When we pulled up to the trail head, there were only two other cars. Not bad. We purposely took a day off mid-week in an attempt to avoid crowds on our hike. We also didn't pick a super popular hike to begin with. As we were getting situated and out of the car, another car… Continue reading Fresh air, sun, mountains — and masks
There seems to be a trend where I go on vacation and come home to Seattle snow. Last year it was after our three-week honeymoon in New Zealand. I arrived back home to snow-covered streets and multiple more snow days that followed. That time, Seattle received more than a week of "significant" snow. I was… Continue reading Seattle snow days, sort of
Sometimes it's hard to balance getting tasks checked off of your to-do list and doing "fun things." Fun things for Bryce and I on the weekends usually involve being outdoors. Last Sunday we decided to have the best of both worlds by waking up early and going on a short hike about an hour away… Continue reading A short and sweet hike
I've now fully embraced that summer is over. I have welcomed fall with open arms and an open heart. But, I didn't know that I'd have to welcome winter at the same time. Weather in the Seattle area has been unpredictable recently. Two weekends ago, temperatures suddenly dropped to the 40s — yes, I'm using… Continue reading It’s beginning to look a lot like winter
It was getting late. OK, by late I mean it was 7:30 pm. But, I had been driving for more than 100 miles that day -- and, I was hungry and had to pee. We had arrived at the Kingston Ferry Terminal after enjoying an afternoon at Hurricane Ridge and were hoping we'd catch the… Continue reading A missed ferry, a lightning storm
It was as if we were stuck behind the slowest customer at the grocery store. You know the one. This person not only has 15 coupons, but one has expired and they are trying to convince cashier to accept it anyway. Oh, and they are paying by check — and, their pen just ran out… Continue reading The wait, the mountains and the deer
One of my friends and I always joke that we PM at work and have to PM in our personal lives as well. PM = project manage Being this way has its perks though. My summer has been pretty busy, but it has also been extremely fun — because of all the plans I made… Continue reading Project managing my summer
Grey skies, but moments of sun breaks. No rain. Spotting a pod of small dolphins! Next to the beach. Walking a loop trail that eventually returned us to our campsite. Tall evergreen trees. "Is that an island? Or is that a boat?" "What?" "Over there." *Unsure ... but eventually we agree that it's a very… Continue reading Snapshots of Camano camping
"Maybe we'll find some sand dollars," I said to Bryce as we left out campsite and walked to the beach. It was around 7:30 in the morning and while it wasn't exactly low tide, the tide was still fairly low. We were camping at Cape Lookout State Park on the Oregon Coast. I had spent… Continue reading To the Oregon Coast!
"Are you lactose intolerant, Kristin?" As I have gotten older, I am asked this question more frequently. (Most recently, even from my own brother!) There's no way I am lactose intolerant. I eat yogurt with granola for breakfast almost every day. I drink a glass of milk with dinner when I'm at my parents' house.… Continue reading Will travel for cheese
otter travel more 