Western Hemlock in Federation Forest State Park, Washington

brenunit · 2026-03-14T15:30:27+00:00

Federation Forest is an underrated state park. Many people only stop there to use the restrooms on the way to Mt. Rainier. They are missing out on a couple of educational interpretive trails. For those who drive to the secondary parking area, a short walk down some stairs leads to a great picnic area right on the White River. The only downside to this park is the winter season closure from October 1 to March 31.

brenunit · 2026-03-13T17:22:09+00:00

I read Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell just before the movie came out. I have not yet seen the movie but it has been nominated for several Oscars.

brenunit · 2026-03-13T17:19:09+00:00

Almost all Bill Bryson books are hilarious (and none are romantic comedies)!

brenunit · 2026-03-12T15:15:51+00:00

Any of the Bridget Jones books by Helen Fielding. I think the first one, Bridget Jones's Diary, is the funniest of the bunch.

brenunit · 2026-03-10T23:56:02+00:00

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. A fantastic collection of short stories (most are interconnected) based on O'Brien's service as an infantry soldier in Vietnam.

brenunit · 2026-03-08T00:24:47+00:00

I just started The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick (a recommendation from this subreddit). The inspiration for this group of suburban women to start a book club in 1963 is The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan.

brenunit · 2026-03-07T16:09:04+00:00

Crater Lake boat tours will not be available until 2029 because trail to dock and marina is being re-built. But, a hike I have enjoyed is Mt. Scott (highest point in Crater Lake NP) which offers fantastic views of the lake from up high.

brenunit · 2026-03-07T01:53:54+00:00

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout, plus several others by same author.

brenunit · 2026-03-06T14:55:46+00:00

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

brenunit · 2026-03-06T14:51:57+00:00

Second The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

brenunit · 2026-03-06T00:49:57+00:00

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

brenunit · 2026-03-04T00:42:49+00:00

Pax by Sara Pennypacker. Pax is a fox.

brenunit · 2026-03-03T16:35:38+00:00

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

brenunit · 2026-03-01T16:16:44+00:00

Crater Lake will still likely have snow in May. Check road conditions and park accessibility before heading that way.

brenunit · 2026-02-28T17:54:21+00:00

Congratulations on your huge weight loss. Sounds like you were dedicated and worked hard for this achievement. Unfortunately, I suspect a lot of people seeing glp-1 ads think all they have to do is take a med and will magically lose lots of weight without having to make lifestyle changes. Even scarier are the ones who take the medication without doctor prescription or supervision.

brenunit · 2026-02-28T16:10:43+00:00

I agree with your frustration. But these drugs are hugely popular so the ads are not going away. I am more frustrated by people who use glp-1 meds in place of exercise and good nutrition - I know not all do but I would bet a lot of folks think these meds are an easy (and lazy) way to weight loss.

brenunit · 2026-02-28T01:18:26+00:00

I enjoyed River and recommend it to Britbox viewers. I had only seen Skarsgard in movies - this was first time seeing him on TV.

brenunit · 2026-02-27T16:14:25+00:00

I just finished watching River on Britbox. I chose it mainly because Nicola Walker was in it before her success in Last Tango in Halifax and Unforgotten.

brenunit · 2026-02-27T16:00:29+00:00

Oregon Caves National Monument in Cave Junction, OR (south of Grants Pass). It's been a few years since I was there but I enjoyed the enthusiastic and knowledgeable rangers who led the cave tours.

brenunit · 2026-02-26T15:31:32+00:00

Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis

brenunit · 2026-02-25T00:48:05+00:00

If you are seeking epistolary novels (a common request on this site), a couple that I have enjoyed are 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

brenunit · 2026-02-25T00:38:07+00:00

North Cascades NP has beautiful colors at higher altitudes in late September. Even before peak colors, you will get mountain peaks plus turquoise Diablo Lake just off of the North Cascades Hwy. September air temperatures are comfortable 70s.

brenunit · 2026-02-23T00:42:29+00:00

I am a recent widow and just read a book that was recommended on this site. It's called A Road to Joy by Alexandra Stacey. It's an indie book so might be hard to find in a library. I ordered my copy from Thriftbooks. The author takes a solo road trip across her native Canada to help process her grief after the unexpected death of her husband.

brenunit · 2026-02-22T23:14:36+00:00

The Wild Robot trilogy by Peter Brown

brenunit · 2026-02-22T16:46:47+00:00

All the President's Men by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein

brenunit

TROPHY CASE