Still in LAX and everyone likes pictures

Birthday Pie (raw blackberry pie!) and farmer's market sunflower

Riding with Adam on the Lower Big Quilcene River

One handed Wheelie

The Pup. Got fatter tires on the bikes it looks like

How come you're going to China?

Yes I did leave some suspense from the last entry but honestly I wasn't even sure what I was going to be doing on the other side of the world. My long time friend and fellow mechanical engineer Conor has worked for a company ANCO engineers since graduation doing earthquake simulators and shake tables. One of their techs couldn't make the trip and I just happen to have 3 weeks to kill. Ok so it's not that random, I interned for them for a summer in college so I'm not totally jumping in before testing the water, but it's more like a cannonball into the water... after seeing a picture of it... a small thumbnail... like 5 years ago... and it was a little blurry. But nonetheless I'm off to do some training at Jiao Tong University near Shanghai for a week with Conor, then to Guizhou for an installation of a table. 2 days solo in Guizhou while Conor helps out with another project, then I'll meet up with him to finish the installation then back to the farm! It should be a crazy trip but I'm excited to learn more about earthquakes and simulators, more excited to travel to a country where I've never been, and incredibly excited to be going with Conor. We've had practice with building Legos and road trips to Aspen, we're just going farther and building bigger. Unfortunately China blocks blogs (and facebook and youtube) so I won't be able to update till I get back but I promise pictures and at least one good story. But for now, zài jiàn！

Mt. Baker Climb with Ross, Kadee and Cory

The mountain climbing mission part 1 involved an Olympus attempt but Ross, Cory and I quickly realized that we weren't going to be able to tackle the summit in the short amount of time we had given ourselves but had a fun overnight camp on the banks of the Hoh River. The second part was a Mt. Baker climb and it was spectacular. The amazing pictures Ross took tell the story best.

Practicing self ascension at Ross's Uncle's house in Poulsbo

Deep stream crossings on the approach

Camelbak ad

We watched this guy propose to his lady at base camp. Looks like she said yes!

Sunset before the summit attack

Stars and a sunrise on the Coleman glacier

Windy enough at the top to take off

Birthday Hike to Silver lake

Skinny dipping, mountain top champagne, wild valerian root/succulent/yarrow gathering and the best friends I could ever ask for made for a pretty amazing birthday. Thanks Chuck, Adam, Rebecca and of course Earl.

Port Townsend to San Fran to Iowa to Colorado to CHINA?

That's right I'm headed to China. For work not pleasure but I'm sure I'll enjoy it nonetheless. Getting to work with my best buddy in a country I've never been sounds pretty awesome so Shanghai here I come.