In advance to a big Enchantments trip, I got a training hike in with Scott, Mike, Todd and Jessie. The hike to Norse Peak starts out of the Crystal Mountain parking lot and up, up, up, intersecting the PCT. It was a great hike with an awesome view of Mt. Rainier.
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We were so excited to host my brother-in-law Ty and his family as part of their road trip across the country from Indiana. We always love showing people where we live and all the great parts of Tacoma! [flickr_set id="72157645702888164"]
The annual REI marketing camping trip is always fun. I am privileged to work with such smart, fun people that share a passion for playing outdoors. [flickr_set id="72157645347279076"]
Amanda and I made a first trip to Orcas Island for a wedding at Doe Bay. I wasn't a photographer for the wedding. Rather, I shot everything around the wedding as we took in an amazing Puget Sound destination. [flickr_set id="72157645373618825"]
When we bought our house, it came with some great landscaping. We have a hydrangea bush and Japanese maple in the front beds. On the side of the house, the grass is cut out for more beds centered around a rhododendron and camellia tree. Our back patio was also shaped around a tree as well, but it was a sore sight from the start. The ill-fated Lilac tree bloomed beautifully every April for a few weeks but the rest of the year showed its diseased, bare branches. Cement had been poured into its caverns. The Lilac hadn't been pruned properly in years and had really taken over the functional space of the patio.
I lobbied Amanda for the past few years to take the Lilac down and open more patio space for dining and entertaining. She gave in last year but wanted to see one more bloom.
That bloom came and the Lilac went. Thanks to Dad and Scott for helping with the labor!
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