Tag: Hike

• A Place of Zen

  Posted at 7:10 AM by Brittany, on July 11, 2014

  The older I get the more I realize how fluid life is, constantly changing and flowing in different directions. If you’re not prepared to bend and mold with the moving currents, reality tends to slap you in the face.

  

  

  As I stated a few posts ago, blogging has taken a bit of a back seat to other things in my life. Once upon a time I blogged every other day, but now I’m lucky to get 1-2 posts a week in. C’est la vie.

  

  

  

  Between work, school, and spending all my free time in the mountains I have changed my priorities around. Blogging has taken its place in hot seat number four. I stressed about this for all of 2 minutes before I reminded myself why I blog. I blog because I enjoy it, not because I have to.  Blogging is a hobby, to be done when I decide.

  

  

  My latest mountain extravaganza was one that I have wanted to check off my list for a few years now. I attempted to find this trail head in May 2012 (thank you blog archives) but was unsuccessful.

  

  

  

  I couldn’t be happier I tried again because this takes the cake for my favorite hike thus far. The Olympic Mountains have some of the most gorgeous valleys, and talk about breath taking views of the Cascades.

  

  

  Food tastes better up here.

  

  I literally sat in the same spot staring at these mountains for 20 minutes. I was waiting for Julie Andrews to run out from behind one of these hills singing about how they are alive, but she didn’t show.

  If I could build a tiny cabin anywhere in the world this is where it would be. I am either extremely under traveled, or I just adore the area I live in. I’ll say a little bit of both.

  

  

  I know I talk about it a lot, but hiking has really captured my soul lately. So much that I rarely think about running, and instead my thoughts are filled with high trees and snow capped mountains.

  It’s bizarre at times to think about how much my life has changed when it comes to running. I still love it (most of the time), but it’s not like it was when I first started. I feel like I’ve found something in hiking that I can completely call my own. Running has always had a slight connection to a part of my life that changed a long time ago.

  

  This is what I look like at 6280 ft, above the clouds, and with the sun in my face. OH and with a mountain sprouting from my head, look closely! Mt. Baker hat.

  

  I went to the bathroom near a bush with this as my view. I could get used to that.

  I’ve learned to change accordingly with my life as it continues to move forward. I have my moments of reminiscence, but I embrace each day for its own fresh start. Life is good, and I’m in a place of zen.

  

  Really what it all boils down to is perspective. Change your mind, change your life. The mountains look better when you’re at the top.

   Q: How do you handle the unavoidable changes life throws your way?

  

  | 44 Comments Tagged Adventure, Hike, Life, Mount Townsend, Mountain, Washington

• Does It Make Me…

  Posted at 8:37 AM by Brittany, on July 9, 2014

  Does it make me un-American if I say I didn’t watch fireworks on the fourth of July? I did eat some Mac and Cheese though, which I think balances out the former sentence. Vegan of course, and Brittany-fied.

  

  Tomatoes, jalapenos, broccoli, and avocado added to the mix.

  Does it make me innovative for chopping up some chocolate salted almonds for my banana/oat cookies because they’re all I had? I totally turned on the oven despite the 80 degree temps. Priorities.

  

  I just really wanted to use my fancy knives.

  Does it make me a lazy runner for switching from a half marathon to a 5K this weekend? I can’t pretend to be Zues anymore, running 13 miles with zero training just isn’t going to work. So I’ll run 3 miles and then eat donuts as if I ran 13. This sounds much better to me.

  

  This has nothing to do with running a race, but they portray why I am not in running shape. Hiking shoes = hiking instead of running.

  Does it make me inappropriate for saying that due to the aforementioned comment about the warmer temps, I’ve been sleeping with minimal zero clothing? I want to die every night.

  

  Does is make me obsessed if I can’t stop eating/thinking about the flat of raspberries in my kitchen? Local, organic, and only $10!

  

  Does it make me a genius for unintentionally figuring out how to soften dates? I left them in my car and the hot temps made them so perfect. Soft mushy sugary heaven for my crunchy salty rice cake.

