Adventure #23: Spa time

The focus this year at school is all about self care, and sometimes I roll my eyes and bitterly scoff "who has time for that", but I'm starting to realize that maybe taking a bit of time for myself isn't always such a bad thing. One adventure that I've been looking forward to most has been treating myself to a spa experience.

I started by reaching out to my Facebook network for recommendations. I had planned on just getting a facial, but I had no idea where to start, or what to look for. I don't even know my skin type (other than 'burns very easily', but that's never one of the check-box options). Many people recommended Olympus, and I'm definitely still interested in giving that a try, but a student of mine gave me a discount coupon for Soleil Day Spa in Auburn, and I thought it would be PERFECT to celebrate the end of a stressful semester with an evening of relaxation and pampering.

The Aromatic Balancing Cocoon was recommended because it's a great way to add some warmth to a chilly day. I'm pretty sure that I've got some lizard genes mixed in with mine, because I always seem to be impossibly cold, so this sounded perfect. This was also a great way to experience lots of different kinds of pampering--shea butter, scalp and foot massage, heated towels, aromatherapy, and the chance to pretend to be a caterpillar!

I sincerely hope you'll forgive the lack of pictures for this post, but it was nice to get away from my phone for a bit, and I didn't think to have my massage therapist get a picture of me, but I felt a bit like this:

Between the dry brushing, aromatic oils, shea butter being painted on (yes, with a paintbrush) and then wrapped in warm blankets, towels, and a reflective heat blanket, I think I got a good idea of what a Thanksgiving turkey feels like, and it was glorious. I've always loved getting a massage (I go mostly to get all my stress knots worked out) but this was next level pampering. My skin definitely feels softer, and and I left feeling very relaxed. I told the ladies at the front desk that this could very easily become an expensive habit :) 

It was a nice and gentle relaxing space to be in though. There was a sand table which was fun to play in, and a tea cabinet for before or after the massage--both of which I enjoyed! 

They also gave me a first-time goodie-bag that had additional coupons to entice me back (as if I needed extra convincing), and a few samples of products. Much to my surprise, I discovered that the brand of products they use are all cruelty free! I've made a personal pledge to make all of my future cosmetic purchases cruelty free, so it's great to have another brand that's easily accessible in my arsenal. FarmHouse Fresh is also an animal rescue, so many of the ingredients they use in their products come from rescued animals that are now being raised on their organic farm! 

Ultimately, this was a really spectacular way to close out a semester, and while I know I can't afford to do it all the time, I really enjoyed my evening, and would love to do it more in the future.

Adventure #22: Gold Creek Pond Snowshoe

Hiking in January has the potential to be cold, soggy, and miserable, but if you time it right, it can be perfection.

Gold Creek Pond is near the summit of Snoqualmie Pass and it was a perfect place to take Nikky for his first snowshoe ever! We were able to stop in North Bend to pick up a sno-park pass, and it was a quick and easy drive up to the trailhead. Normally, this place has a paved path around the lake for a 1 mile loop, but the snow makes things a little different. While the path is covered in snow, it's easy to follow and gives views of a gorgeous winter wonderland.

The lake looks frozen over, but there are plenty of signs warning about thin ice. By the time we had returned here in the afternoon, the lake was completely liquid again! 

There's a small peninsula at the far end of the lake which was good for exploring--and selfies!

The waist-high rails only came up to our knees due to the build up of snow.

After making almost a complete circuit around Gold Creek Pond, we took a spur trail that actually leads to a bunch of privately own cabins. The WTA instructions say that you can hike out as far as you want, so we did a short circumnavigation of Heli's Pond, and found a nice spot for lunch (Nikky brought Thin Mints!) before turning back.

I find it refreshing and humbling to spend time in the mountains, as they always make me feel a world away from any stress (or grading) that's bringing me down. I'm so glad that there are people who have come before me to blaze trails, draw maps, and develop equipment that will keep me safe as I seek solace in the hills. As always, let me know if you'd like to join me on my next adventure! 

Adventure #21: Dry Creek Falls

December is nuts. School was overwhelming, the holidays require some extra attention, and I am completely drained of all energy.

