A busy February

Only 28 days to it, but February went by in a blaze. And although this time last year I was knocking out one of my life-long ambitions, tramping through New Zealand, February 2009 did not lack

for adventure.

The first trip was a quick overnight, out to Port Angeles, WA to snow shoe Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic Peninsula. Although there wasn't enough snow for the snow-shoes, the hike up to the ridge was still a great lung burner and reminder that its going to take a lot of work before camping season begins.

Jayson, who joined me in New Zealand, joined me again this year in celebration of our trip a year ago. Hurricane Ridge holds the distinction of being the highest point accessible by road in all of the Olympics, making it one of the easiest destinations to get to for some breathtaking sights. From atop the ridge, we could see Victoria, Bellingham, Port Angeles, and Mt. Baker, not to mention the entire breadth of the Olympic mountain range. Truly inspiring indeed.

After the cold and the snow, it was determined that a visit out to Phoenix, AZ was required and along with it, a stay at the sister's home. Temps hovering just below 90 degrees was just what the doctor ordered. We threw the ball around on Saturday, just like old times, and on Sunday took to Surprise, AZ to watch the Seattle Mariners take on the Texas Rangers in Spring league play. Considering that it was last March that I arrived in the overwhelming heat of southeast asia, I thought the trip to visit sun was a fitting way to commemorate the trip.

Hurricane Ridge Photographs
Mariner Spring Training Photographs