Getting out of the city

This photo is about 15 months old, but I couldn't be happier to have stumbled upon it while looking for other photos tonight. WHO STOLE MY FAT CHUBBY BABY AND PLEASE GIVE HIM BACK TO ME. Ugh, time is such a thief.

It also makes me miss our besties, the Hamills, who took the photo and were our partners in crime on this weekend freezing camping trip in the Shenandoah's. You know - the one where Henry slept in the car in his carseat because it was too cold for him to be outside? Didn't really think that one through other than - but, the memories!

I keep thinking we need to wait for the Spring to come to get outside and explore the greener parts of England, but after a whirlwind trip to Paris last week, I think Mark and I are both feeling the need to get out of the city already and be at one with nature. The closest I've come to nature recently was when I opened my door the other night to take the trash out and a fox was at the bottom of our steps. We stared at each other for about 10 seconds, until someone walking down the street scared him away. I was completely frozen, holding my carton of food waste, knowing that the fox would probably want to eat some of it - should I give it to him? Will he attack me before I can finish this thought? He didn't seem scared at all, or maybe he was just wondering when I was going to give him the food in my hands already. Anyway, if the closest I've come to nature in the past 5 months is an urban fox at my doorstep, it's time to hop on a train to a far off place. I'm thinking Cornwall...the Lake District (I really want to explore Beatrix Potter's former writing inspiration)...where else?! My UK travel pinterest board awaits...

washington state hiking in 3 days.

i wanted to post some pictures from our amazing (and crazy difficult) hike in olympia national park. earlier in june, we met up with some of TH's old college buddies to go on an epic hike. it was quite epic, and pushed us all to the limit. but along the way we saw some incredibly beautiful things! we hiked through temperate rainforest, up to 6 foot snow pack (complete with sleeping on top of the snow, coldest night of life), and sleeping on the beach. the beach was my favorite part.
just talking with friends over the weekend how we are all missing perfect camping weather, and because we don't have any free weekends until thanksgiving, we probably won't go this fall. at least i have this trip to remember my love/hate relationship with camping.

i am a survivor.

22 miles, 5 mountain summits, 2 nights camping, and gallons of water later...i am alive!!

the 10K was cake compared to this. we hiked the devils path in the catskills, which many believe to be the toughest hike in the east coast. i believe them. the ascents were all extremely and relentlessly steep with parts that felt more like rock climbing. the descents were the same, prompting many to call one particular mountain "suicide mountain". we hiked down it in the dark with headlamps only! (we are all crazy.) 6 mountains in total, you summit 5 of them as part of the hike. my quads and knees feel like jello.

TH's friends, owen and anna invited us on this trip to prep us for our hike next weekend in Washington state. i'm so thankful they did because i feel like i could pretty much do anything now! my body once again totally surprised me as i was able to conquer all those mountains without breaking down to cry. it was really hard, don't get me wrong, but i was capable of hiking it. i just didn't think i could do it. yay me. it also helped to be with friends in the woods, starting a rousing fire, scaring ourselves with bear attacks, having so much fun with the doggy, Ciara (what a trooper she was!), and breathing the fresh mountain air. in the end - a great retreat to the mountains. it was so beautiful.

on the 7 hour drive home, we drove through princeton, nj to visit TH's old stomping grounds to eat pizza and ice cream (reward food, obvs) and we got absolutely poured on in a freak rain storm. my tired legs could barely muster up strength to run to the car. they felt like someone elses legs! even this morning, i'm just waiting for the dull soreness to leave my body please. you know, so in another 8 days i can murder my legs again.

TH and i turned in early, around 10pm. as soon as we pulled back the covers and slipped into the fluffy bed, we were OUT. arrgh so nice! and i felt happy to have used my body so bravely and boldly over the weekend. finally, a good reason to REALLY sleep, rather then "i had a tough day at work". haha. another reason i am in the wrong line of work.

how was your weekend? did you enjoy the welcome of almost summer?