dig this chick

I hoping to keep it up! The writing. I miss it. Tired of writing just captions. New post up about mothering, running, expanding. xo

You Could Be My Luck even if the sky is falling down

Going to the Sun Road in climbs up and over the heart of the park and spans 50 miles from the west entrance to the east entrance. Every spring, before it’s open to vehicles, it is open only to cyclists and hikers. You never really know how high up you can go before the closure (due to avalanche danger /clearing the road from winter’s leftovers). This year it was 14 miles to the closure. Such a fun accomplishment, made even sweeter this year because my dad and mother-in-law joined us! 10/10 recommend. It’s truly a magical experience (I don’t think we’ll ever do Going to the Sun in a car ever again) and if you’re at all interested, go! 🌞

Details: the dates change depending on road conditions, but it’s always around this time of year that it’s open to hikers and bikers. Beginning in mid-June you must purchase a vehicle pass to enter the park (you drive in a few miles, park at Avalanche Campground and leave from there). Vehicle passes can be purchased in advance, but they sell out quickly. But not to worry because you can also purchase a vehicle pass the evening before at 7pm. E-bikes are allowed and available to rent in Apgar Village, right near west entrance. You can also purchase a shuttle ticket or rent a bike rack. Things to bring: chamois (padded bike shorts), layers (warm going up, chilly going down — long sleeve, wind breaker/rain coat, gloves), bear spray, hydration, snacks, sunglasses. Distance & elevation info in last slide.

I shared in my stories yesterday about my house and its capacity and it landed with many of you. Our kitchen table seats 4 and is tucked up under the window. I’m currently writing an essay about the great gift in lessons and togetherness that comes with one bathroom for a family. Our home gets messy fast and often stays that way. Love measured in vacuum canisters full of pet hair, dishes that held dinner put off until tomorrow.

We host gatherings and our home is like Mary Poppin’s bag: she expands to accommodate however many humans. And I just trust that to be true so it is. Last night as we sang happy birthday to my mom and daughter, 20 of us cozy in our living room and I thought about your dms and how it can be so easy to opt out of hosting when we see images of things that are prettier or more spacious or put together than we can be. Truth is it’s just as easy to opt in: shove appliances in the hall closet to create counter space for punch, tear paper towels in half to serve cake, and just enjoy imperfect perfect today with these people.

I left this happy sinkside arrangement for a little longer this morning. I love the hands that held these cups.