Kathryn Louise

January 7, 2023

January

9 – My friend HanaSara was in town from DC and we walked around Green Lake with pups
10 – Daryl and my 13th Anniversary!
14 – Two years at Taproot Theatre Company!
16-17 – Daryl and I ski camp at Blewett
19-27 – TTC tech weeks
28 – See How They Run at Taproot opens
I did Whole30 for the second time. I learned so much in 2021, I’m glad I took the opportunity to do it again.
Books read: Lost In The Never Woods by Aiden Thomas, I Love you But I’ve Chosen Darkness by Claire Vaye Watkins
Bag nights (sleeping bag nights; camping): 1

February

3 – Finished shawl that I started in April. I am not a fast knitter, but I’m really proud of how it turned out!
5 – Light Board Op sub for See How They Run
7 – Zoom with Emily (and baby Frankie) and Arina! I love them both so much and I’m always so thankful when we make the time to chat.
9 – LBO sub for See How They Run
12-13 – Ski camp at Blewett
16 – Daryl and I see See How They Run
21-25 – Midwinter Break Acting Studio Camp props designer
23-24 – Banff Mountain Film Festival at Benaroya Hall
- This was the first big event we went to since the start of COVID. I definitely almost had a panic attack at the start of the first night. I’m thankful for masks and vaccines and being able to feel air exchanges.
Books read: Hairpin Bridge by Taylor Adams
Bag nights: 1

March

11-16 – PLU tech week
13 – See Clare & Patrick were in town and we were able to visit one day while I was on break from tech at PLU, which is where Clare went to undergrad! I’m always so very happy when I get to see them.
15-24 – TTC tech weeks
17 – Pippin at Pacific Lutheran University opens (Lighting Designer)
- I’m really proud of the work I did on this show, but I also know there are lots of ways I can improve. I’m thankful I get to be a Theatre Magic Maker.
23 – Get permanent bottom retainer removed! My teeth are free of appliances for the first time since 1996!
25 – The Spitfire Grill at Taproot opens

April

- 4-6 – Acting Studio Showcase props designer
- 6 – Assistant Stage Manager sub for The Spitfire Grill
- 7 – Daryl, my parents, and I see The Spitfire Grill
- 10 – Daryl, Riley, and I hike at O.O. Denny County Park and Saint Edward State Park
- 11-15 – Spring Break Acting Studio Camp props designer
- 14 – Sound Board Op sub for The Spitfire Grill
  - I have been listening for “Lights GO” for close to 20 years now, so it was really, really weird to listen for “Sound GO” for the very first time ever!
- 17 – Ski with Mike, Johnny, Mickey, GrandPaw, and Riley at Blewett
- 23 – TTC Gala at Triple Door
- 25-4 – NHHS tech weeks
- 26 – Get Invisalign!
- Books read: Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk by Sasha taqwšəblu LaPointe

May

5 – Pippin at Nathan Hale High School opens (Lighting Designer)
- Yes, I designed lights for the same show twice this spring. I’m not sure if it was the best idea, but it was definitely a challenge!
7-8 – I5SAF Ski Weekend at Mt. Hood Meadows
- Can you believe the blower pow in that photo?! Whodathunk we’d get a powder day for the last day of the season?
11-19 – TTC tech weeks
18-20 – ASM sub
20 – The Nerd at Taproot opens
22 – Daryl and I go flying and see Doc, one of the last B-29 bombers
25-26 – ASM sub

June

4 – Daryl’s birthday! I make a delicious carrot cake to celebrate
9 – All Tharp at PNB
11 – Brandi Carlile at the Gorge! This is hands down the very best concert I have ever been to in my entire life. Wow.
15 – Whomp whomp, I test positive for COVID
26 – After 11 long days (most of which I felt completely fine), I finally test negative for COVID! Just in time for…
27 – My 35th Birthday!
- Yet again, I was going to have a birthday bbq, but alas.
Books read: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (I only wanted to reread books while down with COVID)
Bag nights: 1

July

2-4 – Greaser-McDaniel Clan family weekend in Trout Lake!
6-14 – TTC tech weeks
12 – Finish a shawl I started in June. I added to the pattern and I’m really proud of both the patterning I did and the finished product!
15 – Black Coffee at Taproot opens (staring Michael Winters aka Taylor Doose from Gilmore Girls!)
16-17 – Hike at Thorp Mountain Lookout
21 – I went in for an orthodontist appointment and was surprised by getting my Invisalign off early!
23-24 – 10th Annual McIver Float! This year we brought Saville!
25 – Clare and Patrick were in town, so we went over for delicious Indian food on the deck of their AirBnb
26 – Friends Aria and Jordan from school came to visit another friend, Emily. I was hoping to go hiking with them, but schedules didn’t work out. We did picnic at Matthews Beach though!
27 – Before we completely melted in the heat, Daryl installed our fancy new AC!
31-1 – Explore and hike around Salmon La Sac
Books read: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Bag nights: 4

