Jan- March 2025

 I'm slowing down with the blogging, but I want to keep sharing the things that have brought me joy. So here are some highlights from the last 3 months. 

January: 

Nordic Museum- Ballard One of the many museums that I've been interested in visiting until I see the price of a ticket ($20 for an adult)- Enter "1st Thursday" an opportunity to visit a variety of museums for free on a day they would otherwise struggle to have costumers.  Of course because it was still over winter break it was a very popular destination. The place was packet, parking which is always a problem in Ballard was worse than normal and the interior was very crowded.  I explored about 2/3rd of the museum before becoming overheated and needing to leave.  I do think it's a museum my mom would enjoy and would be worth paying full price to take her next time she visits. 

Otter Falls Trail This is an out and back trail that comes in at around 10 miles. But don't let that scare you. This trail is basically flat until the last 500 yards where you will face a manageable hill.  This trail does involve about a dozen water crossing. Brining a back up pair of socks and a warm layer in a dry bag just in case will likely serve you well- I certainly wish I'd had that as I did take a fall in the final water crossing on the way to the water fall. Trekking poles may also have been helpful with the crossings. The trail itself winds through the Snoqualmie National Forest along Taylor River. 

West Tiger #3 This is an out and back trail that comes in at around 6 miles if you start from the parking lot and 5.5 if you start from the sign that claims to be the trailhead. This trail is NEVER flat. In 2.75 miles it packs in nearly 2000 feet of elevation gain or a 13.8% grade. Which while it feels pretty easy to come back down took my quite a while to climb up.  The trail was well maintained, there was a short section towards the top that had some root issues, but other than that it's just all uphill. We enjoyed our lunch at the top surrounded by mountain views on 3 sides. The entire hike took around three and a half hours. I would certainly do this hike again for that view. Maybe in slightly warmer weather next time. 

February:

Another month another "1st Thursday". This time it was MOHAI or Museum of History and Industry located in the Naval Reserves Armory space in South Lake Union. Normally $25 for adults, the museum is the largest private heritage organization in the state of Washington. What this translates into is 2 full floors of exhibits highlighting the history of Washington interconnected with the industries that have allowed the region to prosper.  While I'm not sure I would be willing to pay the $25 entry fee for this museum, it was certainly a great way to spend a few hours after work on a Thursday. 

Valentines Weekend had 2 pretty cool activities. 

1. Sky River Mead is finally open again after a hiatus for construction of their new space. They have a TON of mead options to choose from, we split a flight of 5: 

• 
  Dry mead- a good one to check back in with between other flavors
• Sweet Brochet- Darkened honey is a warmer more complex flavor profile 
• Ginger- The ginger flavor is there and assertive but not aggressive 
• Blackberry- Sweet with a tart finish
• and my favorite from this tasting- Chamomile - like the perfect cup of tea with the perfect amount of honey and lemon. Seriously relaxing cup of mead.  

2. Ice Skating at a Sno-King complex.  I probably did 60 minutes of ice time.  It took a few tries for me to get the fit right but by the end I was feeling good in my legs and look forward to getting back on the ice again soon. It was also great to have someone to skate with.  Getting to know each other enough to start to be playful.  That takes time, but I want to let my guard down more.

This February I ventured north to Alaska to see where my partner grew up and to meet his family. This is a change for me as normally I seek out sun and warmth for February break, but this year it felt like an good reason to break from my norm. 

We went to the World Ice Art Championships. Because our trip was over my break it was the first week of the competition so only the multi-block was completed along with some games to play and some slides to enjoy. But it was a really nice date to be playful together. You can experience this annually from Mid-February to the end of March each year. 

On his mom's recommendation we went to The Morris Thompson Cultural Center Which was a great way to learn about the history of Fairbanks and the Alaskan Interior, the people who were here first and the impacts of the mines and the legal cases that make up Alaska's history. It's an easy and free stop that I strongly recommend if you are visiting. 

 

March:

Started off in a less than desirable way. My dad was in a bad bicycle accident so I got on a plane to El Paso, TX and drove him 1400 miles and through 6 states to get him home to MN. I am glad I was able to do that and that he is able to have time to rest and get better, but that’s a lot of travel in 4 days. I took a night of rest in the twin cities at my mom’s before flying home to Seattle.  I am wiped out and honestly not thinking much about hikes or activities until my planned road trip in April. 

