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Hurricane Ridge
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA: The crisp morning air accompanied me as I drove toward Hurricane Ridge, in the Olympic National Park. A clear day between weather patterns and my heart filled with anticipation. With each mile, the darkness of my thoughts began to lift, making room for gratitude, humility, and reflection. I was embarking on…
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Rosario Head + Lighthouse and Lottie Point
DECEPTION PASS STATE PARK, WA: As the dawn’s light gently broke behind the overcast sky, I found myself on a familiar journey, yet each step felt fresh, infused with the promise of discovery. Today’s hike along the Bowman Bay Trail was not just a physical journey but a soulful exploration. As I made my way…
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Snoquera Falls
MOUNT BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST, WA: Driving toward Snoquera Falls in the early morning darkness, the world outside felt still and serene. Each mile brought a renewed sense of gratitude, especially when I learned that the bridge between Buckley and Enumclaw had reopened, clearing a path without obstacles, making this journey feel a little more special.…
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Dry Creek & Bridal Veil Falls
COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA, OR: With an early morning start that really felt like the night before, I had plenty of road-time to Bridal Veil Falls in Oregon, a quick stop before my hike at Dry Creek Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. The stillness of the early morning was like a gentle…
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Hole-in-the-Wall + Hoh + Ruby Beach
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, FORKS, WA: As the first light of dawn was still an hour away, I felt a surge of excitement for the day’s adventure ahead visiting Hole-in-the-Wall, in the Olympic National Park, on the coast near Forks, WA. The promise of exploration and reflection beckoned me to Rialto Beach, where nature would unveil…
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Dirty Harry’s Balcony
MIDDLE FORK SNOQUALMIE, WA: As I stood at the trailhead for Dirty Harry’s Balcony an hour before sunrise, the cool, predawn darkness shrunk my physical space. The faint glow of my headlamp cut through the misty drizzle, illuminating the path ahead, while the rich aroma of damp moss filled the air. In that moment, I…
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Mount Walker
OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST, WA: Arriving at Mount Walker just before dawn, I was enveloped in a world of anticipation that danced in the crisp air around me. Stepping out of my car, I felt the chill bite at my skin, yet the beauty of the tall evergreens, silhouetted against the dark blue sky, soothed my…
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Skyline to Glacier Vista
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, PARADISE: In the darkness of my early morning drive to Mount Rainier, a thrill of anticipation coursed through me. The sun was still a couple of hours from revealing its golden rays over Paradise, yet the magic of the moment was palpable. Each breath of the crisp morning air filled me…
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Chambers Creek Trail+
UNIVERSITY PLACE, WA: Today, I embarked on my final hike of 2025 at Chambers Bay, feeling the crisp air invigorating my spirit as I set out just past noon for this urban trek. The sun was in a playful tug-of-war with the clouds, a fitting metaphor for the day ahead. After making my way down…
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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…
Musings 