August

1 – Hike into Thorp Lake
5-6 – My parents are in town!
- 5 – Have parents over and cook them dinner
- 6 – Go to Mariners game (we won!) and Black Coffee with my parents
7 – Kind of last minute, Daryl and I decide to find a place to watch the Blue Angels perform at SeaFair. We lucked out with one of the last available parking spots and last available beach spots at a park on Mercy Island. I’ve never seen the Blue Angels perform before (though I did hear them practice for SeaFair about 12 years ago when I worked in the Mt. Baker neighborhood).
8 – Sneak Peak at Taproot
9 – One of my oldest internet friends Stacy (we met on LiveJournal when I was in high school!) was in town visiting with her girlfriend (now fiance!). She invited me and two of her friends to all get together and declared that the three of us MUST become friends.
10 – Daryl’s friend Jenny from MO was in town visiting. I had a really crappy day at work, but spent the entire evening laughing!
12 – Road Company rehearsal Stage Manager sub
19-5 – Daryl in Montana for Scapegoat
30-1 – Road Company previews (Props Designer)
Books read: Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love by Kim Fay, Fear Thy Neighbor by Fern Michaels, Jane of Hearts and Other Stories by Katharine Weber, Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine

September

2 – I took my first ballet class since graduating. I definitely cried my way through plies.
10 – The Bolt Creek Fire starts about 40 miles from Seattle. The AQI hits 172 at house.
11 – Hamilton at Paramount with Ashleigh and Mady!
13-22 – TTC tech weeks
21 – Betsey rolls over 100,000 miles!
22 – Teton Gravity Research ski film at The Neptune
23 – A Night With The Russells at Taproot opens
25-26 – Airplane camping at Point Roberts. On our way there, we stopped at Lynden Airport, which is an air park (so folks have houses right next to the runway!). We borrowed bikes from the pilots lounge and rode to a steakhouse, where I had the best French Dip I’ve ever had.
29 – Carmina Burana at PNB. Oh my god, truly incredible.
Books read: The Artist Colony by Joanna FitzPatrick, Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson, Kitchen Yarns: Notes on Life, Love, and Food by Ann Hood
Bag nights: 1

October

2 – Day Of Goddess for Kelly & Calder’s wedding. I’ve thought about using my stage manager skills for weddings for a while and I’m so happy I got a chance to help make Kelly & Calder’s day wonderful.
3 – Bivalent booster!
8-10 – Astoria for Great Columbia Crossing. I’m so happy I got to walk across my very favorite bridge with my very favorite parents!
15 – Smoke returns, AQI 153
19-20 – Shadow SM in preparation for subbing later in the month
19 – AQI 289
20 – AQI 314
21 – IT RAINS!!!!!
23 – Squak Mountain Hike
25-27 – SM sub for A Night With The Russells
28 – Uncorked at Taproot
Books read: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel

November

1 – Betsey gets new tires!
10 – This Season’s Canon at PNB. I could watch this entire program every day and feel very satisfied.
12-13 – Visit Will in Seiku. On Sunday we went out to Cape Flattery.
15-23 – TTC tech weeks
15-17 – Christmas Touring previews (Props Designer)
20 – Hike in Carkeek Park, see salmon spawning!
24-27 – Friendsgiving with Lizommy in Cottage Grove
- 26 – Hike Spencers Butte with Liz and Stella
25 – The Wickhams: Christmas At Pemberley at Taproot opens
29-30 – ASM sub for The Wickhams
Books read: A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde, A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Allen & Mike’s Really Cook Backcountry Ski Book by Allen O’Bannon

December

3 – Snow!
7-8 – Banff Mountain Film Fest at Benaroya with one of D’s coworkers. Saw a friend from the grotto there on night two.
10 – SheJumps Car Control Clinic!
11 – Ski Blewett and cut down Christmas tree
14 – Kula Holly Jolly Potty Party at Halcyon Brewing
18 – CommuniTEA Book Club zoom with Friday Afternoon and Clare
20 – Snow!
23 – Ice storm
24-26 – Astoria
- 25 – My Dad and I visit my Grandma at the care facility and then I make Christmas dinner. It’s very weird cooking in someone else’s kitchen, even if it’s the same one you first made boxed mac&cheese in!
28 – Hike in Hamilin Park
29 – Hike in Meadowdale Beach Park
30 – Hike in Discovery Park. The Wickhams is officially the first show since See How They Run in Jan/Feb to not have a COVID closure!
Books read: A Snake Falls To Earth by Darcie Little Badger

Books read: 22
Bag nights: 8
Taproot shows (Mainstage, Road Company, Acting Studio): 13
Performances I worked as SM, ASM, LBO, or SBO sub: 16
Outside shows: 2

