 Ever get the feeling you are being watched?! I was midway up the Mount Si Haystack when I looked up to see this mountain goat intently watching me. It was framed between the rocks on the ridgeline with the late afternoon sun shining down. It made for a very picturesque scene and we kind of had a moment I'd say (lol).
 On the Rocks...Bourbon, Tequila, Scotch, and Gin...Oops, not that kind of "on the rocks". I was so impressed by the variety of rocks that I saw at Spray Park, in Mount Rainier National Park, that I decided to make an entire blog post to share images of the most interesting varieties.
 Travel along with me, by video, to experience all the big mountain views and alpine lakes from my recent backpacking trip in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
The second annual, self-proclaimed Will Bike for Wine ride. That is bicycling approximately 50 miles roundtrip from Seattle to Woodinville (with a lengthy stop for wine and food) and then back to Seattle again. My friend, Tatiana, introduced me to the concept last year and it sounded like something I could get behind - the outdoors, a physical challenge, wine, and food! This year we recruited another friend, Juliano, and the three of us made the trip again on Saturday, July 24th. I guess two years in a row makes it an annual event, right?
Ever wondered what it is like to walk 360 degrees around a volcano? Well, I did just that over the 4th of July weekend. But if you cannot make it there in person - check out my photo slideshow to "walk with me" and virtually experience the mountain from every angle.
 Teanaway is a scrambler's playground of in your face views, accessible peaks and ridgelines, and tons of possibilities to explore - both on and off trail. Check out my four summits in 24 hours - each compete with a selfie, a landscape photo, and a 360 degree video of the view!
 You Ask: What was one of the most unique and adventurous aspects of last month's Gates of the Arctic (Alaska) backpacking expedition? Definitely the travel logistics to and from the Alaskan bush in 1950s de Havilland Canada Beaver and Otter float planes. Check out my pictures and videos to see the full experience.
 View a collection of my favorite artistic photographs from above the Arctic Circle in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska.
 Read an overview of what it is like to spend a week backpacking in (and traveling to/from) the Gates of the Arctic National Park along the Brooks Range in northern Alaska.
 Alaska: The Last Frontier. That's what the car tag states. I'm geared up (and packed up) to experience it for myself.
 Over the Memorial Day long weekend I spent a lot of time hiking. But these trails were not to any fantastic vistas or mountain peaks. Sometimes you have to just put in the miles in preparation for that future objective...to those fantastic vistas and mountain peaks!
 This past Sunday I went back to the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park with a tough objective. But when I got out there, I just wasn't feeling it. So I changed plans, wandered around, and practiced my photography instead!
In September 2020, I climbed Mount St. Helens via the Monitor Ridge summer rock scrambling route. In May 2021, I climbed Mount St. Helens via the Worm Flows winter snow scrambling route. Both times I summited Mount St. Helens it was cloudy and my views were obscured. Both times I had the same crazed look on my face at the summit. And yes, both times I had on the same clothes. Check out this side by side comparison of my two summit climbs, 8 months a part, to see drastically different conditions, yet much the same experience!
 Over three Zoom sessions during the month of February I completed a Smartphone Photography class with the Mountaineers. I love taking photos in the wild, beautiful places that I visit and this course was great training to demystify "the eye" of photography. This post outlines many of the basic principles of photography that I learned in the course. I hope you too will benefit from these principles to capture even better shots in your own personal photography!
 The annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a big deal, but was canceled last year due to covid. Of course, when I heard the festival was back on in 2021, I had to say that I'd seen it once. The tulips are in bloom now and you can stop by many of the farms in the area for a walk, pictures, and fresh flowers.
 Last weekend I embarked on a different kind of road trip than I've done before. My plan was to live and sleep out of my SUV for 3 days while exploring around Central Oregon. To park my vehicle for the evening I choose to take advantage of dispersed camping, which means to camp on public lands outside of established campsites. End result: Success! Check out this blog post to read more about dispersed camping and my vehicle DIY road trip and sleep system set up.
 Around Seattle you can hike year round on snow free trails. But hiking in the Pacific Northwest during winter months does require a certain tolerance for being outside in the 30s and 40s with the frequent drizzle of rain.
 It is hard to believe it has now been a full year since covid made its introduction. I'm thankful for the outdoors outlet the PNW has provided me - new hobbies, travel, and exploration - during an otherwise difficult year.
 At first glance, this photograph almost looks like the silver sands of the Florida panhandle beaches where I grew up. Surprise...it is not sand, but snow at a very different sea level location - Seattle, Washington.
 2020 was called a dumpster fire. It was and I have proof...although this post comes a month and a half too late for 2020.
 Well, that is exactly what I did this past weekend in the Columbia River Gorge. I can remember being about 11 years old in the car with my best friend singing Waterfalls by the artist TLC. In the song TLC advises "Don't go chasing waterfalls. Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to." Now what kind of advice is that? If not for chasing waterfalls, literally and metaphorically, life would be a lot less fun, adventurous, and beautiful. So, here is to chasing waterfalls!
 After a not seeing family for the past year due to COVID-19, I made the decision that I needed to finally travel and get home for the holidays. On both legs of the flight, out and then back into Seattle, I was treated to my dream airplane window views - volcanoes and mountain ranges (plus beautiful clouds) as far as the eye can see.
I fell into a burning ring of fire... Well not the Johnny Cash song, but Washington volcanoes of Summer 2020! Although, I have to admit, I did listen to the famously annoying Johnny Cash song (multiple times) while writing this blog post!
 Have you ever been on a ferry? Well, I hadn't until I moved to Washington. Over the past month I have taken three "weekend warrior" road trips via ferry to three different islands in the Puget Sound. With that in mind, it seemed like a good time for a ferry blog post.
 I will admit...I am a view seeker. Whether in the city or the mountains, I love finding the places with the best views (call it the reward for my exploration). There are so many beautiful locations in and around Seattle. But the city skyline, in of itself, makes for one of the best images. Here are my top five vantage points (in no particular order) to see great Seattle city views.
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