Hey thanks for getting back to me about the hiking trail recommendation. I finally checked it out last weekend and it was exactly what I needed. The elevation gain was moderate but the views at the top were incredible. I brought along a packed lunch and just sat there for a while taking it all in. The weather cooperated perfectly which made the whole experience even better. I also saw a few deer on the way down which was a nice surprise. If you have any other favorite spots like that I would love to hear about them. I have been trying to spend more time outdoors lately and having good route suggestions really helps. Hope your week is going well so far and maybe we can plan a group hike sometime soon. Let me know what you think about that idea when you have a moment.

I wanted to follow up on our conversation about the community garden plot. I signed up for a small raised bed this season and I am really excited to get started. I have never grown vegetables before so this will be a learning experience. I picked tomatoes peppers and basil as my starter crops because they seem forgiving for beginners. The garden coordinator mentioned that they offer workshops on composting and soil prep so I plan to attend a couple of those. If you have any tips for keeping pests away without using chemicals I would love to hear them. I am also thinking about planting some marigolds around the border since I read they help deter bugs. It should be a fun project and I am hoping to have enough produce to share by midsummer. Let me know if you want to come see the plot once things start growing.