  

  Does it make me easy to please if my morning cup of coffee at home right now is already the highlight of my day? I’ve been opening at work every day the last week, and coffee on the go is nothing like coffee at home with nothing but empty, quiet space around you.

  

  Does this make me an acrophile?

  

  Q: Fill in the blank: “Does it make me ________?”

  

  | 61 Comments Tagged Chocolate, Coffee, Does it Make Me, Hike, Mountain, Random, Summer, Vegan

• Adventure Seekers

  Posted at 7:27 AM by Brittany, on June 30, 2014

  Starting tomorrow I am finally headed back to school. I’ve kept my education plans hush for a while because I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but  cats out of the bag-it’s time to get my learn on. With that said, I’ve been soaking up as much adventure as I can.

  In all reality I am only taking one summer class right now, and it’s only two days a week. My schedule will hardly be affected, but any excuse for adventure is a good one in my book! This weekend I had a blast.

  

  I met up with Alex for an exceptional donut and lake walk date. We chatted and walked for a couple hours and it was as if we were old time friends. I just adore her optimistic spirit, what a gem!

  

  We walked roughly 6 miles, and then after I dropped her off I headed back to the lake to get in a run and some more walking.

  

  I ran just around 4 miles, and walked another 2 bringing my total of the morning to about 12 miles. I was ready to destroy a donut.

  

  I could totally get used to running around a gorgeous lake followed by donuts and coffee everyday…ppsh who needs school? Kidding…kind of. I did need some real food though, so I spent my life savings on 1.2 pounds of food from Whole Foods salad bar.

  

  If you’ve never had roasted garlic the size of a small child, you’re missing out.

  The very next day I went for a hike at the mountain near my house. I’ve hiked this trail too many times to count on one hand, so I decided it was time to explore some more. I ended up stepping foot on all four trails of the mountain, adding an additional 1.5 hrs to my hike.

  

  I honestly didn’t have much of an idea where I was, but I knew eventually I would be spit out onto a familiar trail. My friend was along for the ride, and I was sure she wanted to kill me.

  

  The multiple trails took as around the mountain instead of straight up. After finally finding the top, we enjoyed a 20 minute eat/rest.

  

  5 hours and at least 10-11+ miles later we made it down in one piece.

  Today I am headed to Seattle for another bigger mountain hike, stay tuned for a post on that. I also post my hiking adventures to my Instagram if you wanna follow me there..ya know..if ya wanna.

  Q: What is your idea of a fabulous adventure? Good food,  good company, and a GOOD outdoor workout. All wrapped into one day.

  

  | 65 Comments Tagged Adventure, Bloggers, Hike, Seattle

• Granite Mountain – The Ten Essentials

  Posted at 5:12 AM by Brittany, on June 24, 2014

  Last week while exploring the mountains I got lost. Like, I actually got lost…no trail…no familiar sights…just….lost. In the midst of my life flashing before my eyes, I realized how under-prepared I was. It was on this hike I discovered the importance of  the ten essentials.

  

  Driving to the mountain, thick cloud cover…no bueno.

  

  

  Washington hasn’t been playing nice for my last couple hikes, and the fog/cloud covers have been intense. Normally this wouldn’t be an issue, but when a trail is new to you limited visibility isn’t ideal.

  

  

  For the first bit of this hike (on Granite Mountain) things were smooth. Visibility was limited, but the trail was easy enough to follow. It was when the snow hit things started to get sketchy.

  

  

  Climbing up to…blank space.

  

  Thanks to avalanche warnings (yeah, real talk) we took the rocks. Thank God I’ve been doing more yoga because I used my arms to climb like a sea turtle crawling back into the ocean.  A LOT of arms.

   

  

  

  Rock climbing like a boss.

  

  After finally making it to the top I enjoyed what I could see, despite being a bit bummed by the lack of view. I even made a new friend.

  

  I found it ironic that the photo in this hiking book looked exactly like the the foggy scene I was viewing in real life.

