A woman with glasses and a cap smiling next to a large brindle-colored dog with closed eyes in a mountainous outdoor setting.

We’re Cynthia and Tex.

Before the Pacific Northwest became home, I spent 18 years in Hong Kong—a city of neon lights, underground shows, and hours spent in front of a screen learning graphic design. The outdoors? Never on my radar.

In 2018, feeling stuck in jobs that didn't fit, I did something impulsive: I rented a car, bought camping gear from a very patient REI employee, and drove south to the desert. One solo road trip. One month of planning. One test camping trip to make sure I wouldn't completely embarrass myself.

That trip changed everything.

I discovered that the wilderness wasn't just beautiful—it was energizing, grounding, and exactly what I'd been missing. What started as a single road trip became a lifestyle. One hike led to another, one summit to the next, and suddenly I couldn't imagine life without dirt under my boots and a trail ahead of me.

These days, you'll find me exploring Washington, Oregon, and beyond—camera in hand, Tex by my side. This space is where I share trail reports, photography, and the kind of honest insights I wish I'd had when I was nervously buying my first tent. I'm no expert, but I've learned a lot from getting muddy, making mistakes, and saying yes to the next adventure.

Welcome. Let's explore together.

A person with sandals resting on a rock next to a black and white dog with a red harness and orange backpack on a mountain summit at sunset, with a view of green mountain ranges and distant snow-capped peaks.
Inside a yellow camping tent overlooking a lake with mountains in the background, a dog with a red collar is lying on sleeping bags among camping gear.