Maggie came to visit!!

Maggie came to visit last weekend. I wanted her to have some sunshine, but apparently that was asking too much of Washington. We went sea kayaking, hiking and anything else you can do... in the rain.

Welcome to Gig Harbor!!!


Space Needle

Space Needle with a side of Maggie


Seattle from the Space Needle.

Underground Tour - Seattle was originally built 15 feet underground the current city.

Above ground - Same windows.

Underground Tour... Rockstar Style.

Me Sea Kayaking... in the rain.


Maggie Sea Kayaking... in the rain.


We saw a seal but he ran away before we could get a pic. He was so cute. I'll try to get a shot of one next time.

Us kayaking.


Jelly.



Lucy swimming in Henderson Bay at Kopachuck State Park.

Me holding a crab at the park.

Maggie and Lucy wading in Henderson Bay.


Mount Rainier... in the rain.

Us at the trailhead of our planned hike at Mount Rainier. We decided since people were hiking up with skis that we would try a different trail.


Plan B: Maggie in the snow on the way to Narada Falls.

Narada Falls.

Maggie's artistic view of Narada Falls.

Maggie at Carter Falls.

Wallace Falls, WA

On Sunday, I went on a 6 mile hike with a 1,700 foot elevation gain with Lucy, my roommates German Shepherd. There are three falls on this hike, along the Wallace River; the Upper, Middle and Lower Falls. I love the vibrant greens of the Northwest!




Lucy at Lower Falls with Middle Falls in the distance

Middle Falls



Top of Upper Falls - No better view on the trail

Trip from Flagstaff, AZ to Gig Harbor, WA

I am officially in Gig Harbor, WA. I took a 7 day vacation/trip to get up here for my first job starting on Tuesday. I made many stops along the way. First was Laguna Beach, CA and San Diego Zoo then up to Northern CA in the redwoods followed by a visit to Roseburg, OR where I did my 2nd clinical. I forgot how gorgeous the Pacific Northwest is!

Sea Urchins in the Laguna Beach Tide Pools.


Seastar


Brittle seastar - They haven't seen one of these guys for 2 years and I spotted him! (He's on the left)


La Brea Tar Pits in LA


San Diego Zoo Panda


San Diego Zoo Turtles for my mom


Sea Lions on the CA coast


Sea Lions on the CA coast again


Redwoods

Buckskin Gulch

My friend Bob and I decided to head up to Utah to go to the Paria Canyon and enter in the lottery to get to see "The Wave". We didn't win the lottery drawing but we definitely hit the jackpot with the Buckskin Gulch hike that we did.

Log stuck in the slot canyon - water gets to that level or higher during a flash flood.


Petroglyphs


Another washed in log.


Pretty Navajo sandstone


Unexpected greens inside the canyon.

Havasupai Backpacking Trip

I am so sorry that it has taken so long to post my latest trips. I went on a 4 day backpacking trip before I left Arizona. We trekked down into Havasupai with a side hike into the Grand Canyon. It was a much needed break from studying for my licensure exam.It is a 10 mile hike into the canyon to the campground, 16 miles round trip to the Colorado river and 10 miles back up, all with a 40 pound pack. I had the time of my life and the most blisters I've ever had.

View from the top before our hike in.


Reward at the end of the hike. Havasu Falls.


Rocky - my adopted pup.


Mooney Falls - the trailhead to our Colorado River hike on day 2.


Along the hike.


Havasu Creek meets the Colorado River.


Grand Canyon from below.


Climb back up to camp from the Colorado River.


Campsite neighbors (Greg, Philip, Jeff and Jeff) built a gravesite for me on the day we trekked to the Colorado River. They weren't sure I would make it back!


Our neighbors had a regatta while we were gone and Saguaro Sam was Greg's invention. He got a free ride out of the canyon attached to my pack.


For an update: I passed my NPTE and am now officially licensed in Washington state where I am working for my first travel assignment. Stay posted for my adventures here!