●2021●2020●2019●2018●2017●2016●2015●2014●2013●2012●2011●2010●2009●

January 30, 2022

January

10 – 12th Anniversary <3

February

2 – First day of rehearsal for Daddy Long Legs! Definitely learned a lot about stage managing via Zoom – especially a musical.
7-8 – Daryl and I camp at the warming hut (with an incredible fire place), then Mike, Daryl, Riley, and I go backcountry skiing at Blewett Pass.
13 – Seattle got a beautiful blanket of snow. Daryl, Riley, and I went snow riding with Johnny and GrandPaw at Ravenna Park.
14 – Riding high on our snow stoke, we went urban skiing a second day at St. Edward State Park. Skied from the parking lot into Lake Washington! We end our Valentine’s Day watching Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Romeo et Juliette.
16 – I climb a ladder and focus an instrument at work!
22-26 – We record Daddy Long Legs. It felt so, so, so good to make theatre magic again!
27-28 – Daryl, Riley, and I ski and camp at Blewett Pass
We get 2 bag nights (sleeping bag night; camping)

March

9 – I visit the UM Stage Management class via Zoom. I really enjoy being an alum that is asked to speak to classes.
11 – Emily, Arina, and I spend a couple hours on Zoom together <3
12 – Daddy Long Legs opening night! Streaming openings are not quite the same as in person openings, but I’m so thankful we safely put on a show.
29 – Daryl, Mike, and I catch closing weekend at Mt. Baker. I can’t wait to ski there more next year!

April

- 2 – I got my first COVID-19 vaccination! I thought I was going to cry, but I was too giddy, I couldn’t stop smiling!
- 8 & 15 – Two nights of Blind Pilot live streaming from the Liberty Theatre
- 17 – I built a crate wall!
- 23 – 2nd dose!
- 24 – Taproot Theatre Company Gala! Virtual again this year, but we made it interactive with boxes of goodies that we hand delivered.

May

1-2 – Cascade Grotto Ape Cave Clean Up
8-12 – I was two weeks post-2nd dose just in time for Mother’s Day, so I drove home and surprised my Mama.
- 9 – My Dad and I hiked up to the Astoria Column, something we’ve never done together before. That night I watch PNB’s Coppelia, a ballet I have always loved, but I learned I’ve only ever seen the first act before!
- 10 – Mama and I meander our way from Astoria, down to Seaside, and then Cannon Beach. I’m always so thankful for time with her.
- 11 – I watch Bare Bait Dance’s Window Dressing. I’m thankful online streaming means I can watch my friends dance in Missoula from Astoria.
13 – We have some caver friends over for dinner. It feels good to slowly, safely start seeing people again.
16 – Daryl takes us flying up to Concrete and Bremerton. Such a beautiful day!
22 – We get the garden planted! Very excited about this year’s garden.
28-June 1 – Ski Diamond Peak
4 bag nights

June

2 – Daryl and I go to a Mariner’s game! We of course lost.
4 – My sweet love’s birthday!
12 – I design lights for Spectrum Dance Theater at the Seattle International Dance Festival!
14 – Clare and Patrick are in town to elope and we got to have them over for dinner. I of course made them a cake.
16 – After their wedding, we go out to dinner with Clare and Patrick to celebrate. I’m so happy we got to see them! I miss Clare lots.
17 – Kula Academy Whitewater Rafting trip!
19-20 – Cascade Grotto beginners trip to Lake Cave
- 20 – We meander our way home, stopping at the Johnston Ridge Observatory at Loowit.
23-30 – We almost melt in the heatdome.
- 24 – We see In The Heights at the movie theater.
- 26 – Picnic dinner at the lake.
- 27 – Daryl takes us flying in the morning. It is 107* by 4pm. I was going to have a birthday bbq, but the heat was just too, too much. We got one of the last air conditioned hotel rooms in the entire city for three nights.
1 bag night

July

16-18 – Annual McIver Float on the Clackamas River
24 – My friend Anya and I hike to Talapus and Ollalie Lake – exactly one year after I did the same hike with our friends from school, Brooke and Emily!
2 bag night

August

4 – I discovered nectarine caprese and decide it’s the only thing I want to eat for the rest of the summer.
7 – My friend Matthew and I see Theatre22’s Alice In Wonderland at Volunteer Park.
12 – I chop off and color my hair. Red headed again!
17 – Arina and Jesus are in town for Brooke’s wedding. I’m so happy we had them over for dinner. Lots of puppy play, delicious food, and hugs. <3
28-31 – We drive, bike, and hike in to a caving area with our friend Will. I love being outside.
3 bag nights

September

3-5 – After a brief interruption, we return to the caving area for a couple more days.
7 – Everyone at work is officially back at full time hours! Last day of the Seattle Public Library Summer Book Bingo – I read 24 books over the summer!
11-12 – We record the Road Company shows to have as streaming options.
17 – Taproot Theatre Company Uncorked!
23-26 – Liz and Tommy visit!
- 24 – We played tourist to the Space Needle and Chihuly Gardens. Wow, I’ve never been to the Chihuly museum before – it’s incredible!
- 25 – We brave the crowds at Pike Place Market, manage to visit the Fremont Troll with no crowds, and then had an incredible dinner at The Shambles.
2 bag nights

October

1 – Riley’s 5th birthday!
4 – Daryl and I go flying
16-17 – Leaf Peeping at Blewett Pass
18 – We start rehearsals for Babette’s Feast!
29-Nov 1 – Cascade Grotto Halloween Cave-In down by Pahto
3 bag nights

November

3 – 600 days after we stopped tech rehearsals for Babette’s Feast in 2020, we pick back up where we left off!
12 – Babette’s Feast Opening Night! The first in-person opening night since January 2020!
14-17 – I go to Portland with my parents for my Mom’s surgery (she’s doing great!).

