Trail 5
Cannondale bikes have been my favorite for over 15 years. These bicycles are designed for people of all heights. Trail 5 is primarily for low-impact trails, gravel roads, and leisurely rides. The SmartForm C3 Alloy is light weight and sturdy. Before I made the decision to go with a Trail 5, Scalpel Carbon SE was…
Living in the Country, No Alarm Clock Needed!
“The Pileated woodpecker is the largest living woodpecker in North America. Both male and female pileated woodpeckers sport a red crest; the female’s forehead is brownish and the male’s is scarlet.” Often you will spot this type of woodpeckers around bird feeders or other areas of your garden. Pileated woodpeckers are well known for the…
Blown Glass vs. Fused Glass
“Blown glass is an extraordinary piece of art created exquisitely by the artist. Each piece that is made is unique. Sculptures, figurines, Christmas ornaments, vases, paperweights and beads are various examples of blown glass and can be found worldwide. A glass blower may shape molten glass into colorful dishes.” The heart above is a piece I blew.…
Mt. St. Helens
I went to elementary school in Tumwater, Washington which is about 120 miles from Mt. St. Helens. During the month of March of 1980, at school, we held mountain drills to reinforce shelter in place until you can safely evacuate the area. Thankfully, the mountain blew on May 18, 1980 so I didn’t have to…
Another Day in Woodinville
Woodinville is a small town about 25 miles northeast of Seattle. Approximately 11,000 people reside in this 5.66 square mile town. Woodinville shares its zip code with unincorporated King County areas including Maltby and Cottage Lake. When in Maltby, stop by the Maltby Café. Originally, Woodinville was inhabited by the native Sammamish people. In 1871,…
Cycling in Washington
One of my favorite trails to ride on is the Burke-Gillman Trail. This trail links to many other trails as well as continues to expand. Most of the trail is paved. It runs from Fremont Cut in Seattle to a small area in Woodinville where it joins the Sammamish River Trail. When I lived in…
Junior Ranger Badge
My first teaching position was a 5th grade Job Share, Leave Replacement. I taught Math, Science, Health, and Language Arts. To maintain your teaching credentials, you can either take classes or get clock hours. An opportunity came up on an In Service Day where I could get clock hours to go on a “mild” hike…
College Years
The first college I attended was Washington State University. Although it took me a while to decide upon a major and minor, I have used some aspect of every course I completed. I graduated in 3.5 years with a BS in Psychology (Cognitive and Behavioral). As an undergraduate student, I conducted experiments with guidance of…
Washington Beaches
My favorite beaches in Washington along the Pacific Ocean include Ocean Shores, Westport, Long Beach, and Second Beach. Ocean Shores includes a beach area of six miles. The oceanic climate is similar to the Mediterranean with patterns of wetter winters and dryer summers. On this beach, I have gone horse back riding, flown kites, and…
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