Once Spring officially sprung, we got a very nice Saturday and took in dinner near the water at Magnuson Brewery My note to anyone going is that you should SPLIT an order of fries as it's enough for 2 hungry people but 3-4 of me. I got the BBQ burger- it needed more sauce but was otherwise good and the Fruit Peddler- a not too sour berry beer. 

Then took a nice walk through Magnuson Park. Nearly all of our first few dates involved walks in the park and it was nice to harken back to those and find another spot that we can enjoy as the weather gets nicer that isn't a bad drive. We also discovered a few new plants we'd never seen before so that's always a fun surprise. 

Up top is an Oemleria cerasiformis or as it's commonly known an Osoberry plant whose berries, leaves and bark have been used by local tribes for healing and its wood is good for making arrows. And the bright fuschia flower on the bottom is a Ribes sanguineum or Red Flowering Currant plant. While the Red Flowering current fruit is edible it's not a great flavor, but the flowers are apparently used to infuse spirits. 

At the end of the month we took in a Sofar Sounds Show. Which was a fun new thing to try.  I knew the neighborhood I was booking in and that it was a show that would have 3 new local acts. But that was all I knew until 36 hours before the show when I got the venue and then an hour before the show when I got the artists.  It was fun. We got a cocktail, and brought a blanket to curl up under for the show.  I was familiar with one of the artists a Residency  alumni who I saw in concert at Benaroya in the fall @IaMcHaMel who was supported by a beautiful acoustic guitar and if your hip hop doesn't have acoustic guitar you are missing out, they are were really good. I will probably take in another so far show in the future- especially since they do it at wineries in the summer months. 

Mentally and emotionally I am in a much better place than I was this time last year.  January of 2024 turned my life upside down, and I just knew I needed out, but forward honestly wasn't on my mind. I am now in a place where I think about what my future looks like, more than just a day at a time.  Looking forward to what the warmer months have in store. 

Signing off for now

-Claire

Praise from my Grandmother

Not a big blog, just wanted to document it so I don't forget it. My last grandparent is not the most cuddly. I know she loves me and that she's proud of me, but its not something that's said often. So today when she called to tell me she was thankful for me and proud of me for taking care of my dad last week, it meant a lot. The last 2 weeks have been rough for a lot of reasons, not least of which was driving 1300+ miles to get my dad back to Minnesota from New Mexico after an injury. To have her say the words she was proud and thankful, matters. So I'm putting it down in writing so on the days that I feel like what I do doesn't matter, I have a reminder. It does and it was noticed, by someone who does not hand out compliments or praise lightly. 

cutting out the EXTRAS

 I like millions of other participated in the Economic Boycott on February 28th, 2025. And what I realized is how much I superfluously spend in because I'm bored, or lonely, or just because. So I'm taking the next few months to see how I can go with only buying things I need. 

This isn't to say I'm not going to have fun or stop going to events, because now more than ever we need to be supporting the arts. But it does mean that I'm not buying what I don't need in terms of beauty products, personal care, cleaning, clothing and food. 

I have a VERY full store cupboard at home and while I'll still need to get fresh ingredients to be able to use it up, I can and will use it up before feeling the need to add food to my pantry. I need to do more cooking. Easy meals that I can whip up on a weeknight, but use up what I have instead of getting take out or pre-packaged meals mostly from companies would actively don't support me or my values. 

I still have WAY to much clothing. And while there are certainly things I want. There really isn't anything I need, except a new pair of hiking pants, but I'll be using my REI membership payback to go towards that which will bring down that price a lot. I need to find a tailor to help make some of my clothing more wearable for me, but again supporting small local businesses instead of fast fashion and big chains. 

I wear very little if any makeup any more. I certainly don't need any more for how little a wear, so unless I use up my go to eye brow or lip pencil or finally make it through ALL of the mascara samples, I don't need to add to the collection. Same goes for other body and hair products. I can use up what I have, take back the space all these items are taking up in my home, figure out what I actually like and only repurchase that. 

I have enough paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags and recycle bags to get me to the end of the school year if not the renewal date for my lease in October. I can limit what I bring into my home. 

So that's my plan. I will probably still have lists on wish lists and want lists, but for the next few months. if it's not a need it can wait. 

* Exceptions- materials to make gifts for others and taking my mom out when she is in town for mother's day.