Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Pacific Northwest Seasons: Has it really been a year?


It seems like just a few months ago that I posted my first piece about a hike to Snow Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. But today is the first anniversary of Pacific Northwest Seasons. Already?

Yea, I was a little hasty in putting up those first posts before I got a better sense of this whole blog thing. Thank goodness I’ve since sought layout and design input from Macenka Design (thanks Mary!) and writing/editing feedback from a few experts (thanks to Lisa, Andy, and Stephanie).



My goal for Pacific Northwest Seasons is to share my love of getting out and enjoying this region—both indoors and outdoors—and to build a consistent body of work. To be honest, I don’t have much patience or time to submit query letters and pitch freelance articles.



So I just do my own thing here. If I motivate you to try some of these “adventures,” so much the better.



And you know what? I’m really enjoying myself. (I hope you enjoy visiting this site too.) Sometimes I just can’t wait to get home from a great kayak trip, hike, tea house, or local event and write about it.



Then sometimes I let adventures simmer for a few months before I’m inspired to write. And, I’m the first to admit, what I write is not always that inspired.



Between juggling almost full-time environmental consulting and contract work, I try to squeeze in a post a week…but sometimes I’ve slipped to almost three weeks between posts. Thanks for hanging with me!



A few of you have suggested a book (you flatter me beyond words)…we’ll see. But in the meantime, I’d love to hear more from you.



Do you find this site a helpful resource for ideas of things to do or when planning to visit the region? Anything else/more you’d like to see (or not) here? What are your favorite (or least favorite) posts here and why? Just click on the Comments link below at the bottom of this post and type away—it’s really easy.



Hope you enjoy some of these random shots from my local adventures over the last couple years. Stay tuned for more sea kayaking and island outings soon. And have a great fall—my favorite time of year.

Happy trails,
Jill

(And thanks to Andy and Don for taking a couple of the shots on today's post!)

16 comments:

Lisa O. said...

Jill, I always look forward to reading your posts! Keep up the good work for your readers and for yourself.
-Lisa O.

Ed Douglas said...

Jill,
Congratulations on your first anniversary. I look forward to seeing your posts and remembering what a beautiful place the Northwest is.

Ed D.

Barry said...

Congratulations on your first anniversary, Jill. I look forward to each of your posts. Thanks for the effort and care you put into them.

Barry

Erika said...

Hey, haven't had a chance to READ it yet, but it looks really clean and colorful!!! Good job.

Erika

Cameron said...

Jill, I just wanted to say... the blog is looking GREAT!! Really really cool, and well done!!

Anonymous said...

I'm always happy to receive a reminder to share your travels!

Ali

Patti said...

Fantastic writing all around Jill. Also fantastic tips. Keep writing and go for the book.

I suggest including a sacred spaces in the northwest section which could mean outdoor places and those quiter corners of this city including some bookstores, gardenn, p-patches and perhaps retreats.

You have an incredible writer's voice. Keep posting and be sure and send this link to all of those neighborhood blogs out there to build up your audience : )))
- Patti

Joe said...

Happy b-day PNWS!

Kathy said...

Happy Anniversary Jill! What a great job you've done! Congratulations

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary Jill! What a great job you've done! Congratulations

Mario said...

congratulations - auguri. mario

Jill said...

Lisa, Ed, Barry, Erika, Cameron, Patti, Kathy, Mary, Ali,and Mario,
Thanks for your kind comments! Patti, I like your concept and will think about that and how to incorporate. So many ideas and posts to do...
cheers,
jill

Jill said...

Oops, I forgot Joe!
thanks!
jill

Matt said...

Love your web page!

Anonymous said...

Jill, Thanks for all the effort and hard work (and I'm sure joy) that you've brought to this blog. I really look forward to it. It's informative, motivating, and just what I was hoping to find for those local getaways.

Angela S.

Anonymous said...

Jill,

I connected with your Blog and thought it was lovely. We were just at Inati on Lummi week before last and walked to the DNR beach. I have been wanting to get closer to Mt Rainier…and have not.

N