Rebecca M. Douglass, Author

Since I'm still struggling to even get a good start on my photo edits from the recent Africa trip (hey, I took over 5000 shots. That's a lot of editing, even when I delete all the photos of the spot where an animal was a moment before, accidental videos of my feet, and blurry images shot in too-great excitement). The majority of this trip was organized through Popote Africa Adventures , who did an excellent job at a very reasonable price, and are completely locally owned (based in Moshi, the standard jumping-off point for climbs of Kilimanjaro). To get us started, here are a few shots from our arrival and brief tour of Arusha, our jumping-off point for our Tanzanian Safari and, later, climb of Mt. Meru. My companions on this trip were my brother-in-law, our nephew and his partner, and in this first part of the trip, a backpacking friend of mine. Packed and ready. Carry-on daypack includes such essentials as my camera and hiking boots. Strapped outside my checked bag is a waterp

Followers of this space may have figured out that I've been in Africa for the last month. After a very full schedule of hiking, safaris, and a visit to Victoria Falls, I came back to the US in time for my son's wedding (a schedule that was undeniably a little fraught). Naturally I don't have the photos edited and I'm not quite ready to do a proper trip report, even of the first bit, but I thought I'd throw out a teaser with a few highlights. The trip had basically five parts. 1. Tanzanian Safari.  Petey Possum is ready for adventure!   Some things have to be seen to be believed. 2. Mt. Meru Climb (Tanzania) Are we really going up there? Yes, we did! 3. Mt. Kenya circumambulation (Kenya) Going around that. Weather. 4. Kenya Safari Animals large... ... and small 5. Victoria Falls Hope that this has caught your interest enough to keep you coming back! I'll be posting full trip reports (lots of photos!) as I get the photos edited. Watch the weekend posts over the ne

A couple of weeks ago I spent a few days visiting friends in the Methow Valley on the east side of the Cascades. We were in the grip of some serious winter, but the snow wasn't deep so we went out for some little "hikes" in the beautiful powder (made me wish I were a skier!). Photography was a little challenging but I got a few cool shots, no narrative needed. Driving out over Blewett Pass Winter trails Critters in the snow Another critter in the snow Pearrygin Lake Winter sundown Hope you enjoyed this little tramp in the snow! ©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2024  As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated. Don't miss a post-- Follow us !    

Notice the name change? I think the "Photo Friday" feature is more realistically my weekend photo feature, and I shall call it that whichever day or hour it comes out. This weekend's feature is a stunning day hike I did last fall up Granite Mountain in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The hike is just under 8 miles RT, with nearly 3700' of gain and--more to the point as far as my knees are concerned--loss. It's a popular hike, but not really for the faint of heart. In early October, it also offered some of the best fall color I saw this year.    We started from the trailhead at 8:15 in the morning, beating the crowds and warm temperatures. The climb begins almost at once, through thick conifer forests. Fog at the trailhead gave way gradually to sunshine above. Avalanche chutes are filled with vine maple and other plants turning color. Once we left the big trees, we climbed for a long way mostly among the vine maples. Halfmoon framed by vine maple leaves Eventually we