December

1 – Boosted!
3 – I visit the UM Freshman Seminar class via Zoom. I hope one day I’ll be able to visit in person.
5-6 – Daryl snagged us a last minute spot at Goldmyer Hot Springs. We were the only ones camping and had the place to ourselves!
9 – My friend Audrey and I see We’ve Battled Monsters Before at ArtsWest. So, so good!
15 – We have our work Christmas party/breakfast and then I treat myself to a little shopping spree at Nordstrom. I almost walked into a Ciara photoshoot three separate times.
16 – Daryl and I have a date night to The Shambles and then to see Babette’s Feast!
19 – Christmas tree hunting and skiing at Blewett Pass
21 – Chop my hair and get it colored again. I love being a red head again.
22 – We take Mike, Saville, and the kids out to see PNB’s The Nutcracker! I’m so happy we were all able to go.
24-27 – Astoria for Christmas (everyone rapid tested before we left Seattle)
- 26 – Astoria got a white Christmas, so we got to ski the Astoria Column! The Clatsop County Snow Riders Association meets again!
- 27 – We stop by Tammy’s and visit for a couple hours before slowly heading home on the very icy highway.
28 – Date night to The Nutcracker with some of the best seats we’ve ever had.
1 bag night

Total bag nights for the year: 18

●2020●2019●2018●2017●2016●2015●2014●2013●2012●2011●2010●2009●

January 12, 2021

January

9 – The day before my first student loan payment was due I was offered a full time position at Taproot Theatre!
10 – Our 11th anniversary <3
11-13 – Anniversary Weekend
- 11 – Daryl and I skied at Stevens Pass and then joined friends in Leavenworth
- 13 – We finally get home after a 28 hour drive
20 – My friend Sydoney was in town from Portland and we got lunch
24 – A full theatre day: my final Spectrum Dance Theatre Frye Museum show and opening night of Steel Magnolias at Taproot Theatre!
26 – Daryl takes us on a flight around Seattle
We get one bag night (sleeping bag night; camping)

February

16 – Daryl, Mike, Elsie, and I went bowling!
21-24 – East Coast Trip
- 21 – Daryl and I fly to Philadelphia and then drive to the AirBnb in New Jersey we shared with Arina and Jesus
- 22 – Emily and Frank’s wedding!
- 23 – Emily and Frank hosted brunch at their house, then D and I drove to Philly and got dinner with Lindsay
- 24 – Daryl showed me around “his” Philly (the hospital he was born at, his Grandparent’s house, and his first job) and then I showed him around “my” Philly (the UArts buildings, my first job, my apartments)
26 – First production meeting for Chicago at Nathan Hale High School (Lighting Designer)
29 – Closing night for Steel Magnolias

March

5-6 – Rippin Chix ski camp at Crystal Mountain. I coughed from my post-show crud and joked “don’t worry, it’s not COVID.”
6 – Daryl starts working from home. Spencer and his lady friend stay the night while in town for a baby shower. There’s never enough time to to visit!
8 – Our friend Tom from Missoula was in town. We finally walked around Green Lake!
13 – It is announced at work that we will start working from home
19 – PNB of course cancelled their performance of One Thousand Pieces, but thankfully the Unions allowed them to stream it. Oh my goodness, it is so incredible. I really hope they bring it back once we can be in person again.
29 – I got tired of not having a spice rack, so I made one! Officially the first “Quarantine Project”.

April

- 21 – My new LLBean Boots arrive!
- We were under Stay Home, Stay Healthy orders, so I basically just made a lot of food.

May

4 – The weekend before we were technically allowed to start adventuring again, we went backcountry skiing at Yodelin
6 – Daryl and Mike built us three garden boxes
9-10 – We camp and ski at Yodelin
13 – We watch PNB’s 2014 production of Giselle
30-June 1 – Camp and ski at Mt. Adams
Three bag nights

June

1 – On the drive back from Mt. Adams, I start rehearsal for our Zoom Cabaret. Running a rehearsal via Zoom on an iPad hotspotting your phone while driving up I5 is *not* recommended
4 – Daryl’s birthday!
13-14 – We flew to Portland and then leap-frogged out way home. We landed at seven airports – including doing a touch-and-go at Sea-Tac!
20 – Daryl wanted cheesecake for his birthday, so I bought a spring form and made my first cheesecake! It turned out perfectly!
21 – First Chinook Pass ski trip of the year
24 – We road our bikes to a disc golf course and played a round while drinking Cold Smoke. It felt very “Missoula”.
27 – My birthday!
27-28 – Camp and ski at Chinook Pass
Two bag nights

July

5 – Ski Artist’s Point at Mt. Baker
14 – Becky and I go hiking. We attempted Mt. Ellinor, but neither of us had enough water and I didn’t bring enough carbs and totally bonked. Still a great day!
18 – We go flying over the San Juan Islands for sunset
24 – Emily, Brooke, Ollie, Riley, and I hike to Ollallie Lake. Always so wonderful to see school friends, but hiking with masks on it not comfortable.
25 – I took a watercolor class with Kula Academy. So much fun!

