Hey there, thanks for getting back to me on this. I thought the meeting was next Thursday but I just checked my calendar and it turns out it's actually tomorrow so I'm scrambling a bit to get everything together. I was looking at the trail map you sent over and I think we should try the alternate route this time just to mix things up a bit. The weather report says it should be clear but I'm packing a rain jacket just in case. Let me know if you want to carpool from my place I usually leave around six in the morning. The parking lot can get pretty crowded so earlier is always better. I also heard that they added a few new benches along the overlook path so that's a nice spot for a break. Anyway let me know what you think about the timing and we can lock it down. Hope you're having a good week so far.

I finally got around to testing that sourdough starter recipe you recommended and it actually turned out pretty well for a first attempt. The texture was a bit denser than I expected but the crust had a fantastic crunch and the flavor was really tangy and complex. I think I let it proof for a little too long maybe an extra hour or so. I tweaked the hydration ratio just slightly because the dough felt a bit too sticky initially but it came together nicely after a few folds. The whole house smelled amazing while it was baking. I ended up having a slice with some butter and a sprinkle of sea salt and it was honestly perfect. Next time I might try adding some rosemary or garlic to see how it plays with the flavor. I also saw a video that recommended using a dutch oven for the first part of the bake to trap steam so I might give that a shot. Let me know if you have any tips for getting a more open crumb structure or if you want me to save you a piece to try.