Tag: Hiking

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 4:00 AM by Brittany, on March 13, 2017

  1. I’m going to Ireland in just over two months, and I’m anxious about driving. I am committed to learning how to properly read a map, but please have mercy on my soul if you see me on the wrong side of the road. #forgivemeimamerican

  2. I recently changed my work schedule so that I only have to go into the city two days a week. That gives me five days to do other things like wander the supermarket and read with second graders. Oh and school, lot’s of school.

  3. Twice a week I give my cat subcutaneous fluids for kidney disease. I’d rather work an extra 15 hour day (these are how long my work days are) than do this. Ever. I hate it every time.

  4. I haven’t washed my hair in over three weeks. This is the longest I’ve ever gone without slathering toxic chemicals into my palms and rubbing them all over my scalp. I love having short hair, I’m on a quest to see how long I can go. The longer I go without shampoo the better it holds/looks. 

  5. I also don’t wear deodorant. Haven’t for a while. In lieu of the smell covering spread I used baking soda. I stick my fingers in the crack like powder and then pat the pits. Works like a charm. Usually. My cats don’t seem to notice. #singlelife

  6. Since I’m on a roll here with natural care talk I also skip out on toothpaste. Instead I use a drop of peppermint or wintergreen essential oil. My teeth never feel this clean with toothpaste. Currently using wintergreen.

  

  7. I experimented with a new way of washing my shirts. I let them soak in cold water for a couple days. That’s it. I’ve not yet tested this for workout clothes because those contain an entirely different beast in their fibers (no deodorant remember?), but everyday items are refreshed with just a soak!

  8. This stuff is like crack for my skin.

  

  9. I’ve come to terms with the fact I may never love running, but what I do love is the way it makes me feel. This helps me do it more often even if just for 20 minutes. The sweat sesh and serotonin boost is much needed.

  10. I’ve decided it’s time for me to take a break from blogging. I don’t know for how long, I just know it feels right to step away for a bit. I presume when the sun comes out full time and I find myself in the mountains this summer I’ll be excited to share my adventures.

  Until then, you can find me here.  ❤

  

  Pure summer bliss.

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 72 Comments Tagged Early Morning Confessions, Hiking, Hippies, Ireland, Running, Starbucks

• Coffee and Compadres

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on February 21, 2017

  Last Wednesday I celebrated another year of life. 365 more days of sunrises and sunsets, 365 more days of coffee sips and cupcake eats, 365 more days of snuggles with my cats, and 365 more days dreaming of the mountains.

  

  I’ve never been one to take off of work for my birthday, however I don’t work Wednesdays right now. I decided to spend “the day my mom blessed the earth with my presence” by combining three of my favorite things: coffee, cupcakes, and hiking.

  

  My hiking partner, who also happens to be my work partner, but most definitely not my life partner, took the day off of work to spend the day with me exploring. We left at 07:00 and we were stuck in traffic far longer than either of us would have hoped.

  As one of the many cars aggregated together on the road I found multiple reasons to smile, the most obvious being that I was not on my way to work like the majority of those around me. Another reason was the delirium that started to take over my brain from sitting too long. A pit stop at Starbucks nearby our destination was in order to fill up my tumbler.

  Waiting until we were close to our location ensured the coffee was still warm upon our arrival at the summit.

  

  

  The forecast called for rain, and despite the fact I never quite know if this is going to be true in Washington or not, it did indeed rain. In fact, it was somewhat of a downpour most of our hike. Thankfully it was warm enough outside that the rain wasn’t uncomfortable.

  Dare I say it was fun?

  

  My right hand man was kind enough to stow my cupcake in his pack because I carried the coffee in mine. In all my years hiking I’ve yet to drink coffee at the summit of a mountain. It was time for this to change, and a birthday seemed like the perfect day to change this.

  

  

  Hiking alone is great, and I often prefer it, but when I’m alone I don’t have anyone around to capture my true beauty as these candid outtakes showcase. The rain was a nice touch giving me a true drowned rat look.