August

9-10 – Daryl and I got to tag along with Mike and Fisher on Fish’s first backpacking trip!
19-23 – Daryl and I backpack in to Crater Lakes for a long weekend
Five bag nights

September

1-14 – Montana for Scapegoat. We kept an eye on the COVID numbers in the everyone’s counties before we left. They were all below 10% chance based on the GA Tech Event Risk Assessment tool. We decided we were okay with the risk. I didn’t really relax about it until the end of the September when I knew we got away with it.
- 3-4 – Hike in and set up camp
- 7 – Snow day! We woke up to graupel, which turned into snow. I think we got 6 inches!
- 11 – Daryl, Brian, Caitlin, Riley, and I hiked up to the plateau and spent the day looking for caves
- 12 – Hike out and drive to Helena (and into the smoke)
25 – We have three plum trees in our backyard and I didn’t want them to go to waste this year. I made a trio of plum treats to share with our triplex neighbors
29 – We took a sunrise flight to Whidbey Island for breakfast
12 bag nights

October

1 – Riley’s 4th birthday
5 – Mike moved out
15 – PNB Rep 1. Watching the ballet at home is fun, but I miss going out to the ballet.
19 – Dropped my ballot off! I love voting!
22 – Watch UM’s Dance Underground. I love seeing my friends dance.
30 – I visited the UM theatre major’s Freshman Seminar as guest speaker!
31-November 1 – We went on a Larch March and didn’t see any other people. I love having nature to ourselves.
One bag night

November

6 – Watch Bare Bait Dance’s Kinetoscope Film Festival
7-8 – We fly to Orcas Island for the weekend. We hiked in to a beachside campground and had the whole thing to ourselves. The next morning we got brunch at Doe Bay resort, all by ourselves. Then we had a beautiful sunset flight home.
12 – PNB Rep 2
13 – Watch SDT Lyric Suite
26 – Even though it was just the two of us, I decided to go all out for Thanksgiving. I made my very first turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, dressing, rolls, and, of course, pie!
One bag night

December

5-6 – Snow camp and some four-wheel driving
12 – Christmas tree hunting
23 – We flew up to Snohomish and Monroe for a little morning flight
25 – Daryl, Mike, Riley, and I went skiing for Christmas at Yodelin. So-so snow, but so much fun!
27 – Sunset hike at Saint Edwards
One bag night

Total bag nights for the year: 26!

●2019●2018●2017●2016●2015●2014●2013●2012●2011●2010●2009●

July 31, 2020

Adventures: Rippin Chix Ski Clinic

At the end of January my friend Theresa posted on instagram about an all-ladies ski clinic she was coaching at the beginning of March. I’ve been wanting more lessons, especially with a lady instructor, and so immediately looked into it. I couldn’t believe it when I realized it was the weekend after Steel Magnolias closed! I signed up immediately – well almost, immediately. It was a little pricey, but Daryl encouraged me to treat myself as a congratulatory gift for getting a staff position at the theatre.

The clinic, Step It Up and Steeps Clinic with Rippin’ Chix, was at Crystal Mountain Resort. I’d been there once, on a backcountry ski trip last spring, so I was really excited to ski two days in a row and stay on mountain at the Alpine Inn.

As luck would have it, Theresa was my instructor at the clinic! I was nervous I was in over my head, but being in a small group (I think there were six of us) with someone I know definitely helped calm my anxiety. And frankly, having people I didn’t know in my group helped me ski lines I wouldn’t’ve in the past.

The first day was a beautiful bluebird day. I, unsurprisingly, got a sunburn (and then spent way too much for the tiniest bottle of sunscreen at the on mountain lodge).

I decided to sit out the last run or two the group took – my legs were feeling really fatigued and decided it was smartest to listen to my body than try to ski more and get frustrated and/or hurt.

It snowed overnight, so we got some fresh pow for day two. I was excited to see what we were going to tackle! Theresa skis at Crystal often, so she knows all the good power stashes. We took some fun traverses to the top of some steep couloirs.

Definitely the steepest lines I’ve ever skied!

I’m really proud of the way I skied at this clinic. I pushed myself and I actually fell! Daryl has thought for a long time that I’d be a better skier if I fell more often, but I definitely ski like I’m afraid of falling. I blame it on my good balance from dance and my fear of breaking myself because of dance.

I fell five or six times, including losing my skis several times. Because I don’t have breaks on my skis (these beauties have super light G3 Ion LT 12 bindings with leashes), when I popped out of my binding, the ski came down the mountain with me, attached to my boot. I clearly slide down the mountain on them a couple of times. Ouch!

