Back in the NOCA days year 2000

.Okay, these pictures are ten years old. They are from when I worked for the plant propagation deparment at North Cascades National Park. Can you believe I used to spend days collecting seeds, keying out plants, and revegetating mountain sides for money. Life was vast and simple. In fact, living in such a beautiful place was a lure for good friends living far away. My friend Katie de Laveaga, at the time a botanist at Pinnacles National Monument in California came to visit and we went hiking everyday. This was in July, I think. Snow travel makes the route all that more fun. I can hear Katie's mother saying "that girl some haoli."
The country bumpkins spend the day in Seattle.
At the top.
Enjoying the view.
Crossing the river on our way up to Monogram lake.
Monogram lake
Snow drifting across the lake.
View of Glacier peak on the slope of Sauk mountain.

This was our afternoon day hike up to Sauk mountain.

The Skagit river is down below, and Valerian is one of the predominant native wildflowers blooming in the foreground.
Snags are beautiful too.

Acadia Maine trip with Gabe 2003

Another bogus retreat

Alice, Gabe, and I slogged it up to Shafer Butte and it was worth it. The sun came out and Alice woke up so we could all enjoy the view together.

Gabe pulling the polk up to Schafer Butte, glad I don't have to do it. I am cashing in on the fact that Gabe thrives on a good painful workout.


I love the twisted trees at the top of the Butte.

Gabe and Alice.

Gabe and Alice up at the Nordic Lodge.

Melanie and Rachael. Rachael is wearing her snowsuit but I think she looks like a kick-but mechanic.

John and Melanie Miller skate skiing up at Bogus.

Morning snuggle.

Tummy time.