Washington Trails Contributions

I just got my copy of the Sept/Oct issue of Washington Trails Magazine. Two of my contributions & photos appeared on separate pages in the spread. Of course, it's once again our backsides...which some would argue are more pleasant to look at then our mugs. Anyway, I'm enjoying my career more than ever and am so grateful that I followed my heart!

Other summer happenings

This summer has been full of great memories and beautiful places. V and I got a silly streak one day to take a day trip over to the Winthrop area (3 hours each direction) to fish the Methow River. The weather on the western side of the Cascades was dreary and misty, so you could say we were also 'chasing the sun'. We certainly found sun, and fish! This beautiful cutthroat trout took a huge floating grasshopper fly.

The yard has been hopping with LBB's (Little Brown Birds) and the doe and her twins are never far off. The little ones are getting so big! This morning I noticed that their spots are starting to fade.

And, I've been trying to get outside whenever the weather cooperates and check out backcountry conditions. This shot below is the Kendall Katwalk on the Pacific Crest Trail. Other pictures are from Mason Lake and Mount Defiance. Despite the cold weather, or because of it, the wildflowers were spectacular this season!

Book deadline & ramblings

With the book deadline hanging out there, it's been a crazy month. Rainier and I have become really good friends. We've had some good talks, shared many memories and she's tested my hiking skills and patience. Over the last several weeks, I've spent a ton of time in the backcountry taking photographs and getting everything ready to roll. Most of my trail time has been spent solo, but I've been lucky enough to have the company of friends whenever possible. Lisa and Vil were my models on one such occasion.

Some days I hike 16+ miles, gain and then lose 3,500+ feet of elevation and return to the car, exhausted, but happy. Regardless of distance, each time I set foot on the trail I know that my hard work will pay off and the climb with be worth the beauty of the place I'm going to visit. Hopefully the photos in my book will show that passion. There is such a peace in the flower filled meadows, the quiet streams and the wildlife that lives amongst it all. Occasionally I get to a place of supreme beauty and after sitting in the quiet of it all, listen to this one particular song on my iPod. I want to remember this experience, step for step- all of it, the book and the places I've seen. It's what makes me, me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ty4TsRJQ_M

I have so many photos that I can't even begin to share all the pictures on the blog, but here are a few. I'll give updating the blog more emphasis after the deadline has come around. Hope everyone in blogger-land is having a great summer!