Days after this clinic, everything started shutting down due to COVID-19. Less than a week later, I started working from home. And, I think this was the last clinic Rippin Chix had for the season. I’m so glad I got to take this one! I’m already looking forward to skiing with those badass ladies next year (I hope!).

Today’s adventure took place on land stolen from the Duwamish and Puget Sound Salish.

June 7, 2020

Anniversary Adventure

I was originally supposed to have rehearsal on Saturday of our Anniversary weekend, but it was changed at the last minute, so we were able to get away for a little 11th Anniversary Trip to Stevens Pass.

We woke up early and made it to Stevens early enough to park in the top lot. Since we were there, we napped in the car for a couple hours and hit the slopes around 10am. So much pow!

Both times we returned to the car (lunch and once we were done for the day), Betsey was covered in snow. It just kept falling! We snagged fresh pockets of pow all day long and had such a blast.

Caving friends from Idaho were also in the area for the weekend and invited us to stay with them at an AirBnb in Leavenworth. It was very appropriately called the C+A+V+E. We had a really lovely evening talking with friends and soaking in the hot tub.

The next morning as we were all leaving, we wished Stephen, Cody, and Brittany a safe, long drive home. Usually when we’re together they have the short drive and us the long one, but this time they had a 7+ hour drive home to Boise while we were only two hours from home.

We regretted being smug about 30 miles later when the traffic was stopped on Stevens Pass. After sitting stopped for a couple minutes, we decided to try to get to the parking lot at the pass. We successfully made it and headed into the lodge to pass the time. We got chili at one of the bars and watched as the pass opened and closed several different times. We moved to a different bar that had football on and debated our options. Eventually the Seahawks game started and we decided to wait it out.

Around the same time the disappointing game ended, the highway opened back up (“for real” this time). We got back to the car and got in line to head down the hill.

We didn’t make it very far. We would move forward for a couple miles, then stop. There was traffic coming toward us, but we realized it was cars in front of us turning around. When we were about 3 miles from Skykomish, State Troopers officially started turning people around, but by that point Blewett Pass and Snoqualmie Pass (the other route home) were also closed. We decided to keep inching forward towards home instead of turning around.

We spent part of the night parked along the highway in a stretch where there weren’t any trees that could fall on us (we passed a car that was pretty smashed from a tree limb that fell). Around 3am we decided to start traveling toward Skykomish again. We waited in the Forest Service parking lot for about an hour while they cleared trees off the railroad (both entrances to Skykomish were blocked by a train).

We eventually made it to Skykomish and joined the approximately 300 other people also stranded there on the way home.

In the morning we ordered (double!) breakfast at the hotel restaurant, which was very thankfully open and able to make food with their generator (Skykomish was without power for nearly two weeks around this storm). We stocked up on the essentials for the rest of the trip home and spent some time exploring the airport area while waiting to leave.

They were caravaning cars west out of Skykomish. We snagged second in line for this one! There were so many trees down on the highway, it’s no surprise they closed it. I think it was several days before it was opened for travel again.

I finally believed we’d actually make it home when we reached the beginning of the traffic heading east! I think we finally made it home 28 hours after leaving Leavenworth. (And the joke was definitely on us – Stephen, Cody, and Britt made it home almost 24 hours before we did!) At least we’re not likely to forget what we did for this anniversary for a long time.

Today’s adventure took place on land stolen from the sdukʷalbixʷ (Snoqualmie), Tulalip, np̓əšqʷáw̓səxʷ (Wenatchi), and Yakama.

June 7, 2020June 7, 2020

Adventures: FriendsCaveGiving 2019

Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite meal of the entire year. If I ever have to pick a last meal, I want a huge Friendsgiving-style spread. The more pies the better. (In 2013 there were five of us and six pies. In 2014: eight people, four pies, and one cake. 2015: three people, three pies. 2016: six people, at least one pie, and a very tiny puppy. 2017: pie for two.)

Our improvised table made from a table, a closet door, a side table, and a couple curtains.

This year we decided to turn Friendsgiving into a caving trip, which turned into nine of us from Cascade Grotto and Northern Rocky Mountain Grotto renting an AirBnb in a tiny Idaho town for a long weekend. Papbougie!

We all contributed to Friendsgiving dinner and then I organized the rest of the group meals (we were all responsible for our own lunch and snacks, but a different person or couple made breakfast and dinner each day of the trip). I of course made pie with bats for the weekend. (I also learned an important lesson regarding tapioca and salt.)

On Friday after everyone rallied, we piled into Daryl’s 4Runner and Caitlin’s sedan and headed up the mountain. While C-rex’s car made it further than we anticipated, it did get stopped by the depth of the snow. We all piled out of the 4Runner and then Amy and I helped Caitlin back down the road until she could turn around in a spot Brian shoveled out for her.

We all gathered down at the campground and made new plans. It was decided Daryl, Brian, Caitlin, and I would head back up in the 4Runner to see how close we could get to the cave. The rest stayed at the campground and started a fire.