  

  Reading about more hiking…

  On the way down is when shit got real.

  Mistake number one: Venturing away from the snow line. There was a rock wall that hugged the snow path, but we veered too much to the right. Lack of visibility made this even worse.

  

  

  Down into the abyss!

  After a short while we were no longer in the right area. The drops got steep, and the path was non existent. Somehow we ventured so far to the right we were on a completely different mountain. A mountain with no paths. I about lost my marbles.

  

  Two hours of wandering, panicking, and contemplating whether I wanted my vegan ways to end due to eating my hiking partners leg.

  Mistake number two: Not enough food/water. Of all things for ME, a FOOD LOVER to fail at…not having enough food. I ate everything I brought by the time I hit the top. Never again…

  I literally had to grab onto deep rooted bushed to avoid falling down the vertical drop. My legs got cut up, and my mind began to wander.

  

  Mistake number 3,4,5,6,7…: No navigation/sunscreen/fire starters/insulation/illuminations…nothing! Just me myself and my empty pack. The goat poop I saw indicated someone was probably freshly hungry after emptying their breakfast, and I was on the menu.

  FINALLY, after somehow catching a connection via Google Earth on a cell phone, we figured out which way to go. GPS is SO necessary in a time like this. Ironically this is when the clouds started to break.

  Not that it helped, with no visuals to base our ascent on, the decent was just as foreign even with visibility.

  

  

  Here’s what I learned: NEVER hike under prepared. No matter HOW easy you think the climb will be. 7.5 hours and over 9 miles later we made it to the car, and I nearly cried. I was legit scared.

  I will be making another trip to REI (my fourth in less than two weeks) to grab some basic essentials to add to my pack. Looking back I can now laugh, & I also appreciate these photos – I think they are great.

  

  Latest purchase, day hike trail shoes. They survived this glorious misadventure.

  

  Q: Have you ever been lost in the mountains before? Suddenly I am reconsidering my desire to thru-hike the PCT. Just kidding, this will happen..but I will be much more prepared, and maybe have a small army with me just to be safe. 

  

  | 62 Comments Tagged Explore, Granite Mountain, Hike, Nature, REI

• Mount Teneriffe – When Hiking Becomes Humbling

  Posted at 5:09 AM by Brittany, on June 16, 2014

  I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I think I’m in pretty good shape. I can easily crank out a 5-6 mile run, I attend multiple spin classes a week, and I’ve upped my yoga to daily sun salutations.

  I just like to keep moving.

  

  With that said, there are times when I am humbled by certain physical activities. Weights? Yea right…don’t even ask me to lift. Saturday I was humbled while on a hike, a hike that took a total of 6 hours.

  

  

  I don’t have many friends these days, by choice. I just don’t know many people that enjoy the activities that I enjoy, and life is too short to waste your time with people that don’t add any value to your life.

  I was fortunate enough to discover one of my old coworkers loves to hike as much as I do, so we’ve been hiking…a lot. I don’t dare go alone..

  

  

  Saturdays hike started out like any other, gradual climb with beautiful views. 3 miles in was a series of waterfalls,  the perfect “calm before the storm” of the climb to come. I had no idea what I was in store for.

  

  

  

  This is the spot most people turn around at. Well, I’m not most people and I wanted to see the top. Time to activate incline glutes. My hiking partner thought it would be a good idea to bring a 20+lb bag. I thought it would be a good idea to try and carry it. I lasted 10 min.

  

  Into the clouds we go.

  

  Bag of death.

  The straight up climb to the summit felt like it lasted for hours. It took us forever to get to the top because the pace was S.L.O.W. So steep. As with all climbs though, the accomplishment is indescribable.

  The view at the top was…well…white. We were legit inside of a cloud.

  

  

  A bit further down.

  I never doubted that I would make it to the top, but man was it tough!

  

  This was the first time I had hiked into the night, it was dark by the time we made it back to the car. I wasn’t too worried, I found a potential new house to live in when I move to the Seattle area.

