#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 - 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 - Mt. Hood National Forest

This area of Mt. Hood National Forest was my morning sanctuary for several mornings in May. I need to get back to it and find my trees and river again! Enjoy some photos from my adventures.

Lincoln National Forest

I figured National Forest Week was still going on so why not share a little from one of my most frequented forests - Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico. I work so close to the this one, at a field office, so I’ve been visiting it more often when I have some down time. Even before I worked near it on occasion, my aunt and I had made a trip to escape the heat of September in Texas. The fresh scent of pine makes us happy.

Lincoln NF has a variety of landscapes, from caves to tree lined trails. I camped, in the summer, comfortably at a place with small trees and walked a snow covered trail in the spring at 9000 ft just a couple of hours away. Such a fun, dynamic national forest. Enjoy some photos from the varying places within the Lincoln National Forest.

#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!