Sierra showed us what a beast she is and totally rocked it all the way to the trailhead!

We drove back down to the rest of the group and it was decided we’d head back to the AirBnb and go caving in the morning. Unfortunately, I woke up with a migraine (and thought I didn’t have any migraine meds), so I stayed behind with Riley at the house.

While it was super disappointing to not actually go caving, I had such a blast! We’re already planning on FriendsCaveGiving 2020!

Today’s adventure took place on land stolen from the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce), Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla.

June 7, 2020June 7, 2020

Adventures: Cave Ridge

Last September (holy smokes how was that nearly a year ago?) we finally made a trip up to Cave Ridge with the Cascade Grotto. The day before was a Grotto meeting and one of the attendees was a Tennessee caver in town for work. She asked if there was any trips happening while she was in town and we immediately told her about the trip planned for the next day. We gathered her gear to borrow (both for White Nose Syndrome prevention and because she didn’t have camping gear with her) and happily welcomed her to the Grotto.

15 or so of us met in the parking lot and headed straight up the mountain. It was a gorgeous and hot day. One of the guys in the group ended up hiking up in his skivvies because the only pants he brought were fleece lined!

I mostly hiked up with the other lady cavers on the trip. It was the first time I’d been on any sort of trip with any of them. I’ve never been on a hike where I spend the whole time talking with other ladies. It’s always me and the guys, which is great, but it was really lovely to spend time in nature with other women. I need more of that in my life.

We met up with Maurice at camp. The night before he briefly joined us at Azteca after the Grotto meeting, but then hit the road to head up to Cave Ridge. Based on how hot it was when we hiked in, he probably had the right idea! Definitely a hike that is probably easier when it’s dark and you can’t see how little progress you’ve made.

Daryl, Mike and I mostly went on the trip for the hike, as we weren’t camping up there and had to head out before it got too dark. The clouds started to settle on the ridge, so we started our trek down.

At one point on the hike down I ran my shin into a rock I couldn’t see. It hurt, but not nearly as badly as I would expect based on the bruise it left! I think it was a week or two before the discoloration was completely gone. (I’m fairly certain if my shin bones are ever examined after I die they will be covered in dents. Between ladders and caving, I’m constantly bruising them!)

I can’t wait until Cave Ridge becomes accessible this year. Hopefully I’ll actually get in one of the caves!

Today’s adventure took place on land stolen from the Coast Salish, Duwamish, Tualip, and np̓əšqʷáw̓səxʷ (Wenatchi).

April 20, 2020April 20, 2020

Adventures: Spacegoat 2019, pt 3

Our first day of caving we split into a couple different groups: Brian took a group to push a lead from out last trip, Galen lead a survey trip through the Northwest Passage, Daryl lead an intro trip, and I believe one other group went in search of a cliff side lead. I went with Daryl’s group (I’m always a little nervous the first time caving in a while).

We decided to do a loop trip: in through the Dead Bat Bypass to the Junction Room, then back through the Mystery Passage. The Bypass is a climb up that transitions into a pretty tight squeeze down into a passage. I’m really glad I re-read my notes from 2015 right before we left for the trip – I went first through the bypass and almost got stuck. It’s a passage that you should really take your vertical gear off before squeezing through, but I forgot that until I started to slide into it and got caught on my croll (chest ascender). I waited until Kai got up to the top of the rope, then redistributed my weight and vertical gear and was able to slide down to the passage below.

The passage in the photo above is one that gives me pause the first time I’m through it every trip. I was last in line when we got to this part of the cave, with Amy right in front of me. About in the same spot I am in that photo, I kind of froze. I kept telling myself I’ve been through this passage before. I’ve flown through this passage before. I knew I needed to stem across with a hand or a leg, but couldn’t get myself to do it. Amy was super helpful and told me how she navigated the passage and was extremely patient as I figured it out.
It’s not often I get to cave with other Lady Cavers. It’s really nice. I hope it happens more often in the future.

When we got out of the cave, our sweet Adventure Pup was waiting for us! We thought he might go back down to camp with Bob and Mike, but there he was, waiting so patiently under the tree we hung out stuff in. I was nervous about leaving him while we were in the cave (Daryl has gone caving with other dogs and they’ve entertained themselves while the humans were caving, but I hadn’t done it before) and I was so happy to see his glowing eyes when we got out of the cave!

Up, up, up. The hardest part of the entire trip is the last push up the hill to the cave.

The next two days I joined Galen on the survey trip. On the second day of survey (my first day) we got a ton of footage and I was super stoked to push ahead to the Connection Passage with Kathy’s Icebox. Daryl and his brother Mike found the connection about ten years ago. In 2015 Daryl, Brian, and I made the first through trip and in 2019 I got to survey it so it’s officially on the map. Our last day of survey was a loong one, but we finished it!

On our last full day, most of the group took a trip up to the Plateau. Daryl, Brian, Adam, Caitlin, and I took a rest day at camp, playing cards and starting to pack up. The following morning the horses arrived and we packed our gear all back up. We sent faster hikers out first to meet the packers at the trail head. Daryl, Kai, Riley, and I took up the rear.

