keepin’ it local

TLDR with the post below: Trails are a literal path that can transcend time and space! Snow in September and I’m not complaining! I have been #blessed in the “trail crew” department (nothin but LOVE for my friends and fam)! 

Labor Day Weekend:

Just a sampler of some of the views you get in The Klam when you keep it local.

When we first started talking about a Labor Day backpacking trip back in March, we knew we’d have to be flexible. I was still holding out hope for a late season absolute monster of a snowstorm that would leave us even close-to-normal for snow levels, but the outlook was bleak (sadly she never arrived no matter how many snow dances we did). While wildfires are a part of the West’s environment, the lack of snow can have a dramatic increase on the severity, intensity, and shear number of fires that break out. We would have to be aware! We would have to be scrappy! We would have to be flexible! And if anything, we could go to the coast if the whole state was on fire, right?

Uhhh, not quite the issue we ran into.

Snow?! Rain?! Low 30s?! Don’t get me wrong, it’s one of the most beautiful things you can see on your weather app. But for a backpacking trip…it’s pretty miserable. And not only that, but the strangest sense of deja vu came over our group. 

It’s just a funny coincidence that around this time last year, our crew had planned a once-in-a-lifetime type of trip hiking hut-to-hut in the Italian Dolomites which then got snowed out. And here we are! One year later. Change is the only constant in this world and yet things never really change.

I miss the Dolomites where two plates were required for breakfasts.

In conclusion, we ended up having the best time in Italy after our plans pivoted. All because of a snowed out September backpacking trip. Just like this Labor Day!!! I guess if we just really want snow this winter, we’ll have to plan a backpacking trip for a February weekend. ;) 

Spence parade—all aboard!

Sam, Mel, and Nori made the drive down Klamath Falls instead. A joyous homecoming! Just like a college homecoming, there were games and drinking and raucous laughter and a parade of us walking through the neighborhood and riding our bikes through Spence Mountain. The similarities probably stop there, but it was my favorite homecoming I’ve ever been a part of.

One of the “traditional” dishes in the Dolomites were these amazing dumplings. I tried my hand at recreating them. The pinkish dumplings are made with beets from our garden!

Emily made zucchini bread and brought over the most delicious prosecco (perfect for our italian dinner night homage!) and in the mornings, made us espresso drinks just how each of us like them. Luke set the vibes for the perfect bike rides. Tommy cleaned the house for our hosting (and loves me unconditionally so even though we’re not keeping score he does get bonus points for that). Stewart and Caitlin hosted dinner and games and made vegetarian biscuits and gravy and baked oatmeal. And and and and…it was a sunny, crisp, hint-of-fall-in-the-air weekend surrounded by those I love dearly. All of it really got me thinking about the people we share the trail with.

One of the newer crown jewels of Spence Mountain is a trail called Chinquapin. This weekend it was so nice, we just had to ride it twice. On the way up, we were all mostly praising (and partially heckling) Luke about the trail that he helped build over the summer. In addition to trail work, he also serves on the board of the Klamath Trails Alliance–our local nonprofit that runs completely on grants and donations that give Klamath some seriously world-class trails. Tommy and I talk often about how if it wasn’t for KTA, there’s a good chance we wouldn’t have put roots down in Klamath Falls. Because of their work, we can bike from our house to some amazing trails at our local park, or drive just 20ish minutes to Spence Mountain for some insanely fun riding. It’s a huge part of our lives and it’s all because a group of people were bold enough to have a vision and stubborn enough to keep at it. 

A hill I will die on? THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN BIKING WITH FRIENDSSSS.

Each trail we walk, hike, ride, bike, horseback, ski, love, and share is all because of someone’s back-breaking work. From the idea of a trail to those who laid the groundwork to the first feet to travel it, a trail is a throughline of stories and lives. It connects us to the past and to the future. An exact route where you can see the seasons change or travel someone’s path who you’ll never meet or know. A shared human experience that can safely transport us from point a to point b, from asphalt to woods, from reality to real trees. 

Sunday’s hike in Moore Park post-biscuits and mushroom gravy. I will never get over the views from our (friends’) backyard!

For me, trails have just been a place to have a really good time. They are where my friends have encouraged me to try hard things on my mountain bike and have rescued me from leg and butt cramps from not packing enough snacks. I’ve totally eaten it on rides and hikes and been humbled beyond measure. Trails are where I’ve discovered nature and fallen in love with the outdoors. Trails give enough safety to where I know where I’m going, while also getting me just outside my comfort zone to feel alive. I have no idea how many miles I’ve done on trails throughout my life, but I know my life would be completely different without having had access to them. Because of trails, I’ve found myself and my confidence and my love of the world.

I really owe this to the people who have taken the time to go on trails with me. To show me the way (or who even built the way)! Crews are made up who we surround ourselves with, and I’ve been extremely lucky in that department.

Tommy’s gonna get an itty bitty lil extra shoutout here because has been my ultimate trail buddy and inspiration. He has been the biggest supporter of me on and off the trail. Like with this ADORABLE lil’ pumpkin spice jack-o-lantern latte.

To cap off the weekend, Tommy and I did our favorite local quick hike up the back of a hog (Hogback mountain) (one of the many hogs discussed over the weekend). This hike’s an extra special one for many reasons, but the one that has the most specialest place in my heart is the fact that we were lucky enough to backcountry ski it last year (and on my birthday!!) with spectacular company.

If you ever hear me talk about me skiing, this is what I mean. Photo from Hogback’s best birthday ever excursion.

Who do you want on your crew? The people on my crew roster make me laugh when I’m tired or hangry. They are kind and generous. They inspire me to work hard and have fun. They are wildly impressive with their skills and knowledge (I am always learning from them)! They are fun. They are a good hang. They are you! Yes, you! Thank you for sharing life’s trails with me.

So cheers to the crews, those near and far. I am eternally grateful for who I get to have on my team. 💜

Lots of gulls (and at least one nighthawk!) enjoying the midges on our Sunday Hogback hike!

+record scratch* There’s no way for me to seamlessly weave in this past weekend’s miles so I’m just going to put them down here with some pretty pictures. 🙂

Saturday & Sunday, September 12th & 13th 

Leading a hike for the Klamath Trails Challenge (not to be confused with the Wild Miles Challenge ;) ). For my work, I get to lead hikes sometimes! We walk on local trails and look for birds and by the time we leave, everyone has the homework assignment to download Merlin Bird ID. Not pictured on Saturday was another mountain biking trip to Spence Mountain. Long live local love!!

This tree stopped us dead in our tracks. What needs to be shed?

Tommy and I searched high and low for some chanterelles on Sunday. No mushrooms, but did find some other beauties in the woods.

Total mileage over the last three weekends:

Weekend 1: 18 miles (backpacking + hiking)

Weekend 2: 19 miles (biking + hiking)

Weekend 3: 16 miles (biking + hiking + mushroom foraging)

cheers <3