I finally did it. I went hiking up to Eagle Lake last weekend. Honestly, the trail was tougher than I expected, but the view at the top was completely worth it. We started early in the morning, around 6 AM, to avoid the midday heat. The first couple of miles were a steady climb through a pine forest. There was a stream crossing that was a bit tricky because the rocks were slippery. Saw a deer about halfway up, just standing there looking at us. Took about three hours to reach the lake. The water was incredibly clear, you could see the bottom even from the shore. We had lunch there, just sitting on a log. Didn't see another soul for almost an hour. Made it back down by 1 PM. My legs were sore the next day, but it was a good kind of sore. Definitely planning to go again next month, maybe try a different trail. I heard the fall colors up there are amazing. I need to get in better shape for it, maybe start running in the mornings or something. Anyway, just wanted to share that little adventure.

So I finally tried making sourdough bread from scratch. I've been talking about it for months and just never got around to it. My starter took about two weeks to get active. I named it Floury. I fed it every day, kept it on the kitchen counter. The first loaf I attempted came out like a dense brick. It was edible but honestly not great. I looked up a few different recipes online and realized I was using too much whole wheat flour in the starter. Switched to a mix of all-purpose and rye, and it made a huge difference. The second loaf had a much better crumb and a nice crispy crust. The smell of fresh baked bread is just incredible. It fills up the whole house. I've been experimenting with adding different seeds and herbs. Made one with rosemary and sea salt that turned out fantastic. I think I've found a new hobby. My coworkers have been happy to take the extras off my hands. Let me know if you want me to save you a loaf next time.