Camping in the Cascades // SBL 2k17

Hello friends,

This week I was able to pack up, grab a friend, and relax (as much as you can in 90 degree heat) in the beautiful outdoors. My friend Demetria and I are both working and taking summer classes, but we decided we both needed a little break from it all. For three days, we did minimal school work, hiked, attempted to take instagram-worthy pictures, read, and smelt like smoke and sweat. It was a wonderful trip. 

We reserved a little camping site in Newhalem, a small company town located right before you start the drive up the North Cascades National Park Pass. It's absolutely beautiful up there, definitely an underrated national park. If you ever get the chance to go, take it! We stopped at a few viewpoints and took a hike (more on that in a future post), but there were also quite a few smaller hikes down by our campsite that we explored. A couple years ago, there was a big forest fire, so a ton of the forest was burnt down, but there were wild flowers everywhere and a beautiful creek with huge boulders. In the 95 degree weather, Demi and I welcomed the freezing cold water.                                                                                       

On one of our little hikes, we found a big stump and couldn't help but take a few pictures. Maybe yoga and ballet aren't are specialities, but being photogenic definitely is. ;) 

Of course, we had to stop for ice cream on our way back home. We visited this adorable little ice-cream stand that sold organic raspberry chocolate chip ice cream, and let me tell you, it was pretty darn yummy. They had a little garden of wild flowers out back too and Demi and I couldn't resist, so we snapped a few photos of our ice cream. Sure, some of it melted in the process, but that's the price we had to pay.

What kind of summer adventures have you been on yet? I feel like camping is a must during this time of year. Anything crossed off you bucket list? Don't forget to check on mine, because I'm getting through my list and it's exciting ;) 

Have a wonderful day,

Elizabeth

Hiking Fragrance Lake // SBL 2k17

Hey there friends,

If you've read my summer bucket list post (which you obvisouly should go do if you haven't), then you'd know my number 1 thing was to hike Fragrance Lake. A couple day ago, my dear friend Chloe and I did just that. After a six mile roundtrip hike full of switchbacks, sweat, and satisfying views, I had completed my first activity on my to do list, and then ate a well deserved burger. Of course, did you really go on a hike if you didn't take photos? Chloe and I say no, so here are a few of my favorites.

After 1000 feet in elevation in a little over 2.5 miles, we made it to the top where there laid a beautiful lake. It was just another mile of a relatively flat path around the lake, which of course had many trails down to the water where we waded and got attacked by the mosquitos. Note to self: bring bug spray next time. As always, Chloe and I were ill prepared, and we didn't bring swimsuits either, but we watched a few people swim and some dogs enjoy the water. But boy let me tell you, how I would have loved to jump in that water and cool down. 1000 feet really killed me.

Lucky for us, the trails were mostly shaded by the tall trees. There's something so unbelievably peaceful about walking in the woods and listening to the sounds of nature. Something so simple always reminds me of just how non-simple and completely breathtaking our Lord is. I think we often forget just how beautiful this world is, and who made it that way. I can't stress enough how important it is to leave your home and explore the world, appreciating the beauty our amazing Lord created that surrounds us. 

For an extra .2 miles, there was an opportunity to walk over to a lookout before continuing to the lake. Obviously I wasn't going to turn down a beautiful view for .2 miles, so Chloe and I both enjoyed the breathtaking site of the water and taking pictures near the edge. I just adore how in Washington, you can be hiking in the woods, exploring hidden lakes, while also seeing beautiful views of the water and mountains. Maybe I'm biased, but I sure do think Washington has it all ;) If you ever need a passionate tour guide, hit me up!

What summer adventures have you been on lately? Where do you find God's peace and appreciate his beauty? Don't forget to use this summer to explore new places, laugh a lot, and catch up with friends, okay? It's already a month into summer, so don't let it go to waste.

Have a beautiful, wonderful rest of your day,

Elizabeth

My Summer Bucket List

Hello there,

Here we are, almost a month into summer, and I'm just now thinking about my summer bucket list. Sad, right? But despite the constant demand of school and work, I still have some fun plans for this summer and I'm excited! A lot of things are changing next year and some of my good friends are leaving on their own life adventures, so I want to make this summer special and memorable. Below are 30 different things I aspire to finish this summer. If you're curious on my progress, continue to check back! I'll be crossing off each item every time I finish it, and I'll link a blog post or instagram photo that documents the event.

i. hike fragrance lake. i discovered this lake online last year, and ever since i've been super curious. it looks a bit difficult, but it has a really cool viewpoint and then a lake you can walk around and swim in.

ii. jump off the boardwalk. there's an adorable small town near my house that has a board walk people enjoy jumping off of. i've always wanted to try it, so maybe this summer i will.

iii. explore seattle like a tourist. even though i live less than two hours away from seattle, i've never truly discovered it. this summer i'll be grabbing a couple friends and exploring it like a true tourist.

iv. go sunrise hiking. mornings are not my favorite, but sunrises and breakfast dates with a good friend make it worth the early wake up.

v. roadtrip to vancouver. another major city not too far away from me that i haven't explored.

vi. buy a homeless person a meal. there's not a lot of homeless people in my city, but there are a few. hopefully this summer i can find an opportunity to share kindness, warm food, and the love of Jesus.

vii. finish book. i've secretly been writing a book but it's very short and undeveloped. may or may not be about a girl and a boy and may or may not be in verse.

viii. play messy twister. this just looks really fun and full of laughs.

ix. go to a drive-in movie. still haven't experienced this classic summer activity, so maybe this year will be the year.

