.

Marrowstone

One late afternoon during our free time at Youth Conference we drove to the town of Marrowstone, WA, population 800. The clouds hung low, the water was calm and the town had such a great small town feel it made me wonder if I could be happy living in a place like this. One of the most delightful surprises was the general store had a swing on its front porch, oh how I heart swings!

Worth the drive

One day I realized all of our favorite day trips include fantastic places to eat. Here are a few of our favorite food day trips from Seattle.

Country Boys BBQ is our favorite thing about Cashmere, WA. We spend the day hiking in Leavenworth and then make the drive to Cashmere to eat.

Camping on the beach

There is something magical about camping on the beach. I think it is a combination of beautiful vistas, killer sunsets and a constant hum of waves crashing. Whenever I am camping on the beach, I think about how wonderful it would be to live on the coast.

Summer favorite: Hiking Granite Mountain

Hiking is just about my favorite activity on the planet. Add sunshine, blue skies and an array of wildflowers and I am pretty much in heaven. One sunny Saturday, we set out early on a hike up Granite Mountain. This eight mile (round trip) trail is pretty exposed once you come out of the trees after the first mile. The key to not overheating and being able to enjoy the trek up is to get an early start and bring lots of water.

Seattle in all its brilliance!

I have been perusing old photos for an upcoming project I am working on and ran across too many beautiful images I just had to share. Old photos feel like old friends, that being said let me introduce you to my friends. Sometimes I wonder why I don't spend more time printing my photographs out and hang them on the wall. Then I remember putting nails into our walls is like pushing a thumb tack into concrete- IMPOSSIBLE! So while I dream of having less temperamental walls, may you dream of long Summer Seattle days and nights.

Summer evenings

Especially when I witness a glorious sunset, I think about how people who have never been to Seattle think of it as grey, cloudy and rainy. If only they knew the beautiful side of Seattle, the spectacular sunsets and the endless colors in the sky. If they did then everyone would move here.

Where is your favorite spot to watch the sunset?

Summer must: Beach camping

Hole in the Wall in the distance

I love camping, in particular on the beach. All you have to be concerned about are your basic needs: food, fire, water and shelter. We spent time collecting driftwood to build our fire, rocks to create my rainbow and the majority of our days exploring tide pools and watching the tide roll in and out. Being outdoors anchors me, it makes me feel alive and connected to this beautiful planet. Cameron and I are able to connect in a way no five star hotel allows. In the simple moments of filtering water, making food or playing card games we bond. We forge memories and create traditions. My favorite part of our relationship is how we genuinely love spending time with one another and camping on the beach is the perfect backdrop to do so.

Snoqualmie Ice Cream Farm in Maltby, WA

As you walk up and down the aisles of a grocery store, it is hard to feel connected to your food. Questions like "what exactly is in this?"often run through my mind as I scan the ingredients on a package. When I was presented with the opportunity to take a tour of a local company's farm, Snoqualmie Ice Cream, I jumped at the opportunity. Before setting foot on their farm I was uncertain what expect, I knew they created delicious locally made ice cream, but I did not know a lot more than that.

Strawberry towers which prevent mold and mildew from growing on the berries.

Sponsored giveaway: Savor Food tour at Pike Place Market

One sunny Saturday morning, we met our group at the Market Theatre to begin our Savor Food tour of Pike Place Market. Although I have been to Pike Place Market numerous times before, I was excited to see what new things I might learn about the market and what new foods I might try. Our tour commenced with a little history of the market and then onto our first stop was Daily Dozen. There is nothing quite like a hot, fresh donut smothered in cinnamon and sugar to get your day off to a good start.

Strawberry Picking at Harvold's

Harvold's has been my family's long time favorite place for berry picking. Unlike many farms, they forgo the additional merchandise and instead focus solely on the berries and their quality. I remember learning how to pick berries at a very young age and eating more than my fair share of those berries while in the field. Amazingly enough, this was Cameron's very first time ever picking berries. Despite the soaring temperatures, he was driven and focus, with his head down picking I knew he meant business.

A happy discovery: Arboretum Plant Sale

My friend and I met up for a picnic last week at the Arboretum. We both had not been there in an embarrassing long time and after a wonderful afternoon we both left wondering why this was the case. After our picnic lunch we stumbled upon a plant sale and each ended up making our way home with a plant in hand. According to the women working the sale they are open each Wednesday and the second Saturday for business. Members of the Arboretum Foundation donate plants and then they spruce them up and sell them. All proceeds from the plant sales benefit the park and their prices are incredibly low. Talk about a win/win for everyone!! There will definitely be more picnics and plant sales in my future at the Arboretum. 

A walk in the woods

Nothing grounds me more nor alters my mood faster than some quality time outdoors. Whether it be a butt burning hike, a walk in the woods, a paddle on the sound or a sunset stroll through the park. I have found spending time outdoors is essential to my physical and mental well being. If you have not taken some time for yourself lately, might I suggest lacing up your shoes and setting out for some natural scenery.

First Father's Day

Holidays can feel bittersweet to lots of people for many reasons. It was not until we lost our son, Asher, that I finally understood how this could be the case. When we had the chance to head out of town to celebrate our anniversary and Cameron's first Father's Day we jumped at the opportunity. At times, particularly celebratory times for the rest of the world our hearts feel heavy. Getting away from the monotony of everyday life is always rejuvenating. Our time spent away allows us to focus on all the good in our lives, especially the love we have for each other and the wonderful life we lead.

The perfect weekend getaway: Alderbrook

In honor of our wedding anniversary and Cameron's first Father's Day we spent a lovely weekend at Alderbrook on the Hood Canal. We had never been here before and it was the perfect combination of relaxation and fun. We kayaked along the Hood canal picking out which home we would want to escape to, spent our evenings watching the sunset, hiked through mossy woodlands and enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors. Even though the resort was at capacity, it never felt overcrowded or too busy.

Do you have a favorite weekend getaway or go to spot which makes you feel rejuvenated?