River reconnection: backpacking the North Fork Skokomish River Trail in Olympic National Park
Why would any sane, rational human being leave the comfort of their home with air conditioning and plumbing, strap 40 pounds of gear onto their back, and haul it 10 miles into the wilderness on foot to sleep on the ground, and eat dehydrated food for days? Under threat of bear activity and a “mountain...
Photography from Snoqualmie Falls, Washington
The Pacific Northwest continues to be one of my favorite parts of the country. On a recent work trip to Seattle, Washington, one of our colleagues local to the area who is an avid hiker in the area (hi Eric!) generously planned a hike for those of us (hi David!) who could stay another day....
Quick Hits in Tacoma, Washington
I spent a night in Tacoma, Washington passing through between Ashford and Mount Rainier on my way to Seattle to speak at a conference. If you asked my what I did between practicing my talk, I'd say "looked at the ocean" and "stuffed my face." I didn't have much down time to see all the...
Mount Rainier & Ashford, WA
Mount Rainier has called to me since the first time I saw it with my own eyes nearly 15 years ago. I plan to hike the 93-mile Wonderland Trail around the perimeter of this mountain someday. This 14,411-foot stratovolcano and glacial peak towers over Seattle and Tacoma in Washington state on the days when "the...
Volunteer Park Conservatory in Seattle, Washington
Seattle is one of my favorite cities in the U.S. I frequently visit the Pacific Northwest for work, and I always try to tack on a little time to visit with family or friends and discover something new in the city. This time, my friend Ben and I grabbed a cup of coffee and went...