another salt and summit day

Summer has been sweet this year. Relatively little travel for AJ and me, long long days, and a record dry streak has made for a little slice of heaven up here in the PacNorWest.

This past weekend added to the list of what's making this summer so fun. AJ and I did yoga in the Sculpture Park, had brunch on Capital Hill with friends, celebrated a friend's 40th, beer hopped, rode our bikes 30 miles over town, and hosted a BBQ and discussion about environment and social justice in our backyard (NERDS!). And because I am taking every other Monday off, I hiked up to a mountain pass on the Olympic Peninsula and then paddled in the Salish Sea at the head of Hood Canal.

The day started with a sunrise wake up and ferry ride across the Sound to the west. I drove deep into one of the rain-forested valleys of Olympic National Park and proceeded to hike through the old growth trees up 4000 ft to Marmot Pass. The route passed by a cascading Quilcene River, grassy meadows full of flowers, and finally through the rocky pass that revealed new, stunning views into the next valley. Oh, and it was 75 degrees with blue blue skies. Perfection.

I descended back down the hill, hopped back in the car, and proceeded to sea level. There's a little island near the head of Hood Canal that caught my eye on the morning's drive, so I put my kayak in the water to check it out. I ended up finding the largest oyster bed I've ever seen in Puget Sound and watched the setting sun from my boat.

What a day. Only in the PacNorWest.

The old growth in the Quilcene River Valley.

Some local fauna.

Flowers flowers everywhere!

The view into the Olympics from Marmot Pass.

Snow in July.

The view east over Puget Sound. The Cascade Mountains are in the distance ---those aren't cloud!

J enjoying the Pass.

The Olympic Marmot.

The flowers were at peak!

On the Salish Sea.

Mount Baker over the sandbar.

Low lying oyster beds.

Oyster and shells.

Placid waters.

On the ferry home, Mount Rainier looms over the city. This photo is not photoshopped!

olympic coast + old friends = SO MUCH FUN

The Fellows rock. They really do. Total freakin rockstars. A bunch of them flew into town last weekend to hang out, and it was a good 'ol time.

We manage to get >50% of these kids together every 2 years or so. Sometimes more often than that. Usually something is a catalyst for a get together - wedding, someone happens to be in the area for work, family trip. But other trips germinate simply because one of us had to much to drink on a Tuesday night and sends an email to everyone proclaiming "I love you all! When Am I gonna see you again?" And lo and behold, a gathering materializes 6 weeks later.

So this one started because the Conathans planned a family trip to Washington. Since The Blondes and Adrienne and I are already here, that was already a quorum. As usual, others got wind of the upcoming adventure and booked tickets for the adventure too. Amber and Ken flew in for a long weekend, and now we had 8. Add in two kids, total group was 10. Not bad for impromptuness.

The Conathans had a longer trip planned, but we managed to pull everyone together for a weekend on the Olympic Peninsula. A night at Second Beach in the National Park was in order, and then a night in Port Townsend with the Blondes at their new 130 year old house. It was epic, and so so so fun to bring this great group together again.

 Second Beach is simply stunning, on all fronts.

Fellows on a beach!

The happy crowd. So fun to see these guys.

Father and Son, Jedi Warriors.

 Sea stacks.

Me and my special lady friend.

 Walkin with beers on tha beach.

The intertidal is absolutely crazy at Second Beach.

Sometimes ya gotta work for those intertidal scenes.

Spectacular sky.

 An epic sunset at Second Beach.


Dinner!

 S'mores time!

Camping on the beach under the full moon.

Fire time.

Back in Port Townsend at The Blondes' house for a picnic dinner.

sea level to 7000ft and back - only in the PacNorWest

I had a quiet day to myself and was looking for an adventure, so I hatched a plan that would take me from the comfort of my home to the Cascade Mountains, back down to Puget Sound and in my bed for a good night's sleep. I thought that only in the Pacific Northwest can you -- in one day -- spend time in the high mountains and on the sea. And not only does our region afford this opportunity, but the long long summer days make it possible. In fact, there's only about 4 hours of total darkness right now.

So I packed up Champ and a lunch, a couple of beers and bunch of water, and hit the road! It was an epic day.

I hit North Cascade National Park and hiked up to Blue Lake at 7,000 feet elevation. It was still frozen and I had lots of snow to contend with! Gorgeous blue waters, especially under the ice.

Then I left to drive back down the mountain and headed to the Puget Sound to do some paddling!

I watched young bald eagles try to do some fishing, mostly unsuccessful :)

Paddled in Port Susan Bay, checking out the cool beach shacks and the Great Blue Herons hunting along the shore. Magical Day.