When: May 2019
Where: Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area in the Central Cascades
With: my partner and our friend Patricia and her girls
What: camping
Accompaniment: Hush by Rural Zombies
I was determined to start the summer off with a camping trip. Even though the weather forecast was poor, we headed up to the Central Cascades, arriving to a dripping forest. The campsite we’d hoped for was already claimed, so we lugged our gear half a mile to the next dispersed site, a secluded tree-sheltered ledge by the river. Fog hung low over the water, obscuring the mountains that frame the valley.
After setting up camp, I wandered, photographing the verdant spring ephemerals that for me personify the northwest: false solomon’s seal, bleeding heart, false lily of the valley.
That evening, the skies cleared. Silver mist lifted from the dark forest. The day’s last rays warmed the peak above our riverside campsite.
We woke up to rain — it is the Pacific Northwest. Our friend Patricia and her girls showed up to join us at the sodden site. When we’re on our own, my partner and I usually skip campfires — it’s impossible to get the smoke smell out of your clothes, and after reading so much about the health hazards of PM2.5 particles during all the forest fires over recent years, it doesn’t seem worth it. But a campfire is a sure cure for low morale, so he headed across the road to the official campground for an exorbitantly-priced bundle of firewood. Coal-roasted veggie dogs and fire fiddling did the trick!
What’s your favorite fire-cooked treat?
Share in the comments!
This is the final post of the Spring season of Sense Memory! We started in the snowy mountains, jetted down to the sunny Southwest, and returned to the wet spring Northwest.
Three photos and a song, how hard could it be? Turns out, much more complex than I expected! I’ve shared what I learned from writing and curating this first season.
I’ll be running a summer season from June 6 through August 29, with a break for 4th of July. We’ll be sticking to Washington State, hitting some of our outdoor crown jewels, from Tacoma (Mount Rainier) to the North Cascades.
Your images are very quintessentially & evocatively Pacific Northwest.
I resonate about the campfire. When Sam was younger co-creating the fire with Ben was a core part of the camping experience. I’m more of a fire-fiddler than a builder. If you build it I will fiddle with it.
Really enjoyed your Spring season. It’s like a breath of fresh air to find it in my mailbox and go on a mini virtual journey to another place. Thanks.