Oh yeah, we did the Pine Ridge loop last weekend. The trail was in great shape, a bit muddy in spots but overall really nice. The weather was perfect, mid-70s and partly cloudy. We started early around 7 AM and finished by 1 PM. The views from the top were amazing, you could see the whole valley. I wish you could have joined. We saw a couple of deer and a hawk. The wildflowers are still blooming, lots of purple asters. We took a break at the overlook and had sandwiches. The hike was exactly what I needed after a busy week. I’ve been meaning to get out more. This trail is definitely one of my favorites. The elevation gain is gradual so it’s not too strenuous. We also ran into a group of birdwatchers who were very friendly. One of them pointed out a pileated woodpecker, which was cool. I’d recommend bringing poles if you go. Anyway, I’ll stop rambling. Hope you can come next time.

Let me know if you’re free next Saturday. I’m thinking of trying the summit trail then. It’s about 8 miles round trip but moderate difficulty. I’ll send you the details. Just wanted to share.

I tried that new pasta recipe you sent me. It turned out pretty well, though I made a few tweaks. I used whole wheat penne instead of spaghetti, and added some sautéed mushrooms and spinach. The sauce was a simple garlic and olive oil base with chili flakes. I think it could use more salt, but overall it was good. I paired it with a side salad. The leftovers were even better the next day. I also added some cherry tomatoes for color and sweetness. The dish was very satisfying and not too heavy. I think you’d like it. I’ve been trying to eat more vegetables, so this was a good way to incorporate them. I also made a roasted red pepper soup yesterday, which was delicious. I used a recipe from that food blog you recommended. The secret ingredient is smoked paprika. It gave it a nice depth. I’ll send you the link. Let me know if you want me to cook it when you come over. I’m also thinking of trying to make my own pasta from scratch, but that might be too ambitious. I’m looking into a no-knead bread recipe for this weekend. We’ll see how that goes. Anyway, enough about food. How are things with you?

Let’s catch up soon. Maybe we can do a cooking session together virtually. I’m also experimenting with different herbs – basil and oregano work nicely. I’m thinking of trying a lemon and caper version next. Let me know if you have any other suggestions.