I think starting the tomatoes indoors would be wise given our short growing season. We should get the seeds going by early April if we want transplants ready after the last frost. The variety you mentioned last week sounds good for our area. I've been reading about soil preparation and it seems like we need to add more organic matter to the raised beds. The compost pile should be ready by then if we turn it regularly. Let me know what you think about the layout you proposed for the new beds. I was thinking we could put the trellis along the north side so it doesn't shade the smaller plants. The cucumber variety you recommended should do well with the trellis support. We should also consider adding some marigolds around the border to help with pest control naturally. I ordered the soil amendment we discussed and it should arrive by next week.

I was thinking about the trail we talked about for next weekend and it should be in great shape this time of year. I checked the weather forecast and it looks favorable for Saturday with partly cloudy skies and mild temperatures. We should plan to start around eight in the morning to avoid the midday heat and have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. The loop is about six miles with moderate elevation gain so it's not too strenuous but still gives us a good workout. I'll bring trail mix and sandwiches for lunch and plenty of water for both of us. The views from the ridge should be spectacular if the wind stays down. I was thinking we could stop at the overlook for a nice break before heading down the switchbacks through the pine section. The stretch along the creek should be refreshing this time of year with the spring runoff creating some small waterfalls. We should wear sturdy hiking boots since there might be some muddy patches especially in the shaded areas. I'll bring my camera to capture some photos of the wildflowers that should be blooming along the meadow section. Let me know what time works best for you on Saturday morning.