I took the "L" downtown...

Training last week was in one of the suburbs of Chicago. I was staying next to the end of the Orange Line, so after work one day I jumped on the "L" and headed downtown. The familiar rustle of public transportation made the new city seem comfortable. Passing train yards, warehouses, up-and-coming lofts, and finally the towering downtown blocks... It was a cross-section of the city. 

Mt Baker Sunshine

It doesn't always rain on Baker! We went back for another round, just hiking this time, on the shoulders of the local volcano. We were surprised to encounter several snowfields, but the mountain was out and there was hardly anyone on the Scott Paul section of the trail, so we couldn't complain!

the view from Park Butte

Baker Summit Rainout

We were invited a few months ago to join an attempt to summit Mt Baker. After weeks of sunshine, we gathered on a damp, overcast Friday morning to pile into suburbans and head up to the mountain... and the forecast wasn't looking good. But we had raincoats and rain pants, so away we went!