  

  Who wants to throw a housewarming party in here?

  

  My neighbors house. Birds, or possibly a jackalope.

  Overall this hike was about 7.5 miles round trip, with an elevation of 4800ft. I think the fact it took 6 hours tells you enough in itself.

  

  What’d I learn this time? 20+ lb bags slow you down, and quitting is never an option. Unless you get eaten by a bear.

  

  

  Q: Do you like steep climbs, or gradual climbs? I like both…on the same hike. I want to feel the burn, get a small reprieve, THEN BURN AGAIN! 

  

  | 49 Comments Tagged Explore, Hike, Mount Teneriffe, Nature

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 3:53 AM by Brittany, on June 11, 2014

  1. My one year Starbucks anniversary was May 28th, and my assistant manager made me the happiest barista in all the land…

  

  Love this company and LOVE my coworkers. I couldn’t ask for a better crew,

  2. I’m really lazy when it comes to using my dSLR for anything other than recipe photo shoots, as you’ll see in this post-iPhone photos.

  3. I’ve learned some pretty epic shit about coffee. So close…

  

  4. I’m also really lazy about reading/commenting on blogs lately. I promise I still lurk, and I still love all my blog babes, but I just kinda fell off the reading wagon. I publish my posts and fly out the door.

  5. If you’ve been keeping up with my posts lately you’ll know I’ve been doing more hiking than running. I went for two 5 mile “zen” runs without my Garmin or music last week and it was magical.

  

  6.  I spent $37 on this pizza. I worked all morning and then hiked two mountains to earn that “drain your life savings” pizza.

  7. I was lusting over a jacket at REI for months, and it finally went on super duper sale. I bought it a size bigger than normal because I didn’t try it on, and basically I am free to roam without pants when I wear it.

  

  so.legit.

  

  Jacket or mini dress, you decide. I’m obsessed regardless.

  8. I won two giveaways in one week. Does this make it socially acceptable to say “winning?” Because it’s literal….

  9. I am obsessed with these snacks right now…whoever said rice cakes were “diet food” clearly never had them smothered in almond butter. The crunchy/creamy/fruit sugar combo is unreal.

  The almond butter/cinnamon/dates combo is like dessert.

  10. I haven’t had a cupcake in weeks, I need to rectify this.

  **UPDATE** Moments after I wrote this post (because I sometimes save a draft for a few days) I went hiking with a friend and SHE BROUGHT ME A CUPCAKE. It was like the heavens opened up.

  Scenes from that hike…

  

  Oh HEY Mt.Rainier, I’d like to dominate you someday.

  

  Leftover pizza tastes even better at the top.

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 58 Comments Tagged Coffee, Confessions, Hike, Random, Run, Starbucks, Vegan

• Mount Si – How Hiking Relates to Life

  Posted at 7:50 AM by Brittany, on June 2, 2014

  I’m not sure where my running bug went, but I don’t care to find it anytime soon. OK, so that’s not entirely true. I still think about running all the time, I just don’t DO IT all the time. Instead I have been filling my soul with the trees and rocks of mountains.

  

  OH HEY that’s me! Standing on a mountain and stuff.

  I’ve always been able to relate my running endeavors to life, and in all reality any difficult physical activity can probably relate to life in a round about way. Since hiking is my adventure of choice these days it just seems fitting to reflect on how a difficult climb can mean so much.

  

  Mt. Si –  4 miles up, 4 miles down. Beautiful 8 mile hike.

  

  Last Thursday I made my way to a new hiking location, which will be a common theme on the blog during the summer months. I’ve been lucky enough to find a couple friends that are willing to hike weekly.

  Life Lesson One: Conquering a new mountain is like letting new and exciting changes occur in your everyday life. Getting out of your comfort zone is good for the mind, body, AND soul.

  

  

  These woods were quiet, peaceful, and aside from conversation with my hiking partner, they offered alone time with thoughts.

  Life Lesson Two: Quieting the outside world, and learning to quiet the mind is powerful. Chaos internally causes chaos externally.

