Tortuga -Hiker - Camino

  Silver Star Trail Today I hiked the Silver Star Trail with my niece Jenna and my nephew Jon. The trail is located in Washington State, close to the Oregon border and near the Columbia River. We made it all the way to the top, but it was a misty, mysterious day, and the sweeping views we hoped for were hidden behind the low clouds. On a clear day, you can see spectacular sights from the summit, the deep gorges of the Columbia River and towering volcanoes of the Cascades like Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood. Even though we missed those panoramic views, the trail offered its own beauty. We enjoyed the fields of wildflowers, including the striking Bear Grass (Xerophyllum tenax), which blooms every few years in spectacular fashion, lighting up the meadows. We were lucky enough to walk among these tall, creamy-white flowers that swayed in the mist. The photos we’ve shared on the blog capture the special atmosphere o...

                          Sisters View from  Smith Rock  Misery Ridge Trail    Last week! After visiting my friends Dolores and Dennis, per their suggestion, I embarked on an incredible adventure at Smith Rock State Park near Redmond, Oregon. You can see some of the photos I took during the hike throughout this post, including climbers on Monkey Face and other iconic rock walls that make this place so unforgettable. I followed the Misery Ridge Summit Trail loop going counterclockwise, a route that offered both challenge and awe-inspiring scenery. The initial climb up Misery Ridge was steep and intense, but reaching the top felt like a personal triumph. From the summit the views were absolutely breathtaking. In the distance I could see the snow-covered peaks of the Three Sisters mountains standing tall and serene against the clear Oregon sky. It was humbling to...