I love my little family.

After we got back to the trailhead, we all drank a beer, threw our gear in the back of Brian’s truck, then hit the road to get bacon cheeseburgers at the Buckhorn Bar.

While out in the woods, I recorded for an episode of my favorite podcast, She Explores. I reached out to Gale kind of on a whim about six months before the trip – I couldn’t believe it when she emailed me back and was interested in a story!
The audio while in the woods wasn’t great (I should’ve found a wind screen to borrow as well), but I still think it’s a pretty great episode. A friend who also listens to She Explores said about halfway through the episode she realized it was me!

Today’s adventure took place on land stolen from the Niitsítpiis-stahkoii, Salish Kootenai, and Ktunaxa.

January 17, 2020January 17, 2020

Adventures: Spacegoat 2019, pt 2

On Monday we gathered the last of our crew – Kai got to camp around 4am after driving from Ohio and Taylor and Steph met us at the trailhead. Daryl hiked in before everyone so he could meet the packers at camp, but he left Riley to hike in with me. The first group after Daryl was Mike, Bob, and Amy. The rest of us followed in a group – we met up from time to time along the hike, but we each hiked at our own pace.

We took a long lunch at the cabin, waiting for the last of the group to arrive before heading off again. 10 miles in, 3 to go!

The last trudge up the hill was a little miserable for me, but having Riley with me helped. I sang him songs and reminded myself to just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Eventually we made it to the top and I found my handsome love sitting atop a boulder.

The only tasks after arriving at camp was setting up. Daryl and I set up camp just above where we’ve camped in the past, in a cute little corner of trees.

Our mornings on the trip were always the same – slowly we all gathered in the middle of camp, made coffee and breakfast, and figured out plans for the day. Riley patrolled around, keeping us safe from all members of the group who left momentarily and then returned. He’s a very good guard deg, if not a little overly protective.

Adventures: Spacegoat 2019, pt 1

Every year I look forward to our summer trips to Montana for caving. Daryl has been caving in Scapegoat since the early 2000s and I started caving there in 2013. There is so much cave and so many projects and it is so much fun!

This year we had a group! (All my previous trips have been just two or three of us.) We had cavers from the Northern Rocky Mountain Grotto, the Cascade Grotto, and the Cleveland Grotto (he drove all the way from Ohio for the trip!)!

I tried a new food packing technique this year, where I packaged food into different days, with items like nuts, cheese, chocolate (things we snack on often and will have multiple days) getting moved from bag to bag as the week progressed.
It was a step in the right direction of food packing, but it’s definitely still a draft of a system. Every trip we take I make note of what we eat each day – this year I took it a step further and weighed each bulk item and then weighed them again when we got home. My goal is to one day pack exactly the right amount of food for a trip.

I ordered a brand new caving suit for this trip and I opted for a two piece – the Adventure Verticale Taka Jacket and Fornocal Pant. (My other suit is a cordura Meander suit.)
I’ll write a more thorough review once I’ve used it a couple more times, but here are my first impressions after a week of caving:
+ I love how long the jacket is (it covers my butt). I never once got a dreaded gap between jacket and pants.
– My seat harness often worked its way above the belt of my pants. Once I realized what was happening, I became more aware of making sure the belt was fully above my seat harness. It wasn’t as much of a problem after I started doing this, but I definitely had to readjust my pants after getting off rope.
+ Having a jacket and pants rather than a one piece made it much easier to get my layers set underneath.
+ Because the jacket is so long, I was able to open it almost all the way, take my arms out of it and put on/take off a fleece layer, then put the jacket back on without having to take my vertical gear off to readjust or tuck it back in.
– The suit is a ripstop like material and does not breathe. All my sweat stayed trapped on the suit. It wasn’t a huge problem, as I never got cold (it’s all about the base [layers]), but it did mean when I took my fleece off and just had a tshirt on, my arms got wet from the moisture trapped on the suit.

I’m excited to go on more trips soon so I can continue this list of pros and cons (and because I can’t wait to go caving again).

When we visited Lizommy we picked a bunch of apples from their backyard. Since Liz has also been to Scapegoat, it seemed fitting to bake a pie with their apples for the Spacegoat Expedition!

We left for Missoula early Saturday morning (I believe we broke a record and were driving by 5:30am!). We stopped a couple times, but otherwise drove straight thru and made it just in time for our friends wedding! After the reception, everyone went downtown to see Leftover Salmon at the River City Roots Fest – including the bride and groom still in their wedding outfits. <3

The following morning we drove to Augusta and had lunch with Brian at the Buckhorn Bar (a must stop if you are in town), before heading to Benchmark to meet everyone at the campground.
A couple hours after we all got to camp, our packer stopped by and dropped off the panniers for us to pack up. Everyone put their personal gear being packed in in one pile and their group gear in another pile and then we Tetris’d together 70lb bags for the next couple of hours.