x. use a polaroid. i won a polaroid last summer and have only used it once. this summer i'd like to use it more and update my bulletin board.

xi. pay for the person behind me in the drive thru. this has happened to me once and i would like to return to favor. 100 percent made my day.

xii. go camping. i love camping, but like fire and tent camping. in the wilderness, with marshmallows, the sounds of nature, and friends that are more like sisters.

xiii. take a road trip once school is out. i'm taking summer courses onlinc, so life right now doesn't permit for road trips. once finals are over though, i'm hopping in that car.

xiv. try paddle boarding. this just looks like such a blast, but honestly i'll probably fall 100x.

xv. go sunset kayaking. on a lake, with a good friend, and deep conversations.

xvi. discover new hikes in the north cascades. i love living close to such a beautiful place and i must take more advantage of it.

xvii. try snow goose produce. a super popular ice cream place just an hour away from my house.

xviii. go to a swing dance. call me a classic homeschooler, but i've been convinced swing dancing is not half bad.

xix. try nature watercoloring. i found the perfect watercoloring book with techniques on how to paint nature. now i must put it into action.

xx. go berry picking. i love berries and i love getting a tan. a win/win situation.

xxi. pick wild flowers and make a crown. because wild flowers are absolutely gorgeous and flower crowns make for the most beautiful pictures.

xxii. buy a hammock and go hammocking. this is a trend i'm totally into now and i kind of really really want to try it out. instagram will probably see it first.

xxiii. bake wild berry muffins. there are so many wild berries around my house and i love muffins, so i think it's really just a match made in heaven.

xxiv. go tubing. it's been awhile since i've done this and i'd really like to do it again.

xxv. play kick the can. such a classic camping game.

xxvi. watch parent trap. this use to be my go-to movie, it just gives me all the summer vibes.

xxvii. have a picnic. complete with turkey sandwiches, lemonade, chips, and cupcakes. and of course i can't forget the checkered blanket.

xxviii. visit the farmer's market. believe it or not, i've actually never been to a farmer's market. i'd like to support my local farmers and businesses though, so this is a must.

xxiv. make homemade popsicles. because more fun and way healthier.

xxx. play putt putt golf. i use to hate putt putt golf as a little kid, but now i find it a lot of fun, especially if there are good friends and ice cream involved.

What about you? What are your ambitions for this summer? Leave me a comment down below and let me know. Hopefully I'll be able to complete at least half of my list, I'd be happy with that ;)

Have a wonderful rest of your day,

Elizabeth

Hey There July

Hey friends,

It's July, and here I am, eight days in, still working on my wrap up post. Classic Lizzy, am I right? But because I delayed so long, I'm able to use a firework photo, so truly I think my procrastination benefitted us all. Speaking of fireworks, how was everyone's Independence Day? I absolutely love July 4th, and although I had to work in the morning, it was still a beautiful day full of laughter, friendship, smoke, BBQ, smiles, and peace. Always a wonderful way to start off the summer.

Currently// Laughing a lot because summer makes me happy, working and smelling like french fries 24/7, taking summer courses through my local community college because I apparently hate myself, rediscovering the joys of biking, living in a very messy room, loving my planner beyond my wildest dreams, and dreaming of many summer adventures.

Reading// The Amulet Series by Kazu Kibuishi. This is a middle grade graphic novel series and it's absolutely wonderful! I've read up to book five so far and I just love the adventure you get to follow and the beautiful artwork. 10/10 would recommend.

Enjoying// (hey it's me just wanting to say that so many of you had such amazing posts this month and if i could, i would give 20++++ shoutouts, but here are just a few of my faves). Cally's desperation binds with hope (because the emotions that wash off the words drown me in feels every time). Amanda's When God Doesn't Fix it (because sometimes God's plan is different than our own, and always is it better), Demi's Being Pulled 100 Different Directions (because Demi is the absolute sweetest and has brought such rich wisdom into my life), Hannah's Get Comfortable With Feeling Uncomfortable (because life is not about being in our own little happy bubble), Elissa's chasing pink sky (because wow we don't deserve grace, yet we've been given it), and Olivia's excerpts of life (because her writing just feels like summer and sweet laughter).

Loving// Sleeping under the stars and fireworks, smelling like smoke after the roasting of marshmallows, sweet old people who always have something nice to say, iced coffee in my hand and wind in my hair, waking up to the birds chirping, spontaneous sunset adventures with close friends, deep talks over coffee, and berry picking during warm summer evenings.

Disliking// How much summer classes are taking over my life, rude customers who just won't sit anywhere I tell them to, the lack of puppy cuddles I've been getting, working during the 4th of July, people telling me I am in fact not blonde anymore, and my family going on camping trips that I can't be a part of (seriously guys, rude).

Blogging// Hey There June, where I talk about what happened in May and the upcoming month of June; Life Right Now, where I share some pretty major things that happened in my life and give ya'll a mini update; and On Change, Being Left Behind, and Finding God's Voice, where I talk about life not always going as planned and learning how to let God truly lead me.

Hoping// To figure out this time management thing so I'm not working so hard to juggle school and work, find a good college group for bible study, spend more time with friends, get back in the groove of blogging, find a book that makes me fall in love with reading again, and actually check a few things off my summer bucket list.

How was your June? Any plans/hopes for this July? Summer is such a peaceful time of year, don't forget to take advantage of the season, enjoy some time outdoors, and laugh a lot with friends and family by your side.

Have a lovely day,

Elizabeth