After all these years of wandering the west, we spend very little time - anymore - exploring our home state. Part of this is due to the terrain; part is due to the weather; and some is surely due to the grass always being greener - or the desert, desert-y-er - on the horizon.
Whatever the case, after several long driving trips, we were both looking to wrap up our summer adventures with something that was a little closer to home, which is when I hatched a plan to surprise @mrs.turbodb by revisiting two of her all-time favorite hikes, plus a third that I hoped would be just as great.
It would have worked if I hadn't left a trail of research for her to follow in Gaia. Still, even if it wasn't much of a surprise by the time we arrived at the trailheads, the Northern Cascades still put on a tremendous show as we climbed high onto their ridges.
Winchester Lookout | Home State #1 - After all these years of wandering the west, we spend very little time - anymore - exploring our home state. Part of this is due to the terrain; part is due to the weather; and some is surely due to the grass always being greener - or the desert, desert-y-er - on the horizon. Whatever the case, after several long driving trips, we were both looking to wrap up our summer adventures with something that was a little closer to home, which is when I hatched a plan to surprise @mrs.turbodb by revisiting two of her all-time favorite hikes, plus…
Sixty-Some Switchbacks of Sahale Arm | Home State #2 - The last time we'd visited this particular location, we left calling the hike here the "Best Hike Ever," so I hoped that all the amazing experiences we've had since wouldn't taint our impression on this, our second visit, 15 years later. In fact, I'd hoped to make it all the way to the trailhead without @mrs.turbodb knowing where we were, but she awoke from her afternoon nap just as I turned off of WA-20 onto dirt. Then, within about ten seconds - I have no idea how she even got her bearings in that time - the first words out…