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

Way Back Wednesday

Waterfall Wednesday - Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls is one of those places you take all out-of-town visitors when they come to see Portland. I’m taking my visitors this weekend and I can’t wait to see it again myself. As my time in Portland comes to an end, I’m thankful that this staple feature is nearby and that I could just drive out and see it and the many other waterfalls within an hour of the city. I did not take any of these natural wonders for granted, and plan to be back as often as time allows. Cheers!

This is the first time I saw the falls - December 2012.

Framed by fall color in November 2021

A view from the top down, the first time I hiked to the top back in September 2022

Late summer trickle, first day of fall Sept 2022

Spring water back in March 2024

Way Back Wednesday - Ruby Beach

I have the beach on my brain as the temperatures look to be heating up again. Summer, please go away! Escape with me to the coast of Washington state at Ruby Beach. Take in the sunshine, knowing it’s only in the 60s out there! Enjoy and stay cool, friends!

The view from the trail down…

You can find some shade behind the big rock

Let the water come in and wash away those cares

Spend hours listening to the waves and looking through beach rocks

Way Back Wednesday - Crater Lake!

My friends are coming to town, so we’re going to drive down to Crater Lake this week. In honor of the beauty, enjoy some photos from the time I visited last fall.

I went early to watch the sunrise over Crater Lake - still as glass!

The lake remained still ast the sun continued up the sky

That water looks brilliantly blue!

As beautiful as the lake is, the forest surrounding the lake is also quite remarkable. No matter how you drive in, it’s spectacular.

Way Back Wednesday - June 2019 "Up north" #WBW

It was the middle of June and I was heading up north with my dog and my kayak. Up north is a technical term for anywhere in Northern Michigan. I bounced between my grandparent’s house and the family cottage and enjoyed many sunrises and sunsets. Enjoy some photos from the lake where the family cottage is and some memories I hope to remake in the future. P.S. I miss my black Outback so much.

Way Back Wednesday - Arkansas 2024

I recently spent 35 days in and around Arkansas for work. I was on location for M-F, but I took full advantage of my weekends. I visited local breweries, made some new friends, and visited my friends/family back in Texas. Heat and humidity aside, the area wasn’t so bad. I experienced some thunderstorms while there and remembered how much I missed those. There were rolling hills, trees, and lush green fields all over and fun back roads through them all. Here’s a few highlights from the trip:

Way Back Watery Wednesday

I have the Great Lakes on my brain, so I wanted to share some photos from around the glorious shorelines. When I lived in Michigan, I didn’t take advantage of the outdoors the way I would today. I can’t wait to get back and explore all of the things saved on my map. For now, enjoy some photos of the lakes that are unsalted and shark free!

Lake Superior

Lake Superior is pretty special. It’s large, moody, and definitely in charge. These photos are from Duluth throughout the years.

Lake Huron

Lake Huron is home, and the sky is often magical. Most of these are from the Rogers City area in Michigan.

Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan became home when I moved to the southwest corner of the state for college. Trips to the beach were memorable and fun. These photos are from all along that coast.

#WayBackWednesday Mount Rainier National Park

When I lived in Olympia, I took every guest who visited to Mount Rainier National Park. I went so many times in 2023, and I’m grateful for each of those visits. I first visited the park back in 2018 on one of my random long weekends to the PNW while living in Texas. I thought today we could go back and look at some of my favorite photos and places throughout the park. Can’t wait to get back in 2024.

My First Visit to Mount Rainier NP

Skyline Trail Hike

Reflection Lake

Tipsoo Lake

Narada Falls

Skyline Trail Views

Sun Top Lookout (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest)

Random Other Photos

#WayBackWednesday - Spring in Big Bend NP

This one time I got in my car at 11 pm and drove to Big Bend to see the spring blooms and and to get a couple of hikes in for March. I didn’t quite know what to expect, but I had heard the bluebells and other desert flowers were in bloom. The weather looked good, so I took off.

I hiked up the Lost Mine Trail Head and had some great views as the sun peaked over the hills and started shining brightly. Piñon pines, views for days, layered mesas… heaven!

From there, I drove through the park and did some of the Chimneys Trail. On this trail, I saw so many cacti blooms. The ocotillo are some of my favorite. Damn, I miss the desert.

My trip didn’t get me home until almost 24 hours after leaving. Reviewing the photos and reliving the moments has me missing the desert badly. There are some things I miss about Texas, and this is definitely one of of them.

#WayBackWednesday - Devils Churn

One of my favorite stops along the Oregon Coast is at Devils Churn within the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. The entire Oregon Coast is quite magical, but this little spot has stood out since I first visited in 2008. In 2009, I went back and shared it with another friend because it was on my mind. Sadly, I have not been back since 2009 and I need to remedy that sooner rather than later. Enjoy some “okay enough” photos from my visits and keep an eye out for future photos.

#WBW - This one time in the UP

The year was 2015 and I was just laid off for the first time in my life. We left Texas and drove to Michigan and Minnesota to see family and friends. Here are some photos from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that I loved - specifically Tahquamenon Falls. Cheers and have a good rest of the week.