However, I DID manage to find some time for a wet, soggy, but beautiful hike! Dry Creek Falls was perfect for a post-Christmas stroll through the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area. Despite the fact that this area was damaged in the Eagle Creek Fire, it seems to me making a strong recovery, and it's great that the area is open for exploration again. As devastating as this fire was, particularly because it wasn't naturally caused, it's nice to see that recovery is possible.

This trail is a section of the PCT just south of the Bridge of the Gods and the quaint town of Cascade Locks. While I don't think I'll ever take the MONTHS of trail time to hike the entire thing, I would definitely like to spend some time hiking sections.

I knew I was running out of December to get my hike in, so even though it was predicted to rain all day, Mike and I grabbed our rain gear and soldiered on anyway! It's nice to be reminded that I won't melt in the rain. The uphill climb to the falls kept us warm too!

Dramatic basalt cliffs covered in moss would have been a great place to enjoy an afternoon picnic (if we hadn't been so soggy), and I'd love to revisit this place again when the weather is different. The nice thing about the wet weather is that the falls were nice and full!

One of the best things about the hike? Lunch and "small" ice cream cones from The Eastwind Drive-In! Although maybe the ice cream is better left to dry sunny days. We were both pretty chilly after we devoured these...

Happy holidays, and may your new year be filled with adventures and new experiences! 

Adventure #20: Beneath the Streets of Seattle

After playing tourist in so many places all over the world, sometimes it's nice to play tourist in your own "hometown". When I was young, I remember learning that all of the tiny purple squares in the Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle were actually skylights for the underground city--this fascinated me, and I began to imagine an underground version of the very same city that mirrored the world above ground. Skyscrapers, waterfronts, and entire bus lines, existed in this underground world, but instead of a blue sky (or, more realistically, a grey drippy sky), there was a cavelike, dirt ceiling with thin purple light filtering through tiny skylights.

This weekend, I learned that this vision was entirely untrue, but definitely not less interesting.

Nikky and I hadn't seen each other in a while, so when he asked if I had ever done an underground tour, I knew it would be perfect for an official adventure. We were actually the only locals on our tour, and the guide seemed very surprised that we weren't being dragged along by relatives visiting from out of town. If you'd like to book a trip of your own (whether you're a local or not), I highly recommend Beneath The Streets.

I've listened to a bit of Seattle's History (thanks to The Seattle Files), and I adore MOHAI, but I've never really dug into our city's past, and my freshman year Pacific Northwest History class seems like it was eons ago. This was a great opportunity to really see some of the local history first hand.

Many of the spaces are filled with the detritus of years past. These corridors were established as temporary storefronts before the streets of Seattle were graded down or built up. This allowed businesses to operate while construction was still happening. As the streets were built up, and the second story became the main entrance, the first floor became the basement of these buildings, and the alleys around the buildings were used to store unwanted items, broken machinery, and trash.

Many stops on the tour have large old photographs too, to help visitors orient themselves as to where they're standing in relationship to what it looks like above the sidewalks too.

Parts of the tour involved looking at the architecture from above the streets too. Many of the buildings have the year 1889 across the top, as that's when people were able to rebuild after the fire had destroyed everything.

"Hidden" staircases like this lead to underground areas that are still in use today! During prohibition, these entrances were very handy for people interested in bootlegged liquor and illicit activities. There was no shortage of "entertainment" in the Pioneer Square area of Seattle back in the day!

These small pieces of glass used to be clear, but have turned purple over the years. This particular shape of glass was designed to help spread the light out underneath the dark sidewalk, and give more light to the areas underneath the new streets. This particular area is now used as a bar in the Comedy Underground, but their booze is legal now.

The Comedy Underground also is a refurbished space that makes use of valuable real estate in Seattle. A performance venue is the perfect use for a space with no windows! 

 Circular glass "skylights" from above! 

Thanks for a great afternoon Nikky!

Adventure #19: Noble Knob

The mountains were calling, and I had to go.

It had been a weekend of clear, calm, and sunny days, and I knew that I had to get out and go visit Rainier--especially because of my recent commitment (see previous post for details). Veterans Day was a perfect opportunity to avoid crowds, and after doing some searching on WTA's Hike Finder, I discovered Noble Knob, and set out for my first solo hike as part of this project.

Headed out from the trailhead!

