Mirror Lake

This weekend, a good friend and I left the city at 4:00 a.m. to do a sunrise hike in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Though we didn't catch the sunrise due to some early morning clouds that rolled in, we did see the lunar eclipse, enjoyed having a popular summer trail to ourselves and experienced the peace of being out in nature.

Seattle with the Parents

This past weekend I ventured north to Seattle to visit my parents as they were passing through town. Together we grazed local restaurants (including the hip Oddfellows Cafe + Bar), explored the impressive array of freshness at Pike's Market and attended a Mariners game. All in all, it was a solid weekend.

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The iconic sign

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Anyone need some crabs?

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Everything is hip in Seattle...even these market merchants

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Safeco Field closing up for the rain but I think it is actually a spaceship undercover

Portland Farmers Markets

One of my favorite summer pastimes is to visit the farmers market and peruse the aisles of fresh food, ultimately supporting local farmers as I can't leave without buying something. In Portland, we are blessed to have a market in each quadrant (SE, NE, SW & NW). You can pretty much hit up a farmers market any day of the week.

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My bounty from the market in SE last night. The snap peas were picked at 10:00 a.m. that morning!

Sasquatch 2010

The annual 3 day music festival that is Sasquatch was not only the 1st music festival I've ever been to but also quite an amazing one. I lounged with good friends all weekend long...camping, learning to play hacky sack and listening to talented bands play their hits with one of the most beautiful backdrops I've seen for a music venue. The 3 hour wait in line on Friday night to get to our campsite was totally worth it.

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The Main Stage with an amazing view

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Josh directing proper blanket placement or also possibly raising the roof

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Our very comfortable camp of 4 nights

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A beautiful sunset on our walk back to camp one night

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My new favorite hat

2nd Annual Mt. St. Helens Mothers Day Climb

I often wonder if climbing a mountain is comparable to race day for professional athletes. You wake up early, you feel a keen sense of anticipation from the moment you open your eyes and you know in that moment that without a doubt, you are going to expend every bit of energy you have that day trying to succeed.

This was the case with 23 climbers on a beautiful Saturday morning last weekend on Mt. St. Helens, as we all set out for the long 6000' climb to the crater rim. We talked, we laughed, we focused, our heartrates accelerated and some of us struggled more than others but after approximately 6 hours of taking step after step, we all made it! And in following a mountain tradition, every single one of us wore a dress to celebrate our moms.

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Our lofty goal

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Making our way up to and past 5000'

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A very happy crew of dressed up climbers on the crater rim at 8200'

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Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Springtime Softball

It's that time again! Team Box Knockers is well into their 3rd season with their 4th game this upcoming Sunday. I have only had the chance to play one game so far, but it was a doozy and tons of fun. Who knew I'd love softball so much?!?

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My chin after getting hit in the face by a ball in game #1
Yes, I cried
Yes, I went back out there and kept playing
And yes, I may have scared all my colleagues in Denmark

DK

As part of my new job with Vestas, I have been in Denmark for the last week and a half for some training with my new server team. During the week, I have been staying up north in a small town called Randers but this weekend, I made a solo 3 1/2hour drive to Copenhagen.

Copenhagen is a beautiful city full of copper spires and even some canals. During my short time there, I ate some yummy food, toured the palace where the Crown Prince and Crown Princess are supposed to live and took a boat tour (something I always regretted not doing in Amsterdam).

Now I'm back at work and happy that the airports in Denmark are finally opening up tomorrow after the long closure due to the Iclandic volcano ash cloud. I fly out Friday and am hoping no further closures or long delays keep me from getting home.

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A famous canal with lots of life and energy, as well as multiple modes of transportation

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Amalienborg, the palaces of the royal family but broken down looks like a name out of a sci-fi movie

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They get to wear the coolest hats in Amalienborg

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Evening silhouettes