Seattle in all its brilliance!

I have been perusing old photos for an upcoming project I am working on and ran across too many beautiful images I just had to share. Old photos feel like old friends, that being said let me introduce you to my friends. Sometimes I wonder why I don't spend more time printing my photographs out and hang them on the wall. Then I remember putting nails into our walls is like pushing a thumb tack into concrete- IMPOSSIBLE! So while I dream of having less temperamental walls, may you dream of long Summer Seattle days and nights.

Strawberry Picking at Harvold's

Harvold's has been my family's long time favorite place for berry picking. Unlike many farms, they forgo the additional merchandise and instead focus solely on the berries and their quality. I remember learning how to pick berries at a very young age and eating more than my fair share of those berries while in the field. Amazingly enough, this was Cameron's very first time ever picking berries. Despite the soaring temperatures, he was driven and focus, with his head down picking I knew he meant business.

A happy discovery: Arboretum Plant Sale

My friend and I met up for a picnic last week at the Arboretum. We both had not been there in an embarrassing long time and after a wonderful afternoon we both left wondering why this was the case. After our picnic lunch we stumbled upon a plant sale and each ended up making our way home with a plant in hand. According to the women working the sale they are open each Wednesday and the second Saturday for business. Members of the Arboretum Foundation donate plants and then they spruce them up and sell them. All proceeds from the plant sales benefit the park and their prices are incredibly low. Talk about a win/win for everyone!! There will definitely be more picnics and plant sales in my future at the Arboretum. 

A walk in the woods

Nothing grounds me more nor alters my mood faster than some quality time outdoors. Whether it be a butt burning hike, a walk in the woods, a paddle on the sound or a sunset stroll through the park. I have found spending time outdoors is essential to my physical and mental well being. If you have not taken some time for yourself lately, might I suggest lacing up your shoes and setting out for some natural scenery.

Exploring around Bryce NP: Willis Creek

If you want to explore a slot canyon minus the crowds and the need to wade through waist deep water than Willis Creek is a great alternative. It is an easy hike, full of beautifully undulating walls. We headed here mid morning on a weekend after a leisurely breakfast and only came across two other groups the entire trip. There were lots of shadows cast by these tall walls, it made us feel small and we had fun with some silhouette shots.

When the lights go down

When the sunlight fades in the city, you might not even look up from what you are doing to appreciate it. However, when I am camping I pause and have the whole evening to celebrate its glory. Sunsets are like a good friends: steady, constant, and if you want to hang out it is fine by them.

Bryce National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is a fantastic place for easy hikes, beautiful rock formations, hoodoos and glorious blue skies. What I did not realize until I started researching our trip was how Bryce Canyon is a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters, I always pictured in my mind one large canyon. As the sun intermittently went behind clouds, the color of the landscape changed throughout the day.

A couple of our favorite hikes were: Navajo Trail, and Queen's Garden.

Pot Holes State Park

After waking up to rain pitter pattering on our tent in Leavenworth, we decided to make our way farther east to find the sunshine again. Luckily, we did not have to drive far and found it at Pot Holes State Park. We had never been there before, so we walked around the park and enjoyed our time by the river.

Weekend getaway: Eastern Washington

Whenever a long weekend approaches, it is my knee jerk reaction to get out of town. As much as I enjoy living in Seattle, a change of scenery does wonders for my well being. The weather in Seattle is typically disappointing for Memorial day, so we have finally gotten wise and know we should head east to find the sunshine. Eastern Washington might as well be worlds away from Seattle because everything from its demographics to the color palette is so different than the city.

Zion National Park

This was the Summer we were going to introduce our son to the great outdoors. Some people dream about teaching their child to speak their first words or ride a bike, but we were excited to simply strap him on our back and show him the beauty of this earth. As we stood in line at the gift shop, a women got in line behind us to purchase a Junior Park ranger vest. Suddenly, tears started to flow and I made my way outside. The items which once filled my heart with excitement and anticipation are now the very reminders of shattered dreams.

A lesson learned at Horseshoe Bend

While we were hiking down to Horseshoe Bend a gentleman passed us and told us, "You are too late, the lights are out, it is over" Confused and yet undeterred by this man's comments we continued to near Horseshoe Bend as the sun was setting. We decided to stop here after a full day of boating and slot canyon viewing. Since it is the most photographed section of the Colorado River we wanted to see it for ourselves.

Rainy days

When the rain started to get me down this past week, I did something I knew would instantly change my mood. I made homemade mac and cheese and then grabbed my camera and started photographing all the drippy gorgeousness. This past weekend we had out of town guests and after all the horrific downpours, they sadly summed up our city as "gloomy". When the rain gets me down I just need to remember these photographs.

The unexpected

Imagine my delight while in the midst of a photo shoot these goslings climb up out of the water onto the rocks, walked across the rocky beach and headed for the grass. 

California Wrap Up

Our weekend in Palm Springs was spent driving around catching all the highlights of Palm Springs like Elvis' Honeymoon house, Bob Hope's house, and the famous Kauffman House. However, our day trip to Joshua Tree National Park was by far the most scenic part of the trip. We enjoyed the sunshine and blue skies and look forward to finding another reason to head back down to California soon.

I am typically not a fan of fast food, but I always enjoy my annual trip to In and Out.

Joshua Tree National Park

Cameron had a business trip to Palm Springs, so I did what any sun seeking woman would do and tagged along. I enjoyed a few glorious days running in the sunshine, checking out the local design scene, and lounging by the pool. Once the weekend came we headed out to Joshua Tree National Park for a day of hiking and photography.
We learned the name Joshua Tree was given by Mormon settlers who crossed the Mojave Desert in the mid 19th century. The tree's unique shape reminded them of a biblical story in which Joshua reaches his hands up to the sky in prayer.

There were so many great rock formations everywhere, we should come back here for rock climbing.

This rock looked like a skull.

Rock climber in the distance.

Each Joshua Tree had its own individual personality.

Cholla cactus at sunset.

I love the unique beauty of the desert, it is all so foreign to me having lived in such a wet, lush place.

Mt. Hood

Although we have been to Portland on numerous occasions we have never ventured to Mt. Hood for a day of winter fun. We spent the day snowshoeing around Trillium Lake and enjoyed bursts of beautiful blue skies.

Trillium Lake was completely frozen over.

Mt. Hood on Dwellable