Yeah I totally get what you mean about the hike. We went up to Mount Rainier last weekend and honestly the trail was way more crowded than I expected. We started at 7 AM thinking we would beat the rush but there were already so many cars in the lot. The weather was perfect though not a cloud in the sky and the wildflowers were blooming like crazy near the tree line. I brought way too many snacks as usual but my backpack felt like it weighed a ton by the time we got back down. My legs were sore for two days after but it was absolutely worth it. Have you been up there this season yet the view from the top was incredible you could see all the way to the Olympics on a clear day. Anyway let me know if you want to plan something for next month maybe we can try a different trail that is a bit less crowded. I heard the Maple Loop is really nice this time of year and not as popular. We could pack a lunch and make a full day of it. I will check the weather forecast closer to the date and send you a message to confirm. Let me know what you think.

Also I finally replaced my old hiking boots the ones that gave me blisters last time. The new ones feel so much better right out of the box. I did a short test walk around the neighborhood and no hot spots at all. Fingers crossed they break in nicely before our next trip. I also picked up a new water bottle that filters as you drink which should be great for longer trails where refill stations are scarce.

Hey thanks for the recommendation on that documentary I finally watched it last night and it was really fascinating. I had no idea about the history behind it the way they pieced together all those old photographs and letters was incredible. The storytelling felt so personal like you were right there with the people experiencing everything. I ended up staying up way later than I planned because I could not stop watching. My wife came in around midnight and asked if I was ever coming to bed but I was too hooked to pause it. The cinematography was beautiful too those sweeping landscape shots really added something special. I think you would also enjoy the companion book they mentioned at the end I already put a hold on it at the library. Let me know if you have seen anything else good lately I am on a documentary kick now and looking for more recommendations. I also started reading a novel set in the same era which adds a lot of context to the events. The writing style is immersive and the character development is really strong so far.

On a completely different note I tried making sourdough bread from scratch last weekend using a starter a friend gave me. The first loaf was a little flat but still tasted amazing. The second attempt came out much better with a nice crispy crust and airy crumb. I have been experimenting with adding different seeds to the top for texture. It is surprisingly satisfying to eat something you made with your own hands. Let me know if you want me to save you a slice next time I bake.