  

  

  Sometimes the climb gets tough, this one was moderate, and while my heart-rate spiked I never felt like I needed to stop. Keep moving.

  Life Lesson Three: Pushing through tough times often leads to beautiful things, or views. Don’t give into the desire to quit.

  

  

  

  Life Lesson Four: Sometimes making new friends happens when you least expect it. Embrace and delight in those around you everyday.

  

  

  

  I was so scared…

  Life Lesson Five: Curve-balls are common, and being mentally prepared to handle them confidently will make a world of difference. You cannot prepare for everything. Things like changes at work, or a ballsy bird trying to steal your well deserved sandwich.

  

  Quick side note/story. That bird ^^^^ legit tried to steal my sandwich and scared me so hard I almost fell. I was in such a zone of pure bliss due to finding the peak/eating that I didn’t even see it coming.

  

  Life Lesson Six: Perspective is everything. Change your mind, change your life. Sometimes it’s not what you see, but how you see it.

  

  Life Lesson Seven: In the end, after fighting and climbing to the top of the hike or closing the page of a difficult chapter, you reward yourself, because you’re worth every slice of chocolate cake and tofu stir fry. You’re tougher and stronger than you first might think.

  

  

  I actually ate this BEFORE the hike, because obviously cake and coffee is the right choice for fueling…

  Life Lesson Eight: Never.Give.Up. Never stop exploring, and never stop growing. Fight until you reach the top, and life will find a way of sparkling and gleaming in a way you’d never expected.

  Lately my days have looked like a unicorn sharted glitter all over me.

  Q: How does hiking/running/swimming/anything physical (keep it PG guys) relate to life for you?

  

  | 57 Comments Tagged Explore, Hike, Hiking, Life, Mount Si, Mountain, Nature

• Making my Meals Taste Better

  Posted at 6:12 AM by Brittany, on May 30, 2014

  I find that food takes so much better when I “earn it.” I always like to earn my treats such as cupcakes, cookies, or cupcakes AND cookies, but getting a good sweat in before an actual meal is just as rewarding. Running is my go to when I want to earn something like this…

  

  

  Local GF/Vegan chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes. Ohhh my swoon.

  These were savored and swooned over after a morning run.

  Another way I like to earn my meals is with a solid hike. I’ve been able to squeeze a good hike in every week lately, sometimes two in one week. My favorite local mountain is an easy default and after 9 miles on my feet and 3.5hrs in the heat/sun I head straight for food.

  

  View from the top.

  

  View from the restaurant.

  Sunshine and open decks mean sunnies and lots of water.

  I ordered a vegetable curry bowl, because for some reason I like hot foods even on hot days. I also always drink hot coffee, never iced.

  Can’t say I claim to be normal.

  

  Not a fan of the white rice, but I ate every last bit.

  I didn’t even attempt to use those chopsticks on the side of my bowl, give me a fork STAT. I usually give chopsticks my best shot despite looking like a sloth trying to pick up a piece of rice, but I was much too hungry for that nonsense. This meal was devoured. Moving on…

  I’ve been doing a lot of yoga lately. I start every morning with 10 minutes of sun salutations, and go to a class at least once a week-Ideally twice. I enjoy eating something light, but filling after a yoga class. Tofu spring rolls always hit the spot.

  

  Last, but certainly not least refueling after spin class always varies. Early morning spin classes usually result in a cous cous veggie bowl, and evening spin classes result in something lighter like a snack bowl.

  Early morning spin classes also earn me my coffee.

  

  

  Starbucks reserve coffee is such a rare treat!

  

  How I really feel.

  The Starbucks I work at is not a Reserve Store, so I don’t get to have reserve coffee as often as I would like. Anytime I find myself near a reserve store I get myself a clover brewed reserve coffee.

  I love coffee, I love to eat, and I love getting my sweat on. Life is good.

  Q: Would you agree that meals taste better after a good workout?

