That last hike up Mount Tam was incredible. We started early to beat the heat and the fog was still rolling through the valleys. By the time we reached the summit, everything had burned off and you could see all the way to the Farallon Islands. I forgot how good it feels to be that high up with nothing but wind and sky. The trail was steep in places but the switchbacks made it manageable. We sat on the rocks for about twenty minutes, just taking it in. Someone had left a small cairn near the edge and I added another stone without thinking. Felt right. On the way down we passed a group of families picnicking at the halfway point. The smell of charcoal and grilled chicken made us hungry. We stopped for tacos at a food truck near the parking lot. The salsa was fresh and had a serious kick.

I've been trying my hand at sourdough for the last few weeks. Starter took a while to get going but now it's bubbling like crazy. My first loaf was a dense brick but I learned to let it proof longer and the second one actually had a decent crumb. The scoring is still sloppy but I'm getting better at shaping. I found this method where you do a coil fold instead of stretch and it really helped develop strength. The smell of baking bread is something else. My kitchen smells like a bakery. I gave a loaf to my neighbor and she asked if she could buy the next one. I told her I'd trade for a jar of her jalapeño jam. The crust was crackly and the inside was soft with those nice irregular holes. I think the whole process is more forgiving than people say as long as you keep the hydration reasonable and don't rush. I'm planning to try adding some whole wheat next time.