Tag: Mount Walker

• 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

• Mount Walker – Summer Sun

  Posted at 6:44 AM by Brittany, on June 12, 2015

  The weather in Washington is starting to look like summer. The days are hot, and the lack of AC in most places means for sticky, sweaty conditions.

  

  Check that sweat curl of hair by my face. Earned it.

  My fellow coffee slangin’ brotha from anotha and I escaped to the mountains on Wednesday after work, and by the time we got there it was 80 and humid.

  Thank God for the canopy cover of trees because it was H O T. The once snow capped mountains off yonder were as blue as a Southern crowned pigeon.

  

  As always, the view at the top made the steep grade worth ever step. Summer hikes are some of my favorite, simply because they are the most rewarding. Great things in life don’t usually come easy, and hiking is a perfect example of this.

  The hike here at Mount Walker is another one of my favorite solo climbs. If you squint real hard, you may be able to see Mt.Rainier in all her glory in the upper/middle left corner of the photo below. Any hike that highlights her beauty is a favorite of mine.

  

  

  Once upon a midnight dreary I thought I wanted to move away from Washington. How sad that would have been, I cannot imagine myself without these mountains.

  

  

  The journey down the mountain is almost always filled with thoughts of the day, thoughts of the views, and thoughts of food. Actually, the entire hike is usually mixed with thoughts of food let’s be real.

  

  I must have been extra hungry coming down this mountain, because my first thought upon seeing the above photo was food related. They look like some kind of red asparagus species, don’t you think? I tried to look it up, but couldn’t quite find it.

  The wild asparagus like plant sparked a fire in my stomach that could not be put out until fed. This inspired the most random food haul.

  

  Which turned into this.

  

  
  

  

  And the world spins madly on.

  Note to self: Buying a pea shoot plant was the best idea you’ve had all week.

  

  Q: What’s the weather like in your neck of the woods?

  

  | 67 Comments Tagged Explore, Hike, Mount Walker, Olympic Mountains, Vegan, Washington

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