  

  

  My name is Brittany, I am 28 years old, and I have zero shame. 

  I chose an easy hike, only 4 miles RT taking two hours of our time. This time of year I tend to stay away from the snow packed peaks, I’m still traumatized from this adventure.

  

  I’m humbled when I embark on a hike that was once easy as slicing pie, and find that it winds me. Instead of letting this destroy my mental peace I use it as motivation to get back to a place of strength that I know I am capable of. This hike was doable, and I surely could have kept going, but there were moments I found myself out of breath.

  A few days prior I embarked on a local 9.5 mile RT hike, one that took 4 hours. This hike was tiring, but in different ways. Just as running challenges different muscles than swimming, hiking trails of differing elevations and distances challenges different areas of my body. My birthday hike challenged my heart rate more, and the longer local hike challenged my hip flexors more. I love variety.

  

  Local hike views.

  

  I bought myself a new pair of day hike shoes thanks to REI’s garage sale. They were worn maybe once, and returned because they were “too heavy.” Similar to my previous day hikers I snagged these hideous pink/red walkers for $100 less than what they would have been brand new. Sold. I tested them out on the 9.5 miler, because I like to test my pain threshold.

  

  I love birthdays because they remind me that life continues to fly by, even when we feel like it’s stagnant. It’s never too late to take control of what we want to do with our time, who we want to spend it with, and how we plan to achieve happiness.

  As each day passes for me I become more in tune with what I want my life to look like, but my favorite part is that I become more accepting of the inevitable changes life entails. The ups and downs are all necessary, the emotions and trials we experience are normal, and the gut feelings we have are usually right. They all work together to write the stories of our lives. Are you living yours in a way that others would want to read about?

  Q: What’d you do for your last birthday? Post hike I ate my body weight in Thai food, and regret nothing. Autoimmune diseases take a back seat on birthdays. HA.

  

  | 75 Comments Tagged Birthday, Coffee, Cupcake, Explore, Hiking, PNW, Rattlesnake Ridge, Vegan

• What I Learned in California

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on November 15, 2016

  As I recap my recent travels to California this past week, I’d like to share my latest learning’s. Knowledge is power after all. Here we go.

  1. Shoving all your stuff into one medium sized back pack while traveling makes the transition from one state to another SO.MUCH.SMOOTHER. I’ve been using this bag for week longs trips for a few years now. Minimalism = less stress.

  

  2. Driving on the freeways of California are not nearly as terrifying as I anticipated. I even managed to keep up with the locals. 80 is the new 60.

  3. California continues to KILL IT with the vegan eats. If I were a rodent I would never leave the dumpsters behind the below restaurants.

  

  Peace Pies – San Diego

  

  Peace Pies – San Diego

  

  Native Foods – Carlsbad

  

  Native Foods – Carlsbad

  

  Choice Superfood Bar & Juicery – San Diego

  5. I love Washington. This isn’t new, but I’m always reminded when I travel away from my home state why I love it so much. The fresh air is unbeatable. Thank you trees, keep trapping toxins in your trunks.

  6. I learned what the Santa Ana winds are. Aka abnormal heat waves. Running at 7:30pm, in the dark, and it was 80 degrees!

  

  7. I’m not as anti social as I thought. I made a gaggle of new friend this weekend. It was swell. This helped me appreciate my alone time when I got home. #recharge.

  8. Trails in California are not like trails in Washington. They have their own kind of uniqueness, but nothing compares to the peaks in my area. Tried to hike multiple (baby/under 2k’ elevation) mountains, but due to above mentioned Santa Ana, fire warnings were high.

  Managed one adventure in the mountains to watch the sunrise.

  

  

  9. Toilets are not always porcelain. I went to a restaurant with all black toilets and they made my bum feel extra fancy. Pinky up.

  10. Running on the beach is no joke. No joke at all. I’m no road runner, but my pace slowed from a 10min/mile to a TWELVE minute mile (and some change) once I found my feet in the sand. Was great.

