Hey there — I saw your question about the hike we talked about last weekend. I finally got around to checking the trail map and the loop is about 6 miles with a decent climb at the midpoint. The parking lot can fill up by 9am so I would aim to get there early if you want a good spot. I usually bring a light jacket because the wind picks up near the ridge and it can get chilly even in the summer. The trail is well marked so you won't need a GPS or anything fancy. There is a picnic area about halfway with a couple of benches and a nice view of the valley. I think you will really enjoy it if you like peaceful walks with some elevation change. Let me know if you want me to send you the directions or if you want to plan a group trip sometime. I am free most Saturday mornings if that works for your schedule.

I finally tried that pasta recipe you mentioned and it turned out really well. I used fresh basil from the garden and added a little extra garlic because you know I love garlic. The sauce came together in about 15 minutes and the whole thing was on the table in under an hour. I served it with a simple side salad and some crusty bread and everyone went back for seconds. I think next time I might try adding some roasted cherry tomatoes for a little sweetness. Thanks for the recommendation it is definitely going into the regular rotation. Let me know if you have any other easy weeknight meals you love because I am always looking for new ideas that do not take all evening to put together.