The hike was perfect-- gorgeous views through the burned out trees from the Norse Peak fire, just enough snow to make it a wintry wonderland without making it difficult to hike, and some lovely unexpected companions too.
Fires are devastating, and it's heartbreaking to see the damage they can do to our beloved areas-- we all watched with baited breath that September to see if Crystal Mountain would be able to remain a ski area, if our friend's cabin would be destroyed, or if all of Mt. Rainier would go up in flames. As global warming has made droughts longer, and drier, it has made fire season all that more dangerous. Fires are a natural part of forestry, and are important to helping some plants and animals grow, but human influence has made fires bigger, hotter, and more destructive than in the past. I'm thankful that the Norse Peak fire was put out relatively quickly, and there was no structural damage, but it's hard to walk though this trail without imagining what it could have destroyed if things hadn't gone according to plan.

Even among the destruction, you can still find some signs of life! Winter is coming to blanket everything in thick snow, but next spring, animals will be back, seeds will be dropped, plants and trees will grow again, and life will come back to this beautiful place. Although the views of the mountain might not be so clear...

My goal for the day was the top of this final rise. Not too long, not too steep, but just enough to get your heart pumping. I was glad Adriana had reminded me to bring my microspikes! I got them in the REI Gear Loft last spring, and hadn't had the chance to try them out! Definitely a worthwhile investment, especially when working my way uphill, and along tricky, narrow trails.

The view from the top was exactly what I was looking for. I had a great conversation with two gentlemen (hello, Brandon and Logan) who said they'd look into reading my blog. They'd spent their morning making the snowman seen here, and had brought their backpacking stove to enjoy warm snacks at the top-- definitely a habit I should start getting into!

On my way back down, I reflected on how grateful I am to have so many good things in my life--a body that lets me hike, natural places full of beauty and solitude, clothing to keep me warm, and people willing to defend my country, and let me live the life I want to lead. There are many places in this world where a woman would not have these opportunities, and I'm eternally grateful that I have them. My country isn't perfect, but veterans have fought for my right to say that. They've fought for my right to vote to make changes when I'm unhappy, and for my freedom to get married (or not get married) to whomever I like, to wear what I like, to learn what I want, to drive whenever I want to, and the freedom to do just about anything I like.

Be sure to take some time this month to go outside and appreciate what you have too.

All smiles on the way back down!

Adventure #18: Fundraising

I have long considered Mt. Rainier my backyard. If the weather was clear, I could squint through the trees of my childhood home, and proudly claim "the mountain is out today". Anybody from Western Washington knows that you don't need to clarify which mountain. It's always her. My family skis at Crystal Mountain, and we all know it's the best view in the state. My father would joke that you don't need to get a degree in meteorology to predict the weather around here-- if you can't see the mountain, that means it's raining; if you can see the mountain, that means it's going to rain.

The view from the top of Crystal Mountain

As my world expanded, and I traveled farther and farther from home, I grew to appreciate how many beautiful places our planet has to offer--coral reefs, isolated islands, waving wheat fields, pristine beaches, rugged coastlines, lush swampland, historic castles, and more. I love getting to experience new (and old) cultures, try foods I've never had before, and immerse myself in worlds so different from my own, but I also love coming home to my own bed, snuggling my cat, and seeing "my" mountain when I land at SeaTac. She is ever present in her majesty, breathtakingly formidable, and is always there to welcome me home.

In 2016, I made a summit attempt. I had prepared for this like nothing I had ever prepared for before. I was running regularly, and participated in a 15k race. I was hiking almost weekly, and most of the time I was carrying a weighted pack trying to slow me down. I had visited doctors and gotten prescriptions against altitude sickness. I spoke with other climbers about their climb stories. I read books on rest-stepping and HACE and HAPE symptoms. I took a mountaineering class. I reached the summit of Mt. St. Helens.  I was as ready as I could possibly be, but as it turned out, it wasn't my time. The winds were high, and a piece of dirt from Disappointment Cleaver was swept into my eye. I lost a contact, scratched a cornea, and then had a stress-induced asthma attack at 12,000 feet. As she looked down, wearing her smug lenticular crown, and I knew that even though I hadn't succeeded, I made the right decision in turning around.