  

  11. Two more people told me I look like Ashley Judd. Puts my tally over ten people now. I’m thinking about quitting my job and moving to Vegas to be a stand in wax statue for Ashley.

  12. I really, really, really don’t like makeup, but I do like fancy hair. Being a bridesmaid means you get fancy hair and ten pounds of make up. I had more make up on my face in one night then I typically have in one year. I’m still washing it off three days later.

  

  

  

  

  More wedding photos and shenanigans to come. 

  Q: Fancy hair, or fancy face? Definitely hair. I really want to chop mine off so it’s short like these photos. 

  | 61 Comments Tagged Ashley Judd, California, Hiking, Running, Vegan, Wedding

• Since You’ve Been Gone

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on August 24, 2016

  *Two weeks later*

  I didn’t plan to disappear from this space for so long, but whenever I had a free moment the last thing I wanted to do was bust out my computer. I now know what it’s like to want nothing to do with technology at the end of the day.

  

  I go from work, where I stare at a computer all day (I do have a standing desk though, so that’s a big fat sugary win) to my house where I then stare at the computer for school work. Needless to say when I have some free time I am outside starting at trees.

  

  Work, work, work, work, work.

  So what have I been up to the last two weeks?

  —I got to meet Annie, her sweet partner Kel, and her adorable pup Ike. We had lunch, and walked around a lovely Seattle lake. We chatted like old friends and she gifted me the most adorable painted photo of Ike. What really sold the deal was when she suggested the photo below. She’s good people…and those curls are too legit.

  

  —I made an executive decision to do 90% of my shopping at thrift stores in an attempt to further expand my minimalistic mind. I was able to find some solid wins. The other 10% is usually at REI, they always suck me in.

  —My camping compadre Jessica and I escaped to Mount Zion yesterday. She’s the kind of girl that keeps you grounded, the kind that you just need in your life. Always a fun adventure with that one. This trip didn’t involve stripping and spooning, so it was much more casual than our last adventure.

  

  

  —I bought and returned two new Garmin watches. I just couldn’t let go of my original true love. I now have the mindset of “earning back” $440 so I will probably spend that on camping gear.

  —I had two awesome solo hikes where I found myself mesmerized by a lake at the end of each of them. I looked like Mowgli when he first met Kaa, only the lake wasn’t singing to me. I went to Annette Lake and Snow Lake. Snow lake always steals the show though.

  

  

  

  This is the kind of view that has you questioning why there are people in the world that dislike being outdoors. I found a dime on this hike which makes for the second time I’ve found money while hiking.

  

  Annette lake it great too, but not nearly as photogenic. I did however encounter an extinct inter-species love affair. Only in the woods…

  

  — I didn’t run a single time, and loved every moment of it.

  — I ate a non vegan cinnamon roll and loved every moment of that too.

  

  — I finished and started two semesters for school in a matter of a few days. Can’t stop, won’t stop.

  — I spend 10 days with Gizmo the cow dog and was like a 12 yr old child when reunited with my cat. #catladyforlife.

  

  —Went against everything I said in my opening paragraph and watched at least six hours of Netflix. Mindless computer time doesn’t count.

  Q: What’s your current Netflix binge?

  

  | 82 Comments Tagged Adventure, Annette Lake, Explore, Garmin, Gizmo, Hiking, Mount Zion, Snow Lake, Starbucks

• Ira Springs Trail – Mason Lake

  Posted at 6:56 AM by Brittany, on June 6, 2016

  It’s here, it’s here! Summer is *almost* here! 

  

  I used to be neutral about summer, and then one year I discovered my love for hiking. The longer and warmer days made these hikes more doable and more enjoyable.

  

  

  Last Tuesday I kicked off the season with a solo hike to Mason Lake. I had never been to the lake before, but I had been to Bandera Mountain which shares the same beginning of the trail. I’ll never forget the hike to Bandera because the bug swarms were out of control, and Tuesday was even worse.

  I was like one of those barn animals with fly’s swarming their faces. 

