Jen and I spent three weeks in various parts of Patagonia Chile. Instead of making everyone wait and writing up multiple blogs, I am just going to dump all the decent photos I have into this post. I ended up with +600 photos from the trip and have distilled them down to a mere 192 photos. So grab a drink and have a nice scroll through the photos!
Hiking
Jen and I spent three weeks in Australia, visiting as much of the eastern coast as we could. We started by seeing the sights in Sydney. Then flew north to Port Douglas to summit a mountain in the world’s oldest rainforest and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Then flew south to Melbourne to rent a campervan and drive the Great Ocean Road. Flew back up to Sydney and caught a train out to Katoomba to backpack the Blue Mountains. And then finished the trip on the outskirts of Sydney at the old Quarantine site in Manly Beach.
Instead of making everyone wait and writing up multiple blogs, I am just going to dump all the decent photos I have into this post. I ended up with +700 photos from the trip and have distilled them down to a mere 123 photos. So grab a drink and have a nice scroll through the photos!
On our previous, and first trip to the Enchantments, we visited during the beginning of the summer and stayed in the Stuart zone. This year we were able to get a better location and Jen scored a permit for the Snow zone during the fall season. Our visit was timed to coincide with the changing of colors that the larches undergo as fall gives way to winter. And in addition to viewing of the larches, there were a couple summits we wanted to check off our list, Little Annapurna and Dragontail Peak.
So join us, and our Florida friend, as we embark on another multi-night backpacking adventure in lovely Washington state!
With the 4th of July holiday quickly approaching, I decided it was time to set up the season’s first backpacking trip. And with the extremely warm weather, I decided to focus my efforts into the Olympic National Park. So after a bit of researching, and back and forth with various options, I ended up choosing the Seven Lakes Basin, aka High Divide Loop.
Summer was quickly coming to a close, and I had yet to take any coastal backpacking trips. So with a sunny weekend on the forecast, we packed up the car, and made way for Shi Shi Beach.
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With a slight break in the weather, I decided I would head off to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and do a bit of backpacking.
Another favorite among locals is the Lake Serene, Bridal Veil Falls trek. Located in the Central Cascades this hike boasts a combination of powerful waterfalls, steep inclines and alpine lake views.
Nestled deep in the Wild Sky Wilderness, Lake Blanca rests as an emerald jewel hidden behind a staircase of switchbacks.
Located along the the Mount Saint Helens blast zone, the South Coldwater Trail takes you from wildflower meadows to ridge-lines and ends with a stunning view of Mount Saint Helens.
With waterfalls, ridge lines, cliffs, alpine views, and wildflowers, Hamilton Mountain has it all.
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If you’re looking for wildflowers, a great workout, and a view of the Columbia River Gorge, then Dog Mountain is a must. Just keep in mind you won’t be the only one. So try to make it to the trailhead before 8am.
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Easter weekend was quickly approaching and I had yet to plan anything. Taking a look at the weather revealed that once again we would have two days of pure sunshine. Last weekend I did some camping on San Juan Island. So this time I wanted to kick things up a notch and do some backpacking along the coast at La Push in the Olympic National Park.
Back in the summer of 2012 I managed to fracture my foot. As my foot slowly healed, I started looking for an easy day hike in order to test out my progress. That’s when a friend recommended I go check out the Triple Falls in the Oneonta Gorge.
Smack-dab in the middle of a Pacific Northwest winter, I came up with a stellar idea. Let’s go camping in the Olympics! Even with my over the top enthusiasm, I couldn’t find anyone else to agree with this plan. Sure, the weather might be a bit much, but that wasn’t going to stop me…nooo sir!
Living in Portland, I always looked at the sharp point of Mt Hood and wondered when would I make my way out there. A combination of beauty and mystique, I felt like it would take a large about of planning to get involved with such a hike. However, one summers afternoon a co-worker showed me some trail maps and insisted I hike out to Paradise Park on Mt Hood. After looking at a couple photos online and doing a bit more reading, this was the push I needed to make it happen.
One Thanksgiving, when I was visiting my family in South East Florida, I decided I would make a side trip and head down to Flamingo in the Everglades National Park. The last time I had been to the park was when I was a small child. So knowing I would be moving to the Pacific Northwest soon, I wanted to check things out one last time while it was still convenient.
It’s creeping into the rainy season here in Seattle. And that means I’m either going to hide in my studio and work on releasing my older projects, or get off my butt and get out there and learn to shoot for the conditions. After talking with several friends, It was evident that I needed to go check out Wallace Falls State Park. So with moderate rain on the forecast, I packed up early Saturday morning and headed out into the grey.
There’s so much to be said for the Columbia River Gorge. And yet, I’ve seen so little of it. Thankfully, this time I was given a chance to follow a friend to one of his preferred hikes, the Eagle Creek Trail in Bonneville, Oregon.
In the heart of the Everglades, off of State Road 29, there is an old dirt road called “Jane’s Memorial Scenic Drive”. Stretching 11 miles, this road runs through the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, and ends at the edge of the the Picayune Strand State Forest, the site of the now infamous “Swampland in Florida” scam.
Woke up early one Saturday morning and decided to pick a place on the map I have never been, load up some camera gear and go for a drive. I ended up in the Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest, on the Mustang Loop trail in Hendry County, Florida.
When you visit Collier-Seminole State Park, there are three trails for you to choose from. Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. This trail, the 3.5 mile trail is the intermediate trail. It’s great to hike down, and even easier to bike through.
Heading south on Tamiami Trail (41) just a few miles past Collier-Seminole State Park is a little access point called the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The trail has been there for a little while, however recently they have made it more accessible with a parking lot, new signs, and a small lookout tower. I took a quick stop one day to see what it was all about.
Last fall I decided to pack up the kayak and spend a weekend camping in Myakka River State Park. I remember spending a few Easters up there with the family and figured I would see how things have changed in the past 20 years since I last visited.
Takachiho Gorge (高千穂峡)
Nestled in the center of the Kyushu mountains (northwestern part of the Miyazaki Prefecture) lies the Takachiho Gorge. “Takachiho” roughly translates to “thousand rice ears at the peak”.
Pronounced “Bochi” or “o-haka”, Japanese cemeteries can be found from the countrysides all the way to the heart of Tokyo.
In an effort to rebuild my blog, I am starting to repost the Nihon no Jinsei series. I am looking to see if some of my family still has the text that went along with these photos. So until then, please enjoy the photos alone.
This installment was my hiking journey up the Kirishima Volcano in Ebino Japan. One of the most memorable experiences I had while in Japan.