Yeah I finally made it out to the trailhead on Saturday morning. The weather was perfect for hiking a cool breeze partly cloudy not too humid. I started around 8 AM and did the full loop which took about three hours with a few stops. The views from the ridge were incredible you could see the whole valley with the river winding through it. I brought a small backpack with water and some snacks which was smart because there are no facilities once you are on the trail. A few patches of mud from the rain earlier in the week but nothing too bad. I saw a family of deer about halfway through just standing there watching me pass. The fall colors are starting to show at the higher elevations mostly the maples turning orange and red. I am thinking of going back next weekend with a friend who has not been there before. There is a shorter trail that would be perfect for a more relaxed afternoon hike. I will let you know if you want to join. The drive out was about forty minutes but totally worth it for the peace and quiet. I packed a thermos of coffee and sat on a bench at the summit for a while just taking it all in.

So I tried making that pasta dish you mentioned the other night and it turned out really well. I used whole wheat penne instead of regular spaghetti because that is what I had in the pantry. The sauce was pretty simple garlic olive oil cherry tomatoes and fresh basil from the plant on my windowsill. I added some toasted pine nuts for crunch and a sprinkle of parmesan on top. The whole thing came together in about twenty minutes which is perfect for a weeknight dinner. I paired it with a simple side salad with a lemon vinaigrette. Next time I might add some grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein. The leftovers reheated nicely for lunch the next day too. I think the key was letting the tomatoes cook down slowly so they released all their juices. That created a nice light sauce without needing any cream or butter. Let me know if you want the exact measurements I used. I also found a good white wine that paired nicely nothing fancy just a crisp pinot grigio. Overall it was a solid weeknight meal that did not require a ton of effort or cleanup.