“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity”
― John Muir, Our National Parks

“Trails are like that: you’re floating along in a Shakespearean Arden paradise and expect to see nymphs and flute boys, then suddenly you’re struggling in a hot broiling sun of hell in dust and nettles and poison oak…just like life.”
― Jack Kerouac, The Dharma Bums

oh, that Jack Kerouac, he is a tad dramatic… This hike might have been warm (hot, by PNW standards) and the trail was definitely packed full of people, but the view was so darn worth it. I love exploring my new home state of Washington. Truly a majestic place! These images were taken during a day hike to the top of Rattlesnake Ledge. It’s a fairly iconic hike in the Seattle/Tacoma area, two miles up, two down. There are some steep inclines, but we saw hikers of all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities conquering the trail. It sure is nice to get some mountain air in my lung!

Keep Chasing that light,

Vanessa