Various Ramblings
Michael Nowak
Cha-cha-changes!
Cha-cha-changes!
Various Ramblings
Michael Nowak
Seeing can mean believing.
Seeing can mean believing.

Forest Friday

#ForestFriday - Gifford Pinchot NF

I recently had the privilege of hiking with one of my besties from Texas up in the Gifford. We found the glorious trees and waterfalls that Washington (and the PNW) promised me years ago when I first visited. Enjoy a few photos and go on and get out there this weekend if you can! Happy hiking!

The calm noise of a flowing river. (Falls Creek)

The hike was worth it, for sure.

Around the rocks and ferns…

It’s bigger than it appears in photos.. Falls Creek Falls

The upper portion is as big as other waterfalls I saw earlier in the day

Majestic.

#ForestFriday - Through The Woods

I have a few specific memories of my grandmother (Gramma) that always comes to my brain when I think of her. Today is her birthday, so I’ve been thinking about her all morning. For this #ForestFriday I’m thinking of the times we would walk the dog through the Besser Natural Area (Bell Bay) and look for the old homesteads in the woods. We’d meander down the trails and walk past the lagoon and eventually out to Lake Huron. This little nature area was only a few minute drive from our family cottage, so we would go often in the summer season.

Enjoy some photos as I travel down memory lane in honor of one of my biggest supporters and favorite people in one of our favorite places (and then a few of her just for fun). Rest in peace and thanks for everything, always.

#ForestFriday - Up North Minnesota

I’ve got Minnesota on the brain right now because I’m planning my trek there for Labor Day weekend. I am so excited to get up there for a while (I took several days off) and it’s going to be good to see my people. I’m excited to see the forests and the big lake (Lake Superior) as well as the small lakes. I’m hoping for good weather, but will take anything we get. I’m ready for Leinenkugel's and bonfires. Superior National Forest makes up most of the woods around where I’ll be, so I’m sharing some photos from previous trips for this Forest Friday. I hope you get to the forest and have a great weekend!

#ForestFriday - Looking Up

When I find myself under some trees, I always look up. There’s something magical about looking up at the canopy and seeing the sky through the branches or between the treetops. I like to gaze in wonder at the living organism that can grow so tall and broad. Take a look at some of my favorite canopies and go find your forest this weekend!

#ForestFriday - Oregon Caves NM

Back in 2016 I visited Oregon Caves National Monument while on a trip to Northern California to see the Redwoods. The drive up from the Redwoods is fantastic and follows the wild and scenic Smith River as you drive up US-199.

The actual road to the caves is lined with trees and the whole places is forested. Enjoy a few photos of the outside on a sunny day!

And here’s some from inside the cave! Not quite a forest, but such a cool place that I can’t wait to go back to now that I live close by.

#ForestFriday - High Steel Bridge

I recently took a trip, a few Fridays ago, to go drive through the woods and stare off of the High Steel Bridge. It’s been a rough start to 2024, and cried a little on the bridge as I crunched through the fresh snow. I stared down at the blue water in the river flowing below and felt a little more at peace. The snow always creates a silence, so hearing the river rushing and nothing else was quite amazing. This bridge is located within the Olympic National Forest and is open all year. If you visit, please follow the rules and advisories posted. Have a great weekend!

#ForestFriday - Umpqua National Forest

I visited Crater Lake National Park back in October but a secondary highlight was spending time in the Umpqua National Forest. Oregon forests are spectacular with huge trees, waterfalls, and plenty of trails. Enjoy a few photos including Whitehorse Falls, Salt Creek Falls, and Clearwater Falls. Happy Friday and have a great weekend.

#ForestFriday - Lincoln National Forest

Some days I miss the life I had (briefly) in New Mexico back in 2021. I lived near the best of friends, worked with the coolest people, and went to the National Forest all the time. I’ve been missing the familiar lately, so here’s to the good people and the good times in the Lincoln National Forest.

