Minotaur Lake

September 30, 2015 Laura Norsen

Jewel colored Minotaur shining from between the trees

I had grand plans for this past weekend. Andy and I would leave work early Friday to drive to Mt Baker and spend the weekend at a perfect new campsite we would find. We'd roast hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire, and go for at least one hike on Baker's colorful fall slopes. The forecast mentioned a small chance of rain Friday afternoon, but by the next morning and through the weekend there would be clear skies. Instead, it was rainy and cold from the moment we arrived to the moment we left. After a sleepless night and a morning spent huddled in our tent, we packed up early and headed home Saturday. So much for my plans.

Still wanting to get out for a hike, I spent Saturday night trying to choose a trail closer to home. In my disappointment over missing out on Mt Baker, I couldn't really get excited about anything, but settled on Lake Valhalla. We got a late start Sunday, and as we approached the Smithbrook road trailhead, we saw cars overflowing the lot at least a quarter mile in each direction. The trail would be packed! We decided at the last minute to continue down the road to Minotaur Lake, a shorter, much steeper trail that I've wanted to hike for a couple years. I am so glad we made that decision!

Fall fun

September 24, 2015 Laura Norsen

Fall is here! My absolute favorite time of year. The crisp cool air and more frequent rain are especially welcome after the summer we had. The cooler weather makes many of my favorite things much more comfortable - knitting, hiking, drinking tea, baking, cooking up giant batches of soup.

Most of the things on this list are the things I would want to do every year. None of them would be much of a challenge on their own, but making time for all of them will be!

Pressing cider is a Norsen family fall tradition

Definitely hope to see golden larches again

Make soup. So much soup. All the soup. Possibly get tired of soup.

Continue the trend from summer and go hiking at least once a month.

Mushroom hunting.

Try making something with fresh apple cider- cider cream pie or cider caramels?

Go for a walk in the rain.

Spend a rainy day curled up with a good book. There are so many good options.

Knit some cozy wool socks to keep my feet warm for the winter. Also, get an early start on my Christmas knitting.

Go snowshoeing as early as possible.

Make a giant batch of fresh tomato sauce with the last tomatoes of summer.

Wanderlust - Southwest

September 21, 2015 Laura Norsen

Zion National Park shrouded in morning mist

Not all the places I dream of visiting are quite so far off as Iceland or New Zealand. A few years ago, Andy and I spent a week in Moab in July. It was beautiful, dramatic, and entirely different from the landscapes of Washington. Sadly, to our spoiled Pacific Northwestener sensibilities, it was also unbearably hot. Completely out of character, the heat turned us into typical American tourists, driving from scenic viewpoint to scenic viewpoint, never spending more than 30 minutes outside the car at a time. Even from the car, the towering, rocky scenery was incredible. I can only imagine what we could have seen if the temperatures had been a bit more comfortable for hiking.

Since that trip I have dreamed of a longer, more well planned trip in either fall or spring, when our spoiled, heat sensitive selves might up to a little more active exploring. The raw intensity of landscapes in Utah and Arizona call me back. Thinking of the fins, arches, hoodos, and canyons, all so uniquely colored and textured, waiting to be explored. It makes me want to hop in the car and leave for the desert right now!

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