Penninsula Camping

Last weekend we geared up to go bad weather camping/hiking for our friend Daniel's 30th birthday on the Olympic Peninsula. Turns out, we had pretty good weather instead. It rained/hailed/sleeted/snowed while we were there but never when we wanted to hike, eat outside, make dinner. It was quite amazing.

We started the day exploring Rialto beach. We meandered along picking up fun shaped driftwood, finding sea glass, spotting sea anemones, and chatting. The landscape there feels different every time we go. This time the waves were small and happy, the tide was low most of the time, and the shore was littered with bright orange wood.

Wrapped up our time outside playing the beach game we invented with people last year, Jerkin the Gherkin. Ended the evening around the fire with pies for the birthday boy. The next day we trekked a bit along second beach, ate lunch along the lake, and took the ferry back home. It was a great amount of quality time with the outdoors and our friends.

The trip that will be

 

Friday night I came back down from Vancouver, met Joshua up north and we drove straight to the trailhead. We planned on doing a fabulous 30 mile loop with amazing view and up close mountains. We headlamp hiked in about 2 miles and camped, woke up at 5:30 and started ascending.

 

 Sadly the clouds were heavy and didn't seem like they were planning on letting up anytime soon. Soon after it began to rain. So while deciding upon forward or backward we squatted in the middle of the trail under a tree and drank a bunch of warm coffee. We decided to come back and do it in a 3 day trip so we could see all we wanted up there and go when it wasn't so cloudy so we didn't miss what we went up there for to begin with.

 Overall we backpacked about 14 miles and sometimes the way the clouds hug the mountaintops is just stunning. We capped it off with a stop at a Burger Shack in Darrington and a beer at a brewery there that had just opened. We'll get cha next time loop!



Taking on Rock Climbing

Joshua and I bought rock climbing shoes while my parents were visiting awhile back. We've used them once, but now that it's rainy season we're excited to have more of a reason to head to the climbing gym.
We went on Sunday night after dinner and got reaquainted with how to do it and what our ability was. I think Joshua's height is cheating, but he did way better than I did.

What I've been suprised about is that it kind of scares me, heights don't bother me and they have fluffy mats you'd fall on, but I've hurt my back and neck a few times and I think that's the fear that grips me.
It was fun to have Joshua there coaching me on and supporting me through it when I'd freeze and just encouraging me even when I stopped half way up. Looking forward to getting stronger and possibly, dare I say, aquire some arm muscles. (I know I laughed too)

We can't wait to spend more nights there, here they are open until 11pm! it's such a fun way to pull ourselves out of a rut and get up and do something (especially on a rainy day) that is centered around the climbing and exersize but also facilitates conversation and even teamwork. Plus who doesn't feel cool laying around on mats looking all pro in your own shoes :)

Breast Cancer Walk & a Seattle Murphy's

 

This Sunday was the Breast Cancer Walk. My work had a team and Josh and I went. I really like the idea of doing active things with co-workers. While on the walk I was talking to one of the girls and she said that when she started biking to work more people starting talking with her. She realized it was because they had more things in common now. I had never really thought of this. Getting drinks and lunch together would be so much more fun than just venting (which is sometimes needed!) if you knew or did things together you both liked. So now that I am aware of this I'm excited to seize the opportunities that will foster this.