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Mexico

Baja Cove Mexico Recap

  • November 26, 2017March 12, 2019

Length of Stay:

  • 5 days, 4 nights

Highs:

  • Gorgeous weather
  • Kayaking in the ocean with a sea lion

Lows:

  • Airports during holiday travel

Favorite Treat:

  • Tacos! My favorite was the shrimp, although the Mako shark was also tasty.
… Read more
Mexico

When the Sun Goes Down

  • November 25, 2017March 12, 2019

 

 

Sunsets on the Pacific are pretty stellar. The entire sky emits a gorgeous scheme of colors that reflect off of the ocean. Taking a horseback ride on the beach with dusk approaching rendered this Mexican moment even more glamorous. The sun hovered around the horizon casting long rays of light out onto the … Read more

Mexico

Sea Lions and Sea Slugs

  • November 24, 2017March 12, 2019

The waves picked up, barreling over my kayak as I struggled to paddle perpendicular to the shore. The salt spray blinded me momentarily until I was through the shore break and out into the relatively calm waters.

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It was a beautiful Thanksgiving day south of the border. An almost record high of 85° convinced me … Read more

Mexico

Una Mañana Mexicana

  • November 22, 2017March 12, 2019

The gentle murmur of waves greeted me as I shook off my morning slumber. Half asleep, I listened to the ocean purr and gurgle, rhythmic in its lullaby. Pulling on my hoodie, I tiptoed out to the shore for a morning stroll.

Pelicans dove violently for their breakfast while gulls skittered nearby picking for crabs … Read more

47 Parks

North Cascades Recap

  • May 27, 2017March 12, 2019

Countdown:

  • 6 more parks to go!

Length of Stay:

  • 1 day, 1 night

High:

  • The fascinating emerald green lakes

Low:

  • Dam power lines obscuring the landscape

Favorite Hike:

  • Thunder Knob Trail

Favorite Treat:

  • Smoked salmon
… Read more
47 Parks

I Almost Ran Over a Bear

  • May 25, 2017March 12, 2019

True story.

Not even kidding.

I was driving the speed limit on my way into North Cascades national park. I had just come from the ranger station back in town, armed with maps and ready to hit up some nifty hiking trails in the mountains.

The weather wasn’t playing nice; it was drizzling and icky … Read more

Eastward Bound

A Visit to the Motherland

  • May 24, 2017March 12, 2019

Canada was so close. It had been almost four years since I had lasted visited my country of birth, so I figured it was high-time to cross the border and enjoy a butter tart or Nanaimo bar.

I left Clarence the teardrop trailer with a babysitter and hopped on a ferry to take me across … Read more

47 Parks

Olympic Recap

  • May 20, 2017March 12, 2019

Countdown:

  • 7 more parks to go!

Length of Stay:

  • 3 days, 2 nights

High:

  • Exploring the tide pools
  • Mountain vistas

Low:

  • Mud – the kind that grips your shoes, suctions your feet as you walk, and feels like it’s going to swallow you whole

Favorite Hike:

  • Sol Duc Falls

Favorite Treat:

  • Famous clam chowder from
… Read more
47 Parks

Tide Pools and Temperate Rainforests

  • May 18, 2017March 12, 2019

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I knew within seconds that Olympic National Park was special.

It sounded different, smelled exotic, and looked like a mystical fairy-land that I used to imagine as a child.

My first stop was the coast, particularly Beach 4, where one of the locals promised me I’d be able to explore the tide pools when the … Read more

47 Parks

Mt. Rainier Recap

  • May 17, 2017March 12, 2019

Countdown:

  • 8 more parks to go!

Length of Stay:

  • 2 days, 1 night

High:

  • Weather – despite being in the Pacific Northwest in springtime, I’ve been ridiculously lucky with both the temperature and lack of precipitation

Low:

  • Tough snow-hiking that wreaked havoc on my knees/ankles

Favorite Hike:

  • Rampart Ridge loop

Favorite Treat:

  • Smoked salmon
… Read more

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About Me

About Me

National park expert. Nature enthusiast. Outdoor educator. These are the chronicles of my travels and discoveries around the country and throughout the world.

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