Views of the sky, camping with my dog, and everything in between. 2021 was a great year. I miss my old Outback and I miss my friends real bad but that’s what new Outbacks and visits are for!

#ForestFriday - Mt. Walker Viewpoint

One of my favorite places to go take a break, take a guest, or just stop for a minute is the Mt. Walker Viewpoint in the Olympic National Forest. It was suggested by a friend a while ago, and I’ve gone there for years.

The road up to the viewpoints is a winding, dirt road that pushes through the forest. I recently visited early in the morning to catch the sunrise, and it was spectacular to come around the corners and see the sun rising. VIDEO HERE.

Most of the time you can see Mt. Rainier in the distance from the Southern Viewpoint and sometimes you can see Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams. From the Southern Viewpoint, you can see the Olympics and Mt. Baker.

Enjoy some photos from over the years.

#ForestFriday - Montana!

Back in May I had friend over in Montana and we went on adventure through places like the Kootenai National Forest and a little bit into Glacier National Park before it was all open. Enjoy some photos from the various forests along the way through Big Sky Country.

It’s a happy looking Outback (she’s happiest in the forest)

Lake Koocanusa

Maple leaves!

A little trail at Glacier National Park

The Swinging Suspension Bridge of the Kootenai River

Scarlet red and with an adventurous spirit - the Outback looks good against Lake Koocanusa

View from the trail - in Glacier National Park

#ForestFriday - Olympic National Forest

I’ve been in Olympia for eight months and didn’t realize I was just a short drive from a really cool bridge on a national forest road. The High Steel Bridge is located in the Olympic National Forest just outside of Shelton, WA. The bridge sits about 375 feet above the South Skokomish River and spans from one forested cliff to another. To find cool photos of the bridge that people probably took with a drone, google “high steel bridge” or something like that. Here’s the Wiki link, if you’re interested.

Enjoy some photos from the journey to and over the bridge! The video at the end is from the graffiti located on the bridge with a rather uplifting message.

No matter where I live, I’m going to find cool things to do and see and I encourage you to do the same.

Have fun out there and stay safe! - Mike

A video of the graffiti on the bridge with an uplifting message.

#ForestFriday - Cascade Pass Trail

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Today I’m looking back at my brief day trip to visit North Cascades National Park. I’ve created a post on it already, found here. Today I’m going to highlight some of the plants and fungi I found along the Cascade Pass Trail. The clouds may have prevented me from seeing the views, but my I was able to focus on the ground a little more.

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The trail climbed steadily, and I was continuously blown away by the lush greenery through the mist. The Pacific Northwest is truly magical and it’s easy to see why my heart can’t rest until I make a return.

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The trail had huge drop offs and that may make some nervous. I took it as motivation to slow down, pay attention, and enjoy the moment.

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(National) #ForestFriday - Chugach NF

I saved my photos from Chugach National Forest in Alaska for today so they could live in a post just for them. Chugach would easily be my number one National Forest, but I have only been once and we will not be going any time soon as far as I know. Enjoy some photos from the family vacation in the Chugach National Forest a few years ago. We saw trees, flowers, glaciers, rivers, and other things in between.

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A little Minnesota for this #ForestFriday

I’ve got Minnesota on my brain. I have a lot of things on my brain, but Minnesota is sticking out. I’m returning to the land in the Great North mi- August to go to the cabin off the grid and check out of society for a while. My friend’s cabin is one of my favorite places to be because it makes me slow down and take in every minute of daylight. There’s always some work to do, always a trip to the Boundary Waters, and usually a lot of beer and cards by lantern into the night. Northern Minnesota is truly dark at night, silent in terms of the modern world for the most part, and completely refreshing.

Here are some photos from over the past 15 years of visits to the cabin for your viewing pleasure.

#ForestFriday - Tonto National Forest

These may not be the images you expect when you see the word forest, but life is all about changing how we see things. The Superstition Wilderness Area within the Tonto National Forest was filled with a variety desert plants and expansive views. Enjoy!

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