Through Smoke and Fog

I got a chance to camp in Washington for a week with two of the best people. One of our first stops was Cascadian Farms for fresh picked blueberries.

I have had many sorts of fresh fruit right off the tree/bush/vine, but this was really something special since blueberries are not native to Colorado. We got enough to last us the 2-3 days in North Cascades and on the way out, got more for the next few days. There's a fire in British Columbia, so we didn't get to see a whole lot of the North Cascades except trees, which were very nice.

Diablo Lake, our first two campsites were near here. 

I had been to Olympic National Park before, but not the mountain portion, only the ocean. The Olympics are beautiful and ridiculously rugged mountains.

Sunset from Deer Park. 

Sunrise at Deer Park. 

The smoke obscured a lot until we got the the coast. There, the fog never lifted. The days and nights were around 55 degrees. It was a welcome relief.

One day on the pacific coast, we saw otters frolicking in the river, an osprey perched and a pod of orcas. On our last night we camped in a campground right on the beach and woke up to orcas just offshore, spouting and showing us their fins. It was amazing.

so close to shore!

fins!

Summer start.

Camping season has begun!

Over the long Cesar Chavez weekend, my boyfriend and I drove to Utah to camp. It was a bit chilly (especially) the first night, but that's the only way I enjoy the desert. We did a couple of nice hikes, got some good photos. Tired the dog out. And then we picked up my old nordic skis from my parents on the way home.

Egyptian Temple, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. 

LaSal Mountains, Utah.

Sunset.

Sunrise.

Fisher Towers, Utah.

Fisher Towers trail end.

Fisher Towers trail.

Tired pup.

And I am finally fully outfitted for backpacking. And for only a bit over $200. So this weekend I believe we're going to test it all out. Hooray.

And 14er season is near.