Oh I finally tried that sourdough starter from scratch and it actually turned out better than I expected. I kept it on the counter for about a week feeding it every day and it got super bubbly. The first loaf was a little flat but the second one had a really nice crust and chewy inside. My neighbor who bakes all the time said it looked great for a first attempt. I think the key was keeping it in a warm spot and not overfeeding it. Anyway I'm hoping to make a good batch of cinnamon rolls with the discard this weekend. Let me know if you want me to save you a loaf or two I can drop it off after work one day.

You asked about that hiking trail I tried last Sunday so here is the full story. I parked at the lower lot around 7:30 in the morning and the fog was just starting to lift. The first mile was all switchbacks through pine forest and the ground was still a little damp from the rain the night before. I passed a couple of trail runners coming down who said the top was clear. About halfway up I stopped at a rocky overlook where I could see the whole valley spread out below with the river winding through it. There were wildflowers blooming along the edges purple and yellow and a few orange ones I did not recognize. I sat there for maybe ten minutes just listening to the birds and the wind before moving on. The last half mile got steep and I had to use my hands a few times to scramble over some big boulders but the view at the summit was worth every bit of effort. I ate my sandwich sitting on a flat rock looking out at three different mountain ranges layered in shades of blue and gray. The whole loop took me about four and a half hours with breaks and I was tired but really happy when I got back to the car. I am already planning to go again next month maybe with a friend who knows how to identify all those flowers.