I went to Portland to buy some doodads

Last week, Melissa invited me on a girls' trip to Portland. The purpose was to buy a discounted Garmin and avoid sales tax, and although that fell through, we still had a great time.

Revisiting Twin Falls

We've been lucky to have really mild weather this winter, so Matt and I decided to take advantage and go for a hike. He's been out of commission for hard workouts because he's getting a tattoo and can't sweat while it's healing, so we decided to revisit an easy hike we knew had good views.

Ancient Cedars Trail, Whistler, BC

The day after hiking the High Note Trail, we planned to find an easy hike. We weren't going to let a little rain stop us; in fact, it helped us choose the perfect hike, because we were looking for something with tree coverage.

The Ancient Cedars Trail is a fairly easy 3-mile hike that terminates in a gorgeous grove of...ancient cedars. There are benches and sign posts in the grove so you can sit and enjoy the view and learn about the trees. This is my favorite kind of hike, and I was so happy we did it!

Hiking High Note Trail in Whistler, BC

We planned our second trip to Whistler specifically to do a hike on Whistler Mountain, which we couldn't do with Zoe. Matt had his eye on the High Note Trail because he'd heard the view was really good, so that's what we did!

Annette Lake Trail

Matt and I had an unexpected long weekend together, and of course, that means hiking! I had already told my friend Melissa I was up for a hike, so it ended up being the three of us. I had run long the day before and my legs were toast, so I wanted something not-too-challenging but that would still be entertaining for Matt, who seems to want to tackle harder hikes each time.

Keekwulee Falls

In early August I had a special guest in town! An old colleague and friend from my teaching days was in Seattle with her son, and we made some time to see each other. Angela and Michael wanted to go on a hike, particularly one that didn't require hiking boots or poles. I sent them a few options, and they chose Keekwulee Falls.

Heather Lake Trail

I've been struggling with my energy, but I promised Matt we could hike on Sunday. His suggestions were daunting, so I came up with a few ideas, and we ended up deciding on Heather Lake. It was a tougher hike than I'd expected, but totally worth it.

Train Wreck Trail (Whistler, BC)

After our difficult hike at Brandywine Meadows, Matt and I were planning an easy day of gondola rides and the spa, but Zoe had other plans. (Namely, refusing to be left alone in the hotel.) So, we decided to find an easy hike. We ended up at Train Wreck Trail, and I'm glad we saw it! This spot is more about sightseeing than hiking, but we continued along the trail for a bit after the titular train wreck, which made this feel a bit more hikey than walky.

The wreck is very cool. The abandoned cars have become a favorite of graffiti artists, and whatever trail organization oversees it has leaned into that, making the graffiti part of the draw.

Brandywine Meadows Trail (Whistler, BC)

Matt and I recently had our 15th wedding anniversary and decided to take a trip to Whistler to celebrate. We're not snow-sport people, so Whistler in the summer felt much more our speed. We intended to hike, enjoy the spa, and indulge in some great food.

We took Zoe along, which did curtail some of our plans—no worries, we'll be back in September to get the rest of our Whistler to-do list done—but we did manage a couple fun hikes! This is the first of the two.

The Woody Trail at Wallace Falls State Park

Another gorgeous weekend, another opportunity for a hike! Last weekend we set out for Wallace Falls; I assumed it would be pretty easy, because after running my first 6-miler of training I insisted on it. I was wrong.

Lake Twenty Two Trail

I had Thursday and Friday off work last week, so for once we planned ahead! When I told a few friends we were hiking the "Lake Twenty Two Trail", I was surprised by how many people said it was their favorite. I expected such a generically named trail to be relatively unknown and unremarkable. 

I was wrong!

Cherry Creek Falls Trail

This has been a rainy early-spring, but last weekend we got lucky with sun on a Saturday when Matt wasn't working. That's a rare occurrence these days, so we took advantage of the weather and found a near-ish hike with a good waterfall at the end.

Rosario Head Trail: Lighthouse and Lottie Point (Deception Pass)

This winter has been relatively dry and sunny, which has allowed Matt and me to try this new-to-us thing called "hiking year round." The last two weeks have been cold (like, 30°s kind of cold) but so incredibly sunny and cloudless that staying inside almost feels illegal.

Our latest winter hike took us to Deception Pass. Matt has paddled there before, but I've never been. We chose this particular hike because my thighs were comically sore from squats the previous day, and I agreed to a hike only if the elevation was extremely moderate.

Canyon Trail to Waipo'o Falls Hike

Despite feeling totally wiped out after hiking to Hanakāpī’ai Falls, Matt and I both agreed we couldn't spend nine days in Kaua'i and only do one measly hike. For our next one, I chose Canyon Trail to Waipo'o Falls because it was short and the elevation didn't seem too overwhelming.

Joke's on me. This little trail was steep.

Napali Coast hike: Kalalau Trail to Hanakāpī’ai Falls

On the third day of our trip (October 16), Matt and I hiked to Hanakāpī’ai Falls. This hike is part of the Kalalau Trail, which is an 11-mile out-and-back along the Nāpali Coast. Matt had his heart set on this hike, but I'd heard from friends that it was extremely difficult, so I was nervous. I tend to tap out around 7 miles, and the waterfall hike was 8 (according to Matt...remember that).

I decided it was doable. We could always turn back early if we wanted to! And man, I can't lie: it was rough, but I'm really glad we went.

Kelly Butte Trail #1031

My favorite kinds of hikes are long, easy walks through the woods. I like to be surrounded by trees, covered in shade, and barely breaking a sweat.

Last Saturday's hike delivered none of those things, but it was still pretty stellar.

Lime Kiln Trail

Over the last week or two, we've seen the return of fall weather. Cool, crisp mornings. Drizzle. Earlier sunsets. I love everything about it.

While Matt took a trip to Canada for a paddle race, I decided to seek some fall foliage with Melissa. We headed out for Lime Kiln Trail, a long but easy hike in Granite Falls.

What's 16 years in the grand scheme of things, anyway?

I am totally that aging millennial who can't do math and thinks 2004 was 10 years ago, but the truth is, my 20th high school reunion was this year. I graduated college 16 years ago, and it's been since then that I've seen my old college roommate, Lauren, in person. 

Lauren and I drifted apart after college but reconnected because social media actually has some uses beyond filling me with existential dread. Last summer, she went on an Alaskan cruise out of Seattle and wanted to make it a point to come back and spend time here, because even the drive from SeaTac to the port is awe-inspiring. After going back and forth on dates, she planned her trip for Labor Day weekend.

Warning: lots of selfies ahead!

Hiking Summit Lake Trail

For Matt's birthday this year, he asked for a baseball game and a hike. The baseball game was easy; there was even a drone show after, so it felt extra special. Scott, Robby, and our friend Mason joined us.

The hike was harder, of course. Matt chose three hikes he's been wanting to do for awhile and was kind enough to let me choose the winner. I chose the easiest of the three: Summit Lake Trail near Rainier.

Hood River hikes

Every year, Matt goes to Hood River for a week for a big paddle event. That week tends to include our anniversary, so this year I decided to join him. The plan was for me to work during the day and join him for hikes in the evenings. Unfortunately, we got hit with a crazy heat wave and I just couldn't bring myself to bring the dog out for long hikes in 100°F. Luckily, toward the end of the week it cooled down enough that we were able to do two little hikes before we went back home.