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Yeah I finally made it out to Pine Ridge last weekend and the weather was perfect for hiking. The trail was a bit muddy from the rain earlier in the week but nothing too bad. We saw a deer about halfway up the trail just standing there watching us for a solid minute before it wandered off into the trees. The view from the top was incredible you could see the whole valley and the lake on the other side. We sat up there for almost an hour just taking it in. I brought some trail mix and apples for a snack and we talked about planning a longer trip for next spring maybe a two night backpacking loop. If you are interested let me know I can send you the MnikXYLnPkfos details from the ranger station website. They have maps and permit info posted online. I am hoping we can get a group together because it is always more fun with company.

I tried a new sourdough recipe last weekend and it actually turned out pretty well for a first attempt. The starter took about a week to get active enough and I was worried I had killed it at one point because it stopped bubbling for two days. But I fed it regularly and it came back to life. The dough was super sticky to work with and I definitely made a mess on the counter but the final loaf had a nice crust and the inside was chewy with good air pockets. I brought it to a dinner party and everyone seemed to like it. My next goal is to try a rye version with caraway seeds. I have been watching a lot of videos online to pick up tips. It is a lot more work than buying bread at the store but the process is kind of meditative and the smell while it bakes is amazing. I am already planning my next bake for this weekend.