-
Hurricane Ridge
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA: The crisp morning air accompanied me as I drove toward Hurricane Ridge, in Olympic National Park. It was 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 setting…
-
Rosario Head + Lighthouse and Lottie Point
DECEPTION PASS STATE PARK, WA: Dawn broke slowly behind the overcast sky. The trail was familiar, but each step felt fresh. Today’s hike at Deception Pass was as much a soulful exploration as a physical one. As I made my way to Lighthouse Point and Lottie Point, it was a chance to reflect on gratitude,…
-
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.…
-
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…
-
Fragrance Lake Trail
LARRABEE STATE PARK, BELLINGHAM, WA: As I stepped onto the Fragrance Lake Trail this morning, the world around me began to awaken in a gentle glow illuminating over the Chuckanut Mountains. The air was crisp, invigorating my senses, while the soft crunch of an earthy mix underfoot harmonized with the chorus of birds greeting the…
-
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 Hole-in-the-Wall at Rialto Beach, where nature…
-
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 shrank 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…
-
Mount Walker
OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST, WA: Arriving at Mount Walker just before dawn, I stepped out into the crisp air, anticipation sitting close. The chill bit at my skin, yet the beauty of the tall evergreens, silhouetted against the dark blue sky, soothed my nerves. This morning’s hike gave me room to think, with its own twists,…
-
Skyline to Glacier Vista
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, PARADISE: In the darkness of my early morning drive to Mount Rainier, anticipation kept me wide awake. The sun was still a couple of hours from reaching Paradise, but the morning already felt like something. Each breath of the crisp morning air filled me with gratitude, setting the tone for a…
-
Chambers Creek Trail
UNIVERSITY PLACE, WA: Today, I started 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 kept slipping in and out of the clouds, a fitting start to the day ahead. After making my way down the…