One open campsite gave us an unexpected night in Tuolumne Meadows, where we wandered beside clear water, explored Soda Springs, and slept beneath the high Sierra sky.

We followed a quiet forest trail to Terrace and Shadow Lakes, where lingering snow, cold water, and an approaching thunderstorm shaped our afternoon in Lassen.

The Bumpass Hell Trail led us from sweeping mountain views and lingering August snow into a strange basin of steaming vents, bubbling mud, and mineral-stained ground.

We spent our Lassen visit walking among steaming mudpots, cold mountain lakes, and the enormous boulders of Chaos Jumbles, with a solar eclipse adding one unexpected experience.

We hiked 700 feet down the Cleetwood Cove Trail so Kim could complete a bucket-list swim in the cold, brilliantly clear water of Crater Lake.

An early morning hike to Garfield Peak gave us quiet trails, our first marmot and pika sightings, and changing views over Crater Lake throughout the climb.

Our fourth-anniversary trip to Crater Lake included an improvised minivan campsite, wildfire smoke, a clear blue morning, Rim Drive, Garfield Peak, and a steep hike to the water.

Our queen-size Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket has kept us warm while camping in Yosemite and Mojave, sleeping in our Subaru, and staying in chilly mountain cabins.

A scenic drive along the North Cascades Highway brought us to turquoise Diablo Lake, Gorge Creek Falls, Rainy Lake, and the sweeping mountain views at Washington Pass.

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