Yeah I think the trail you mentioned would work well for Saturday. I checked the weather and it looks clear in the morning so we should aim for an early start around 7. The loop you suggested is about 8 miles so if we keep a steady pace we should finish by lunchtime. I packed some snacks already and I will bring extra water just in case. Let me know if you want to meet at the trailhead or if you would rather carpool from my place. I think your idea to bring the binoculars is a good one since the bird activity has been picking up lately. Also I wanted to ask if you have been to that new gear shop on Main Street yet. I stopped by last week and they have some pretty good deals on hiking poles right now. They also have a section for camping gear that looked well-stocked. I might pick up a new sleeping bag if they have the brand I like. Let me know what you think about the timing and we can finalize plans. I will bring the trail map too just in case we need it.

One more thing I wanted to mention is that the parking lot at the trailhead can fill up quickly on weekends so arriving early should help us avoid any delays. I have a parking pass already so do not worry about that. If you think of anything else we might need just send me a message and I can grab it on the way.

I tried that pasta recipe you sent me and it turned out really well. The sauce had a nice consistency and the herbs really made a difference. I used fresh basil instead of dried and I think that helped. One thing I changed was I added a bit of garlic at the end instead of cooking it all at the beginning. It gave it a brighter flavor. Also I used the pasta shape you recommended and it held the sauce nicely. I served it with a simple salad on the side and some bread. Everyone at dinner really liked it and asked for the recipe. I told them I got it from you. I am thinking of trying the other recipe you mentioned with the chicken next time. I just need to pick up a few things at the store. Do you usually use the oven or stovetop for that one? I want to make sure I get the technique right before I try it.

Also I wanted to ask if you have a good source for fresh vegetables in this area. The ones I got at the market last week were fine but nothing special. I am hoping to find a place with better produce especially for the herbs and tomatoes. If you know a spot let me know.