  

  The beginning of the hike was familiar, with steep hills and rock fields. I was breathing like a labored donkey thinking to myself how out of shape I am, but after passing 6 people I realized perhaps I was trying to bulldoze up the mountain too fast.

  I’m still somewhat out of shape though. 

  

  

  This hike was a much needed soul revival. Summer months bring out my desires to explore, and when I explore I feel balanced and centered. Insert “ommmmm” chants here.

  

  

  The trail climbs 4300 ft into the sky providing amazing panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including the ever so gorgeous Mount Rainier as shown above. Conditions this time of year were fine, just a few trees down towards the lake that allowed me to practice my show horse leaps.

  

  

  I did feel a bit nostalgic missing my hiking partner from the last adventure to this area, but I very much enjoyed being on my own clock. Solo hikes mean bathrooms are everywhere, and sweaty hot mess appearances are no big deal.

  Actually let’s be real, sweaty hot messes are never a big deal in the mountains.

  

  Fun fact: my nostrils are shaped differently.

  

  

  The lake was so still and quiet you could have heard a pin drop. Plenty of giardia looking water too.

  

  

  

  I sat. I savored. 

  

  

  Great view of Bandera mountain.

  

  One of the things I love about hiking, aside from the immediate sense of accomplishment and relaxation, is that it inspires me to be creative. For me this is something as simple as taking photos, and sharing them in this space.

  

  

  

  It’s imperative for our well being to find things we are passionate about and to DO THEM. Make the time, because nothing is more important than self care.

  Q: What inspires you to be creative?

  

  | 62 Comments Tagged Bandera Mountain, Hiking, Mason Lake, Solo Hike

• Full Speed Ahead

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on April 7, 2016

  Every so often I become obsessed with certain things. Its a constant rotation of phases that I go through, and when I get into a new routine of obsession I go full speed ahead.

  Case in point – I don’t eat out much unless it’s at the Whole Foods hot bar because I usually feel like I was hit by an airborne sword fish after I’m done. That being said, I tried a Vietnamese restaurant by my work on Monday and it was so good I did everything in my power to go back on Tuesday.

  

  Ob-sessed.

  To work up an appetite for the above bowl of tongue explosions I went for a hike. I went to the same mountain I hiked last time, because it’s quick yet steep. Not steep like this, but steep enough to show me how out of shape I am.

  

  Similar views as usual, but with a nice cloud cover. I love the way the mountains only slightly peek through under the fluff. I am planning to consistently do this hike because I want to watch my time improve.

  It’s been a while since I’ve set a physical goal and this seems like a good one. I may breathe like a labored baboon right now, but full speed ahead I go!

  

  

  When I’m at my peak with hiking obsessions I usually drive 2+ hours one way to get to a hike. Go big or go home. This hike is just under an hour away, making it more manageable for a last minute adventure.

  

  Spontaneity is my middle name when it comes to decisions. When I plan in advance I usually want to cancel, so sometimes being impulsive pays off. Like when I decided to finally finish school…again.

  I literally had a thought enter my mind one day in December, and by the next day I was registered. No time to think about it – full speed ahead.

  I regret nothing.

  

  If I could study how to make money by eating and hiking I would. It’s a good thing I don’t buy a lot of stuff because all my money goes towards gas and food.

  

  I think I’ll just keep running in mall parking lots because it’s almost a guarantee I’ll find a penny or three. Whatever it takes to fund my spontaneous adventures.

  

  After work today I’ll be going on a NEW to me hike, and I will neither confirm nor deny my plans to get Vietnamese foods post climb. Aye aye, full speed ahead.

  Q: Are you a fan of Vietnamese cuisine? 

  

  | 54 Comments Tagged Hike, Hiking, Mount Walker, Running, Vegan, Whole Foods

• Springtime Sunshine

  Posted at 9:30 AM by Brittany, on April 4, 2016

  When the sun shines bright in the pacific northwest us Washingtonians come out from our dungeons like a zombie chasing human flesh. It doesn’t rain as much as people think, but it IS grey a lot. I’ve come to love the grey skies, they add to the lush green scenery, but this winter was much too long for me.