Sunrise from 12,000 feet

In 2017, I sought vindication via The Wonderland Trail. This 11 day adventure remains one of the best trips I've ever been on, and one of my accomplishments that I am most proud of in my life. If you asked me on day 2 of the trip, I would have said "never again". If you asked me by day 11, I was ready to do a second circuit (with maybe a day or so for rest, a hot shower, and a pizza). I am now looking at other long-distance trips and hope to complete sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and the Camino de Santiago.

My favorite night on the Wonderland

Since 2016, I've been rolling the question around in my mind whether I'd like to make another attempt. I learned that year that I'm not really a fan of mountain climbing, as it is very isolating. Even though you're literally tied to a group of other people, most of the time you're about 30 feet apart, and there is little conversation as you try to conserve air, focus your oxygen deprived brain, and commit to carefully placing your feet so you don't end up down a crevasse. But I'm also not the kind of person that sets a goal and gives up after one attempt. There were a lot of cards stacked against me that day, and what happened was out of my control.

Enter SheJumps.
I first heard about this organization while I was skiing at Crystal Mountain and they were hosting an event called "Get The Girls Out". Their whole mission is about encouraging girls and women to get outside, and take advantage of all of the wonders that our natural world provides--definitely something I'm a fan of. As it turns out, once a year they do a fundraising climb to raise awareness about their mission, and money for their Wild Skills youth education programs which include first aid, navigation, leave no trace, and shelter building. How cool is that?!

SO I'M CLIMBING MT. RAINIER THIS JULY!

How is this an adventure? I know it doesn't fit with in the time constraints (adventures should be completed by May 3rd) and technically I've attempted the climb before (and adventures should be new experiences) so I'm counting the fundraising aspect as something new. I've never tried to raise this much money before, and I would LOVE to have my minimum goal ($3500) met by May 3rd. (I'd actually love to have that goal met much earlier, but I'm going to be forgiving with myself.)

How can you help? Donate of course! There are LOTS of ways to do this!

1.  Make a donation to my donation page: Don't want me to keep hassling you about money? Just make a donation! I promise, no donation is too small. Also, please consider sharing my story! Feel free to share this link, any of my many upcoming social media posts, or even this blog post with your friends and family. The more people that hear about it, the more potential donors I have!
2. Pledge to support me in my training: Pledge $1 per mile I run? Pledge $5 per training hike with a loaded pack? Pledge a dollar for every pound I carry up Mt. Si while training?  I'll keep all of my training and pledges made logged HERE so you'll know how much you owe...and how much work I'm doing to prepare! Want to make a pledge? Contact me and we'll work out something that fits your budget!
3. Purchase my expertise: A good friend reminded me last spring that I am an expert in the outdoors, and I shouldn't take that for granted. Given that the whole fundraiser is about helping women get out and explore the outdoors, I'd love to make that part of my experience, and this way, you get something out of donating too! Is there something you've never done before, but you'd love to try? Let me help! Chat with me, make an appropriately sized donation, and we'll find a time to make it happen! This is not a female exclusive offer, so let's go out and have some adventures!
   
   Ideas include going for a hike, going on a backpacking trip, car camping in a state or national park, snowshoeing, downhill skiing, plan your own Wonderland trip, gearing up with a "personal shopper" at REI, learn how to set up a tent, kayaking, outdoor meal planning/cooking, or learn how to build a fire (s'mores supplies included). Dream big! I'll supply as much gear as I can to help you get started (or provide you with a gear list), provide transportation or carpooling options if needed, and help you feel confident and comfortable in the outdoors!
4. Attend an event: As a performer and social butterfly, what better way for me to raise money! I'll be producing a comedy show called Stand Up for SheJumps on February 10th (save the date!). I'm also interested in hosting a few get-togethers (how about a Mountain House freeze-dried meal tasting or an outdoorsy movie night?) Stay tuned to my social media, or send me a message to be updated about upcoming events! 

Spite is a powerful form of motivation, but I don't want it to be the only thing pushing me up the hill. So, with each donation, each word of encouragement, and each new experience I get to share, know that you're helping to get me there too (weather permitting). I've known for a while now that I'm an externally motivated person, and right now I am fired up for this climb. I'm thrilled to already have so many people cheering me on, and I'm really looking forward to teaching people new skills to help them learn how to be safe and have fun in their own "backyards" too.

