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Spruce Railroad Trail: Lake Crescent
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA: This morning, as dawn began to unfold along the Spruce Railroad Trail at Lake Crescent, I found myself enveloped in an atmosphere of serene anticipation. The air was crisp, with low fog draping the landscape like a soft blanket. Each step I took felt like a gentle awakening, a reminder of…
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Point Defiance Park
POINT DEFIANCE PARK, TACOMA, WA: As I embarked on my early morning drive to Point Defiance, the darkness of the road felt familiar yet full of promise. I rolled down the window and the crisp air filled my lungs as I anticipated the sunrise, a rare Pacific Northwest seasonal occurrence, and a moment that would…
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Twin Falls Trail
OLALLIE STATE PARK, NORTH BEND, WA: Today, I ventured to North Bend, WA, the crisp air invigorating my spirit as I parked my car at the trailhead just before sunrise. The deep blue sky promised a beautiful clear day and I felt a familiar thrill coursing through me. Today’s hike would be a gentle journey,…
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Colchuck Lake
THE ENCHANTMENTS, ALPINE LAKES WILDERNESS, WA: This morning, as I navigated the stillness of the early morning, just before dawn, with my headlamp illuminating the path ahead, I was filled with a deep sense of gratitude. The crisp air carried hints of winter, and the anticipation of my hike to Colchuck Lake in Leavenworth’s enchanting…
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“One Square Inch of Silence”
HOH RAINFOREST, OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA: Before the sun began to rise, I embarked on yet another adventure into the heart of nature, a ritual that nourishes my body, mind, and soul. Driving through the coastal darkness, the road felt like a blank canvas, inviting me to reflect on the profound gratitude I carry for…
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Packwood Lake Trail
GOAT ROCKS WILDERNESS, WA: As dawn was about to break, I found solace in the quiet of my early morning drive. The roads provided a blank canvas for gratitude and today’s trail-thought. This morning, my heart embraced the cheesy romantic comedies that offer a break from reality, even if only for a couple hours. Romcoms…
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Falls Creek Falls
GIFFORD PINCHOT NATIONAL FOREST, WA: As I turned off Wind River Highway, about 20 miles north of the Washington-Oregon border, I headed down a forest road towards Falls Creek Falls—the rain tapping a steady rhythm on my windshield. With every mile, the lush green scenery transformed into a watercolor masterpiece, vibrant and alive. I parked…
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Lake Angeles Trail
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, PORT ANGELES, WA: As I journeyed toward the trailhead on Hurricane Ridge Road, the world outside my car was still cloaked in the gentle embrace of darkness, slowly yielding to the anticipation of day with shades of autumn cradling each side of the road. The drive through Olympic National Park felt like…
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Crystal Lakes to Sourdough Gap
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL FOREST, WA: Reaching the Crystal Lakes Trailhead, still enveloped in darkness, I felt a mix of excitement and nerves about the adventure that awaited me. The crisp winter air filled my lungs, serving as a reminder that this journey would be a physical challenge, but also provide a space for me to…
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Franklin Falls and Badger Mountain
SNOQUALMIE PASS & BADGER MOUNTAIN: As the sun dipped low in the sky, I found myself standing at the trailhead, filled with anticipation for a new adventure. My journey started with the calming stream of water leading me to Franklin Falls, a trail where nature revealed its secrets through the early-evening light breaking through the…
Musings 