  

  I like to think I’m always butterflies and glitter, but this winter knocked me straight on my ass. I am more than ready for the sun to come back for the feel good vibes, but what I love most about this time of year is the way the sun hits the snowy mountain tops.

  Instant happiness.

  

  I’ve been soaking up my vitamin D with a couple hikes, and a handful of runs.

  

  I’ve been moderately lazy lately, and by moderately I mean immensely. My running has taken place inside on my treadmill because it’s more convenient, but I spent the last week house sitting which forced me outside.

  

  My house mate.

  My outdoor runs have been invigorating, but they’ve also reminded me of a few things. First and foremost I don’t love running the way I used to. I enjoy running 3-6 miles on my own terms, but the last two times I’ve tried to sign up for a half marathon in an attempt to kick my fanny into shape have backfired.

  

  I just don’t enjoy running longer distances on my own, and it’s time I accept that. Once every so often I’ll want to bust out an 8 miler, but that’s rare these days. Plus sometimes I would rather be doing things like hiking, biking or even just walking.

  

  Lucky for me I get paid to walk 3x a week with that good lookin cow dog.

  

  With all that said I look forward to more hikes and bike rides as the sun continues to fuel my cells with its power. I had planned to run a half marathon in Portland in two weeks, but my training has been inconsistent so I decided to run the 10k instead.

  Best decision I made all week. I get to go to Portland, I get to run a distance I love, and I get to breath easy knowing I can run 6 miles no sweat. OK, a little bit of sweat. It’s true that when you try to force something you end up avoiding it. When running is forced and I don’t listen to my desires for other movement I end up skipping all together.

  No bueno.

  

  It feels good to honor thoughts and feelings. Our bodies have a unique way of letting us know what we need. The signals start quiet, but if you ignore them (like I tend to do) eventually they scream at you. I must work on listening for the quiet signals before they come at me like a howler monkey in heat.

  On a less serious note school is great, work is the same, my need for a metal detector to find coins in the grass has increased, and I’ve finally bonded on a deeper level with my best friend. By swapping faces.

  

  I’m just gonna leave that there…

  Q: Did winter come in and steal your soul like it did mine? 

  

  | 91 Comments Tagged Cats, Explore, Hiking, Mount Walker, Mountain, Running, Spring

• Balanced Isolation Leads to Peaceful Understanding

  Posted at 11:00 AM by Brittany, on March 15, 2016

  I want to hug each and every one of you that commented on my last post. It’s sometimes scary opening your heart and soul to a sea of people, but I am thankful that I have never once received a negative comment on my blog. The community we have built here is one I am happy to be apart of, even when I don’t blog as often.

  I adore having this space to share bits of my life.

  

  I want to say thank you for all the kind words shared the last handful of years, and while my blog is just a small speck in a sea of whales I appreciate anyone that stops by. I read and reply to EACH comment, so if you ever ask a question please be sure to check back in for my reply!

  I don’t have the fancy capabilities to have my reply sent to your email, so we just have to put in a little work to engage in conversation in my neck of the woods.

  

  SPEAKING OF woods, I took myself on a solo hike last Tuesday and it was one for the books. A complete spirit, mind, and body renewal.

  I finished my set of classes about a week and a half ago and I tried to get a small bit of exploring in before starting back up again today. My first round went smashingly well, and it was nice to take a non school related book with me into the mountains.

  

  I’m currently reading Amy Poehler’s book “Yes Please” and it’s both entertaining and inspirational all wrapped into one. I was fortunate enough to have this spot of the trail to myself for a while, until a fellow reader came and sat down. It was like our own unannounced book club. Reading different books. Not speaking.

  Just go with it. 

  To balance out this solo adventure I made plans to hangout with a friend a few days later. Like a real life human friend, but first I had to give some love to my main man.

  

  Since I’m trying to push myself out of the isolated bubble human interaction is necessary, but the allure of the silence while walking with animals is one I will never outgrow. There is something special about not being alone, but also not speaking.

