Oregon

Birthday skis

Denver really hooked me up this year! I'm a proud owner of these beautiful fatties. Or as Denver says "I'm a proud fatty on these beauties."

First snow

Loving the autumn hues and the distant snow-capped peaks

It's a good life

We put our house on the market nine days ago and have since been trying to "not live" at home. It seems like showings are spaced about an hour apart during the day...just long enough to make a mess that needs to be cleaned up before the next showing. It's a little like living in a fish bowl with all the curious drive-bys and house-circlers. Now if only all these viewers would make us a decent offer. To be honest, there's something to be said about a selling frenzy and I didn't realize how hard it would be to turn down an offer, even a low-ball one, when it came our way.We decided on a set amount that would make selling worth-our-while before putting the house on the market and we're sticking to our guns.  If the house doesn't sell in the next 21 days, we'll give it another go next spring. Stick to the plan, sister.

In the meantime, since staying home is the pits, here's to being out-of-town. We were able to spend another four days at the beach, surfing in the mornings and doing whatever-catches-our-fancy all afternoon. AND finally making happy hour at the Seabright Brewery in Santa Cruz. Monday-Thursday happy hour includes half-off appetizers. I'm talking a pile of calamari, a bucket of clams, and a plate-full of salmon bites AND a drink for each of us, for under 20 bucks.

There's been enough of my tears this week to last us both a lifetime. Some stuff is sad, some stuff can't be fixed. Although the combination of waves and a surf board and half-off appetizers does make for a pretty good band-aid. We are both freshly reminded of Grace, freely given, and ridiculously expensive.

 

Fall's bounty

A friendly soul left this gift on our porch. Thank you!

Arcata & The Redwoods

My family all convened in Arcata, CA for the weekend (save Travis, Karen & Melody, far away in another land). We hiked through Fern Canyon and around Trinidad. We tide-pooled, built sand castles, ate yummy crepes, drank local brews & squeezed in a few brisk surf sessions. We admired the magical forests, towering trees and an impressively cold ocean.

Our lifestyle improves 10 fold when my parents are around, comfy warm beds, hot showers and delicious food. Dad & Mom are seriously some of the most generous people I know. Frugal with themselves and quick to share with others. While generosity doesn't come easily to my natural self, I'm trying to pick up a few tricks of the trade.











 

Rock Hound

There was some time to kill last week but we had to stay local so it seemed like a good opportunity to check out a nearby crystal mine that we had heard so much about. We were sort of hoping for a mine shaft to explore but this particular mine, at this point, is just a large mound of multi-colored rocks. I hear if you're lucky there are true crystals to be found. We decided to just be happy with this little collection.

Carriage House before & after

The Before:



 The After:

An autumn picnic on the TRT

Mt Laurel via The Northeast Gully

Our seven year anniversary happened this month. It happened on a Monday and kind of slid by without much notice; hardly a high-five. We couldn't let a Monday ruin our party, so we decided that a celebration anytime during the anniversary month would count. And so we celebrated with a trip to Mammoth area, to do a fun route on Mount Laurel that I've been wanting to climb all summer.

The route was interesting, with a quick approach then continuous steep scrambling for the next 3500ft.  Luckily it didn't take too long and we were back to the parking lot changing into swimsuits in just under four hours. We jumped in the lake to cool off and clean off, and then drove a little ways down the road to see if we could find some hot springs.  Some local folks we had met at the top had tipped us off to the location of this tub, and we were stoked 'cause we've been poking around mammoth for a couple of years without finding a good soaking spot.  Turned out that it was one of the best natural tubs we've ever been in, piping hot with beautiful views. Can't wait to return there after a long ski day. I can already imagine how good that's going to feel!

Mt Laurel in all her glory. Love this view!