Hoh Rainforest

My dad found this interesting lichen specimen when we stopped at the visitor center before hiking the mysterious Hoh Rainforest. Thought I'd share.

There are few words for such an extraordinary place, but there are lots of pictures! Enjoy.

Outside My Window

Autumn is behind in California but just beginning in Washington.

It's the evergreen state, for sure, but dramatic splashes of color are showing up. Along with the mighty Mount Rainier, which I'm seeing out my window for the first time.

Outside Olympic National Park, the trees are ablaze.

Saturday Mornings

I'm not usually a morning person, but weekends have me waking up early to feed my neighbor's horses.

What started as a chore has become a peaceful, almost zenlike approach to the day. I appreciate the intention it brings and any moment to connect with animals is a good one in my book.

These are my "neigh"bors Entrigue and Val, so you can catch a glimpse of their cute faces before they get covered in fly masks.

Entrigue doesn't like to come up for air until he's had every morsel of his breakfast.

I then take a moment to admire the vegetable garden. (Not my work of course- my thumb is more gangreen than green.)

The last chore is letting out and feeding the chickens.

And trying to stay out of the rooster's way. I don't know him very well, but he always seems to be in a bad mood.

Not me! I'm looking at the best start to my day.