  Does that make sense? I’m sounding crazier by the minute.

  

  

  I had quite the adventure once reunited with my friend. At lunch I was served beef after ordering a vegan burger, and then I was blindfolded by a towel while laying on a stingy recliner at a $25 foot massage/full body abuse chamber. The beauty of being balanced is that moments like this are easy to laugh at. I thank my solo hike.

  I also thank my running, even when inconsistent.

  

  Mistakes happen, and why people get worked up when they do is beyond me. I will never be the person to demand a free meal from a mistake, or not leave a tip because my “masseuse” was training for his next cage fight on my arm.

  So what’s today’s takeaway?

  Before letting your own mental distress hurt someone else, put yourself in their shoes. Have you never messed something up before? Have you never upset another person? Have you done something to be given the right to treat people rudely because you feel you’re entitled to? We are all in this world together and should all be treated the same.

  

  In all honesty though I won’t be adventuring to a cheap sketchy massage place again anytime soon, but the memory is one I will laugh at for years.

  Q: Allergy concerns aside, take a moment to think about how you would react if your food order was messed up. Is it really worth it to cause a big scene? My waiter was extremely embarrassed and apologetic, had he been rude perhaps it would have been a different story, but we each treated each other with respect and called it a day. 

  

  | 79 Comments Tagged Adventure, Hiking, Life, Running, Solo Hike, Vegan

• Solo Hiking – Why and How I Do it

  Posted at 8:40 AM by Brittany, on August 10, 2015

  Escaping to the mountains is by far one of my favorite things to do. I have a lifestyle that allows me to up and go practically anytime I want, but for others that’s not always conducive. Sometimes I make decisions last minute.

  

  Brittany, party of one.

  

  Fortunately for me, I sometimes prefer embarking on my hiking adventures alone.

  

  

  

  Melakwa lake was my recent destination of choice for a solo hike, an alpine lake nestled comfortably at the end of a 4.25 mi climb, and at 4600ft. On the way up my mind was being used to tell my lungs to inflate and deflate, but on the way down my mind filled with thoughts of why I enjoy solo hiking.

  

  

  There are many reasons why I hike solo, and there are also a handful of ways “how” I hike solo. While I know it may not be for everyone, it’s something I’d encourage if the thought has every crossed your mind. My only advice is to be prepared.

  Here are a few of my how and why’s.

  
  How(H) and Why(W) I Solo Hike

  • H: I always eat a large balanced breakfast. Always.
  • W: I love being on my own schedule, moving at my own pace, and venturing off on any (well marked) path I want.

  

  • H: I always read up on whatever trail I’m interested in before I go. Things like trail reports/conditions, distance, path information, things to expect and so on. This helps reduce any unknown surprises.
  • W: I work a job that requires a lot of talking, sometimes it’s nice to not talk. Aside from the greetings I provide fellow hikers. I crave alone time.

  

  The common stop spot for families. Thankfully the rest of the hike I was to myself a lot.

  • H: I tend to go on Sunday’s, a day I know there will be other hikers. I also go to hikes I presume will be populated enough that I’m not completely alone, but alone enough to have long stretches without seeing others.
  • W: Being alone means I don’t have to shower before I go, despite all the onions I ate the day before seeping out of my pores. I can also let any air trapped in my stomach escape. Beans, beans, the magical fruit.

  

  Fungus umungus.

  • H: I ALWAYS let someone know where I am going, and when to expect me home. By someone I mean my mom.
  • W: There is something immensely freeing about being alone on a mountain. Not like being alone in sketchy woods, that’s different. Being alone with nature (and enough fellow hikers that I feel safe from boogie men) gives me so much peace and I feel more alive in these moments than any other.

  

  • H: I always carry the essentials. Food, water, a knife, mace, a whistle/light, a poncho, nun-chucks, matches, sunscreen, my phone, beef jerky for Sasquatch. The knife I carry could use an upgrade though, if anyone wants to send one my way I’ll happily accept.
  • W: Independence, mental clarity, accomplishments, learning new things about myself, inner strength, inner peace, inner love–I’m a crunchy granola.
    