  

  | 62 Comments Tagged Coffee, Hike, Hiking, Run, Spinning, Starbucks, Vegan, Yoga

• Green Mountain – Par Baked

  Posted at 7:56 AM by Brittany, on May 26, 2014

  I was a hiking machine this weekend. Between Saturday and Sunday I conquered 18 total miles of pure nature bliss. Hiking season is here.

  

  

  

  

  I just can’t get enough!

  Along the way I found Sasquatch.

  

  Ah, nope that’s just me. I assure you this balancing act was much harder than it looks. I debated walking across the log for a whole second and quickly shoved that idea south. I decided I wanted to live.

  

  

  Post Sat. hike I came home and made myself the most epic pizza. I had been craving pizza for WEEKS, and finally got around to “sorta” kinda making some. I say sorta because this was a “semi” homemade pizza.

  

  I usually like to make my dough from scratch, but I also like to try new things. I snagged this gluten free flatbread on my last trip to TJ’s and OH MY it was good! I was pleasantly surprised. I mentioned a while back that too much wheat causes my stomach to rebel, so I limit my intake on breads. Next time I’ll try making my own GF dough.

  

  Most people can’t live without cheese on their pizza, for me it’s potatoes. Two years ago (I love blogging because I can dig back in my archives for moments like this) I was introduced to potatoes on pizza and I never looked back…ever. I’ve had them on every pizza since.

  First time using sweet taters, and all I have to say is yes. Just yes. I baked my sweet potatoes, my beets, and my garlic in the oven before my hike to ensure they were ready when I came home ravenous.

  For this I just sliced them thin, wiped my pan with coconut oil, topped with a little sea salt and baked at 375 for about 45 min – an hour. The garlic will need to come out after about 20 minutes. I also cheated on this pizza and used a store bought sauce! All kinds of crazy over here.

  

  I am in love with these Bolani sauces!! They are amazing, and they are LEGIT using minimal ingredients. I love making my own sauces/pesto and as a vegan I usually have to, but these are a fun treat and I totally approve of the nutritional stats/ingredients.  Random Costco find!

  

  I could have definitely eaten two.

  

  Q: Who’s embracing the hiking season!?

  

  | 47 Comments Tagged Adventure, Hike, Hiking, Pizza, Recipe, Trader Joes, Vegan

• To Each His Own

  Posted at 6:46 AM by Brittany, on December 30, 2013

  I’m a drip coffee lover through and through. Flavored coffee isn’t my thing, and don’t even think about adding any syrups to my black cup of bliss. Every so often I do branch out of my black coffee hole and I get a latte.  A double short half decaf soy extra foamy latte to be exact. Oh yeah, I’m one of those people.

  

  How’s my handwriting?

  I am very aware that not everyone likes their coffee black as night. Strong, thick, dark, and intense doesn’t always suit everyone, but when I can see through my coffee something needs to be done. I usually make my coffee in a french press, so it’s easy to make strong.

  

  After discovering my family likes their coffee a bit different than me, I knew just what to do. I decided to go for a run, and you’ll never guess where I ended up.

  

  Oh look..Starbucks!

  I like my coffee dark, but I don’t always want a lot of caffeine (fun fact: the darker the roast the less the caffeine, the lighter the roast the more the caffeine.) so to get a richer flavor without added caffeine I got some decaf VIA packs to add to my morning brew.

  

  Perfect addition for a strong flavor, without the added jitters.

  

  Same cup of coffee, but with the added VIA packet. Dark and bold. Round trip the run was about 5 miles and I had some wonderful views throughout. I’m loving the sun.

  

  Living so close to not only Starbucks, but also to Sprouts is a perfect excuse for a run. I came home and enjoyed the great views from my dads back patio. Great place to enjoy a dark cup of coffee. Just enough to fuel me for a bike ride, and an afternoon hike!!

  

  Q: Do you like to run/walk/bike to the store for things you need? I LOVE to.

  

  | 52 Comments Tagged Adventure, Coffee, Hike, Random, Running, Starbucks

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• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

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