We are Cynthia & Tex. A human and dog duo exploring the Pacific Northwest & beyond.

A dog wearing an orange jacket standing outdoors on a mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks and green trees in the background.
A black Honda Civic driving on a dirt road through a desert landscape with rocky terrain, leading towards snow-capped mountains in the distance at sunset.
A snow-capped mountain, likely Mount Hood, with a foreground of dark green trees and a rocky dirt path at sunset or dusk.

Welcome

A mountain landscape at sunset with rocky slopes, a small lake in the foreground, pine trees, and rugged peaks with a small snow patch.
A mountainous landscape during sunset with rocky peaks, a small reflective lake, green trees, and a pinkish sky.

20 Essential Hikes to Do in Washington

Explore the List

Explore Washington

Oregon Adventures

California Dreaming

The Southwest

Solo Backpacking 101: How I Got Started (& What I Wish I knew)

A small camping tent set up on a dirt ground in a forested area with trees and mountains in the background, illuminated by sunlight.
A yellow and gray camping tent set up on a grassy area with snow-capped mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Snow-capped mountains at sunrise or sunset with colorful sky and rocky foreground.
A woman and her dog hiking on a dirt trail surrounded by tall pine trees with yellow and green foliage in a mountainous forest area.
Teach me your ways!

Get to know us!

I am Cynthia. Whether Iā€™m exploring the wilderness or seeking breathtaking views, you will often find me accompanied by my four-legged companion, Tex.

I am an outdoor enthusiast and photographer based in Seattle, WA with a passion for backpacking, hiking, camping, paddling and climbing. I went on my first camping trip in 2018 and did a solo road trip down to Utah and never looked back. While there are tons of resources available online, it can feel overwhelming. I want to provide you with all the information you need to embark on your own adventures.

From trail conditions to scenic highlights, I strive to capture the essence of each experience, so others can fully immense themselves in the wonders of nature.

Stay tuned for my latest trip reports, and let's embark on unforgettable journeys together!

Learn more about me here.

A woman wearing glasses and an orange beanie hugging a black and white dog by the water during sunset.

Catch Me Outside

View fullsize For some reason, this 9.2 mile round trip hike was one of the most difficult ones I’ve done this season. The stats weren’t any more different than other ones I’ve done. The elevation gain was comparable. But my body was indeed tired
View fullsize Trail shots of the CAMP BEEF crew out on the YAB trail. A trip that did make it out of the group chat. Took @chrischinn__ on his first backpacking trip. @mckayla.reanne is the real speed queen. Justin is just vibing and sharing insights about being
View fullsize gothic basin // sept ‘25 another year around the sun. another year to promise myself that i will always try to prioritize time outside and my own mental health. another year to try to knock anxiety out the door. - - - - - - - - #optoutside
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View fullsize rampart lakes with caroline, anthony + milly. left work on early a friday to start the trek up to rampart lakes. the first 2 miles were easy peasy. and then the last few miles to the lake were definitely doozy and a leg burner. i questioned mysel
View fullsize Most days, I try to not let anxiety win. Truth is, most days, my anxiety feels like a full-on fight. I’ve become restless. Unable to sit my ass down to sit with my thoughts because I feel like I’m activating fight mode just to fend them o
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