    Always in my hand, just in case.

  • H: My head is constantly swiveling, and I don’t get too lost in my thoughts. It’s easy to get distracted by all the beauty, but being aware of my surroundings keeps me safe. Falling branches are my nemesis.
  • W: I am my best when I feel strong and confident. I’m also my best when no one hears how heavy I’m breathing while climbing hills in 90+ degrees.

  
  

  • H: I always go early, ensuring that I have plenty of daylight should I somehow get off track. I also try to never get off track.
  • W: Solo hiking allows me to practice my terrible selfie skillz.

  

  I was going for 1980’s solo prom pose.

  

  

  • H: I listen to the cricket in my head. Pinocchio taught me not to listen to talking foxes, but also to let my conscious be my guide. The voice in your head and the feeling in your gut–listen to it. 
    
  • W: I can use the wilderness bathroom anytime. I can actually do this when I’m not solo too, but it’s a tad bit easier when I’m alone.

  

  

  

  

  I think that’ll do for now, but if you’re still not convinced solo hiking is for you I’ll leave you with this: No one will see you take the shoes you find mid trail.

  

  Just kidding, those weren’t my size.

  Q: Do you/have you/would you solo hike? If yes, what are your tips and tricks?

  

  | 65 Comments Tagged Adventure, Alpine Lake, Hiking, Melakwa Lake, Solo Hike, Washington

• Mount Rainier

  Posted at 7:46 AM by Brittany, on July 7, 2015

  Does anyone remember back in January when I had my first public, “I can’t even” moment? For those of you that don’t know what this means, (mom) it’s an abused phrase that I really can’t stand, yet found myself using…again.

  

  A phrase used when something is so monumental that “I can’t even” think of words to describe how I feel. All that comes out is “I can’t even.”

  

  I was so enraptured by the wonder that is Mount Rainier that I really had no words, just feelings. Lots of feelings. Like the kind you get when you are eating cake.

  

  I’d been wanting to make my way to Mount Rainier National Park for quite some time now. On most of my hikes this volcanic mountain is what I search for off in the far distance as it’s the highest mountain in Washington.

  It was indescribable to be this close to it.

  

  

  This park is so big that I was overwhelmed with where to start exploring. Thankfully I have adventurous friends that also like to explore, and when one of them asked if I wanted to go hike a specific trail I didn’t think twice before saying yes.

  Plus my dad appreciates when I take a buddy.

  

  

  

  Burroughs mountain trail brought me to the view in most of the photos above. I felt almost close enough to touch the top, yet we were only halfway there. The peak of this active volcanic mountain is 14,410 ft above sea level, and we were merely at the 7400 ft mark. We were like ants in a sea of evergreen trees.

  

  Because you gotta drink a Rainier while next to Rainier.

  

  Unless you don’t drink beer, then eat a Larabar.

  The Burroughs trail brought us to this view, but I wanted more. The thing about Rainier National Park is there are trails..everywhere. Literally days of exploration.

  

  A fire lookout sat atop an adjacent mountain, and I wanted to see the view from it.

  That was a great decision on my part.

  

  A perfect shot to celebrate independence day.

  

  This adventure filled my soul with 5 hours and 8.2 miles of mountain goodness. I can’t wait to get back and explore even more. Next time I want to camp.

  

  

  

  I started a pin collection, because I’m too lazy to work with patches. Now I need to get my fanny to more national parks and get my bag some legit bling. I also bought a mug because coffee tastes better in a good mug, and because I fell prey to the tourist traps.

  

  

  

  Yea, that coffee tasted like adventure.

  

  Q: Have you been to a national park in or near your state?

  

  | 70 Comments Tagged Explore, Hike, Hiking, Mount Rainier, National Park, Summer, Washington

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• BRITTANY- Self proclaimed minimalistic nomad striving to maintain a balanced, healthy life with good food, long hikes, deep connections, exploration, and lots of potatoes.

• If this blog does not meet your standards, please lower your standards.

• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

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