#WBW - Kalaloch Beach

Kalaloch Beach is a beach I frequently visited this year and plan to keep in my rotation going forward. It’s a special place that I get to share with anyone who visits. I love it because it’s usually quiet, there’s plenty of space to spread out, and you can walk for miles. If you’re up in the Pacific Northwest, give it a visit.

#WBW - October in the Upper Peninsula

Taking it back to October 2008 in Michigan’s glorious Upper Peninsula. Friends and I went up to see some Subaru Rally event and got a fall color show along the way. Fun fact, I started at Old Navy before this trip and they wouldn’t honor my need for three days off (I worked 12 hours a week) so I quit.

Enjoy the fall color tour!

#WBW - Car Camping near Monjeau Peak, New Mexico

It was early in October 2020 and I was working on location in New Mexico. Since there was a pandemic happening, I drove to avoid flying and thus got to bring my camping gear! I went camping with my coworkers on the weekend up in the Lincoln National Forest. This was the first time I camped in my car and I was hooked for quick solo trips.

Monjeau Peak sits at about 9600 feet, and we camped just below probably near the 9000 foot mark. We set up camp at a little spot off the road near the Crest Trail. Memories like this make me miss hangs with my cool workers, my first Outback, and New Mexico in general. Enjoy!

#WBW - The joy of snow

Look at the line where the snow is falling!!

Visiting Portland, OR in November 2021 was a whirly-swirly dream. NO, there wasn’t snow in Portland, but there was snow up towards Mt. Hood. I had met up with my dear friend on the first day of my adventure and they decided to go along on the second and third days with me and suggested Trillium Lake. I was driving up, up, up the mountain toward the lake and had to stop at the rest area where the snow started to take it all in. It was SNOWING the big magical flakes! From there up, it was MORE snow and beautiful foggy/snowy views of the trees. Eventually, we got to the lake. It was a mix of snow and clouds, so no view of Mt. Hood but who cares? The trees were heavy with wet snow, and it felt magical walking through the woods with my friend. We were in our own world of laughing, snapping photos, and being free.

The conclusions drawn from this adventure are that snow is magical and with the right person, life is whimsical. Find the friends, lovers, whomever who bring out the magic and whimsy in you.

#WBW - My first visit to Mt. Rainier

Back in October 2018, I visited Mt. Rainier (Tahoma) for the first time. I met a friend though a Twitter chat and he agreed to show me the mountain. I met up with him, we drove out towards the park and saw the mountain at sunset. From there, we camped nearby so we could get into the park early the next day to watch the sunrise over the peak but not before visiting the park at dark. I’ll never forget the magical sights from this trip. Enjoy some photos - and if you’re going, try to see it in different lights!

My first, up-close view that wasn’t from the freeway (at sunset, nonetheless)

The view of the summit at night, glowing in the moonlight

Just before the sun rose

First light on the summit

THE GLOW of the sunrise is hitting the sky

Full daylight - the mountain reflecting

And a bonus, of me in the sunset glow

#WBW - Waterfall Wednesday

Here’s a look back at a quick little hike to a nice waterfall with one of my favorite people. We did the short hike, over some small hills, and found ourselves at this gorgeous waterfall. There was no one around, so the nature was all ours! We took our shoes off, rolled up our pants, and felt the cold rush of spring mountain water on our feet and legs. The comfort and relief I get from rushing, cold water over my feet is hard to describe. The whole hike was magic, and I’m often looking back to this day and how a simple spring hike with a dear friend made me so happy.

Murhut Falls - Olympic National Forest

Murhut Falls - a closer look

two peple standing in front of a waterfall

Myself and my dear friend posing for the memory - wet and happy

#WayBackWednesday - Monument Valley

2009 was the year of the third cross-country trip that changed the way I travel and see the world. You can read more about it HERE!

Looking back, my best bud Kevin and I hit Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park at the beginning of golden hour. Desert light, shadows, and that glorious red rock combined was a brilliant little drive through.

Always check park hours and operations at the website and pay the entrance fee!

#WayBackWednesday - N. Minnesota

September in Northern Minnesota can be completely magical. Back in 2020, I visited my buddy’s cabin and it was a relaxing weekend filled with good times, great weather, and tasty beers. I can’t wait to be closer to the cabin, so I can visit more frequently. (Read more about my love for Minnesota HERE!)

A Wisconsin staple in the Midwest beer world. PLUS, hammock time!

The sun was setting and pastels were popping.

The colors were starting to change - the green to yellow on these birch trees around the cabin

A little humor in the outhouse - we do use the outhouse sometimes (LOL)

Another angle - the sun setting on the lake, but a view from the boat

A lovely sour ale from one of my favorite breweries in Duluth, MN (a true delight on a mild late-September afternoon)

Some cool fungi on a log in the woods near the cabin

You may have to adjust your brightness, but it’s a night shot from the an iPhone 11 Pro Max. The stars over the lake and through the trees at the cabin are spectacular.

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