Blog
Winter Sunsets set my heart aglow!
I absolutely love winter sunsets–and there’s no better place to experience them than at the ocean. Now, naturally some of the finest sunsets that I have witnessed have been along the Pacific Ocean–particularly at Olympic National Park. Pick a dry spell at this rainy coast and be delighted with a fiery red horizon come late…
Read MoreHere Comes the Sun
Do you celebrate the Winter Solstice? Most folks who partake in the more secular aspects of the Christmas season in essence do celebrate the Solstice in one way or another. For me, this time of year is usually a deeply reflective time. In fact, when the Solstice arrives with its promise of more daylight each…
Read MoreSugar Maples and Joshua Trees–On the Trail in 2013
I love this time of the year. The short days and long nights of the Winter Solstice prompting me to slow down, recharge, reflect, and relax. The spiritual and joyous nature of Christmas instilling in me hope, renewal and an appreciation of family, friends and blessings. And the excitement of the New Year allowing me to…
Read MoreMerry Christmas Bird Count!
There was a great front page story today in my local newspaper, the Skagit Valley Herald on the upcoming Christmas Bird Counts in the county. Skagit County is one of the best places in Washington state for bird watching and this region is known for its thousands of wintering snow geese, trumpeter and tundra swans,…
Read MoreSave the Whistler Canyon Trailhead!
The Whistler Canyon Trail (Hike no. 2 in my Day Hiking Eastern Washington book) is a gem. Located just south of Oroville, this Okanogan River Valley Trail is part of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. One of the best places in the state to see California bighorn sheep, this trail also offers stunning valley…
Read MoreOf Swans, snow geese, and eagles
I absolutely love this time of year in the Skagit Valley. While western Washington lacks the distinct hard seasonal changes that I loved back east–the seasonal changes here are measured differently-and they are distinct. Winter begins in November with the arrival of tens of thousands of wintering snow geese and trumpeter and tundra swans. A…
Read MoreI love the Cold! It brings warmth to my heart!
Well, here we go again with another sub-freezing blast for Western Washington. I love it! Why you ask as many of my fellow Northwesterners are hunkered down in their toasty homes? Nostalgia for one. While I have been living in Western Washington for 24 years now, I still miss my native New England from time…
Read MoreWhat an October!
Last week was the first week since May that I did not head off for a 2-4 day trip to research trails for writing and mapping projects. While I welcome the reprieve over the next few months from constantly being-on-the-go, I must admit that I am going through hiking withdrawals. Yes, I have lots of…
Read MoreWagonwheel Lake-You’ll bust an axle on this one!
I recently returned to the Staircase Area of Olympic National Park to tackle (actually track for a new Green Trails Map) one of area’s steepest trails-Wagonwheel Lake. The sign at the trailhead warns that you’ll climb 3,200 feet in 2.9 miles. Which isn’t entirely true as the first .4 mile you’ll gain only 200 feet and…
Read MorePaddling the Hanford Reach
On May 19, 2013, I along with Jordan Youngs of the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau, and a couple of happy paddlers from Seattle set out with two guides from Columbia Kayak Adventures for an amazing kayak trip down the Columbia River at the Hanford Reach National Monument. I have hiked the White Bluffs of the Hanford Reach…
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