Hi there,

Thanks for asking about the garden layout question from last weekend. I ended up going with a raised bed approach using cedar planks, which worked out really well. The soil mix I used was about 40% compost, 30% peat moss, and 30% vermiculite, which gave the plants a nice loose medium to root into. The tomatoes went in first, then the peppers and basil alongside them. I spaced everything about 18 inches apart to allow good airflow. The drip irrigation system I set up runs on a timer every morning for about 20 minutes. So far the seedlings are looking strong and the marigolds I planted around the border seem to be keeping the pests away. Let me know if you want details on the trellis setup I built for the cucumbers. It was pretty simple and cost less than forty dollars in materials from the hardware store.

Hope that helps with your planning. Let me know if you need anything else.

I wanted to follow up on your question about the hiking trail we took last month. The one I mentioned starts at the old ranger station parking lot and winds up about 3.2 miles to the overlook. There are a few steep sections near the midpoint where the switchbacks get pretty tight, but the views from the top are worth the effort. We brought plenty of water and some trail snacks. The elevation gain is around 900 feet total. I would recommend wearing boots with good ankle support because the gravel sections can be loose. There is a stream crossing about a mile in that usually has a log bridge unless the water is high. The best time to go is early morning before the heat builds up. We saw deer and a variety of birds along the way. The wildflowers should be blooming now which adds to the scenery. Let me know if you want the GPS coordinates or a map link. I can also send you a list of what gear we packed.