I've done a bit of "Facebook stalking" of the women I'll be climbing with, and at first I was intimidated-- so many of them do so many incredible things: skydiving, rock climbing, back country skiing, teaching yoga, flying planes. You could put together a collection of their profile pictures and have the winter catalog for REI. And then I remembered a tweet I saw recently:

So then I took a moment and scrolled through my own Facebook, and realized that I'm a pretty "intimidating" and incredible woman too. I backpack all the way around mountains, I raft class V rapids, I travel internationally, I snowshoe, I camp whenever I can, I teach high school students, I create, direct, and perform in improvised shows, and I have a pretty decent sized collection of Junior Ranger badges too.

And by July 14th, I'll add "I raise thousands of dollars for non-profits, and I climb fourteeners" to that list.

Get ready Columbia Crest. Here I come!

Adventure #17: Rattlesnake Ledge

As an avid hiker, I consider myself well versed in many trails around the Seattle area, but I had long avoided one of the most popular hikes in the area: Rattlesnake Ledge 


It has a reputation for being overcrowded with inexperienced hikers, and that doesn't exactly sound like it will provide the peaceful solace I crave when I go outdoors. I'm pretty outspoken, and I won't hesitate to chastise people for meadow trampling, littering, or even blasting their music on the trail, but it's usually easier if I just try to avoid the trails where that will happen. However, the end of October was nearing, and I wasn't sure if I'd have a hiking buddy that day, so I figured a trail that was guaranteed to have some other people on it would be a good plan. As it turns out, Adriana was free, and had also never done Rattlesnake Ledge, so we set off for a nice afternoon in the woods!

The hike is lovely and shaded most of the way. Moss covered trees and boulders line the trail which climbs steadily upward. While it's definitely a climb, and it certainly FEELS like a hike, it was not so steep as to be discouraging--and sometimes it's nice to feel like you're doing some work for the reward.

If you look closely, you can see the middle and lower viewpoints from here.

We definitely chose to hike at the right time of year. There were plenty of people on the trail, but there was still space in the parking lot, and everyone out there seemed to be experienced (no hikers in flip-flops, nobody struggling with heat exhaustion, hypothermia, or dehydration, no music blasting from bluetooth speakers) which always makes my trip much more enjoyable.

Hike happy!

What you can't see is that I'm desperately clutching my backpack so it' doesn't fall. I've learned a thing or two about sitting on the edge of a cliff this year...

Adriana and I were both feeling good, so we decided to push on to the upper ledge, rather than the lower one most people stop at. Boy was it worth it! About a half mile more of trail gave us a private viewpoint of our own! The lake at the bottom had dried up at the end of the season, but I'd love to see it full and I may have to re-visit this early in the spring (before everybody else decides it's "hiking season" again).

One of the best parts about a good hike? Good food afterwards. If you're headed out to the Issaquah Alps, be sure to stop at the North Bend Bar and Grill for some killer nachos!

The remnants of a pretzel and a mountain of nachos

My next "adventure" is going to be a big one, so stay tuned!
Hint: It's going to involve a lot of training on the "hill" featured in this picture :)

Adventure #16: Yurt Camping

October can be beautiful with its orange leaves and dramatic grey skies, but it can also be very soggy which sometimes makes it difficult to want to spend time outside. The remedy for this? YURTS!

Grayland Beach State Park is right on the coastline in southwest Washington, and has a plethora of yurt sites available for camping year round. A yurt is a semi-permanent structure with canvas walls that provides a lot more space (and shelter from the rain) than the average tent does. Our particular yurt also came with a set of bunk-beds, a futon, electric lights, and a VERY efficient heater. While I love spending time in my backpacking tent or my car camping tent, I was willing to spend a bit more money to rent a yurt this time around as insurance against a cold, soggy, October evening.

Yurt Bunks!

Our trip gave us the best of all beach trips--the sound of rain against the canvas roof to fall asleep to on Friday night, quaint shops (and wineries to explore) on Saturday, a sunset walk along the shoreline, and a clear Saturday evening for a campfire. The Westport Winery was a great place to enjoy a glass and play on their pitch and putt course. We found a personal succulent garden that was open to the public, and drove out to see the beautiful colors of a cranberry bog too!

This swing is definitely made for small friends.

Did you know that Washington State Parks offer a Junior Ranger program? I didn't either!

Definitely a great place to spend a weekend!