INSPIRATIOS BLOG

The Sunday after Thanksgiving has its own quiet rhythm. The leftovers are dwindling, the dishwasher is finally catching its breath, and every parent of a college kid knows the routine: time to shuttle them back to campus. So at 18, my son was packed up, hoodie on, earbuds dangling, ready for the familiar Snoqualmie-to-Bellingham run back to Western Washington University. It’s funny how fast a week goes. It feels like he just walked in the door last Saturday—dumping laundry, r

Yesterday was one of those quietly bittersweet parent-moments: we drove up to Bellingham to pick up our 18-year-old from Western Washington University for the Thanksgiving break. He’s been away since mid-September — how did that happen so fast? — and it felt meaningful to pause for a family meal before the drive home. Enter one of our favorite local gems: Café Rumba. Located at 1140 N State St in Bellingham. ( Cafe Rumba ) With the three of us together (me, my wife, our son),

I left Snoqualmie at 6:30 a.m. The forecast had promised “scattered showers,” which of course meant “rain whenever it feels like it,” but that’s part of the deal for a November solo birding run. The two-hour drive north was a mix of anticipation, gray skies, and the faint hope that today— today —I’d catch a glimpse of the Snow Bunting reported at Blaine Marine Park earlier in the week. Blaine Marine Park: A Brief History Before the Binoculars Blaine Marine Park sits right on

Fourteen miles before lunch. That’s not a metaphor — that’s how my Sunday started. A long, steady early-morning treadmill run while the rest of the house was still asleep, the steady hum of the belt mixing with whatever motivation I could pull from a half-finished cup of coffee. By 11:30 a.m., I’d showered, stretched, and was officially starving. My 16-year-old son was, too — though in his case, from sleeping in and waiting patiently for me to declare it was finally Feast Buf

I thought I was doing well on my weight.  After all in 2020, I lost 30 lbs and had kept the weight off.  That is why I was surprised when my Doctor on my last visit said I was borderline obese.  What?  How could that be?  I was running 4 miles a day and going for hikes on weekends.  The doctor mentioned if you were just a little more overweight he could prescribe a GPL1 drug.  I joked about going on a binge at Feast Buffett.  I didn’t really want to take the drug, but I was c

I should have checked a calendar. Not the tide table, not eBird, but the Washington hunting calendar. Because when I arrived at Skagit...

Saturday began the way most October mornings do in the Snoqualmie Valley: low clouds pressed against the hills, the air thick with damp...

The Plan That Changed Snow Lake. It’s the iconic hike at Snoqualmie Pass — and for good reason. A short drive from Seattle, a trail that...

I arrived at Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area at 6:30 AM, just as the Park Ranger opened the gates. Even at that early hour, I wasn’t...

In the shadow of Washington’s towering Cascade peaks, Little Si is often considered the approachable cousin to Mount Si—a trail favored...

I asked Chatgpt to recommend a hike using the following prompt: " recommend a hike that is less than or equal to 8 miles for a 55 year...

There are moments in life when the pace of everyday routines slows just enough to let us step outside and savor the simple joys. For me,...

Summer vacation and my 2 month break from work came to an end this week. I can't say it has been a smooth transition for them or myself....

Today, the family visited Feast Buffet in Renton for the first time after we saw a funny YouTube video yesterday describing the place. ...

The Artic Tern appears tiny in comparison to the Caspian Tern which is the most common Tern to my area. I had tried a few times this...

Saturday was my first experience with Owling. To be honest, I was a bit underwhelmed. Our guide was talented, but the owls defintely...

Another productive day lead by Jake. Andy and I likely added 20 or so more life birds to our lists. I will update with the final count...

What an amazing day of birding in Patagonia! Andy and I joined a private tour where we spent 9ish hours with our guide Jake. He was a...

Travel day. We left Seattle and arrived in Tuscon around noon. We grabbed lunch in a forgetable chain restaurant which had suprisingly...

The plan was to just relax and get organized for the trip to Arizona on Thursday, but I took a look at https://birddash.net/us/wa/ and...