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John
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John

We’re John & Kristie. Here we share our adventures in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, along with the places, projects, and experiences we’ve enjoyed together since 2001. Between 2010 and 2026, this website became quiet while we focused on the greatest adventure of all: raising our kids. We never stopped exploring or taking photographs, but during those years we shared most of our stories and everyday moments on social media instead. To celebrate our 25th anniversary, we brought the website back to life. We’re now gathering those missing years in one place, adding the posts and photographs we previously shared elsewhere and rebuilding this site as a lasting record of our family’s adventures. Thanks for visiting and exploring our story with us. We hope you enjoy looking through the photographs and memories – and we’d love to hear from you in the comments.

1272 Articles
A plate of Halloween-themed sugar cookies decorated with orange and black icing. The cookies are shaped like bats, ghosts, and pumpkins.
A plate of Halloween-themed sugar cookies decorated with orange and black icing. The cookies are shaped like bats, ghosts, and pumpkins.

San Diego Zoo

July 3, 2006
3 Comments

SAN DIEGO ZOO, SAN DIEGO, CA :: We missed the off-ramp exit for the San Diego Zoo and drove within a mile and of half of the Mexican border. A...

Travel
9.4K Views
1 Min Read
A vibrant street scene with people walking and sitting on benches under lush trees.
A vibrant street scene with people walking and sitting on benches under lush trees.

Third Street Promenade

July 2, 2006
No Comment

SANTA MONICA, CA :: Kristie and I strolled through Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade a couple times during our week in California. It’s a pedestrian-only avenue...

Travel
3.4K Views
1 Min Read
A giant whale skeleton floats dramatically over a museum hall filled with visitors. The space is lit with blue light and features glass ceilings and multiple exhibition displays.
A giant whale skeleton floats dramatically over a museum hall filled with visitors. The space is lit with blue light and features glass ceilings and multiple exhibition displays.

The Getty Center

July 2, 2006
One Comment

LOS ANGELES, CA :: Today we enjoyed an exploration of The Getty Center, a billion dollar museum designed by Richard Meier. The white monuments are a modernist version of the...

Travel
3.1K Views
1 Min Read
A modern, tiered monument topped with a flag, featuring smooth, rounded surfaces and set against a blue sky. This architectural piece appears contemporary and serene.
A modern, tiered monument topped with a flag, featuring smooth, rounded surfaces and set against a blue sky. This architectural piece appears contemporary and serene.

Mt. Baldy

July 1, 2006
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ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST, CA :: There are two ways to reach the 10,064′ summit of Mt. Baldy. You can suffer over a long 13.6 mile loop that climbs 3500′ in...

HikesTravel
1.9K Views
2 Min Read
A panoramic view of jagged mountain peaks and lush forests under a clear blue sky.
A panoramic view of jagged mountain peaks and lush forests under a clear blue sky.

Devil’s Chair

June 30, 2006
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DEVIL’S PUNCHBOWL NATURE CENTER, CA :: The Devil’s Punchbowl is a curious area of geology, consisting of large slabs of rock that seemed to have toppled over each...

HikesTravel
1.8K Views
2 Min Read
A sweeping view of a desert landscape with sparse vegetation and distant mountains under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A sweeping view of a desert landscape with sparse vegetation and distant mountains under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Ryan Mountain

June 29, 2006
3 Comments

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CA :: After my hike in Ladder Canyon, I drove through the south entrance of nearby Joshua Tree National Park. Honestly, there’s not much to see...

HikesTravel
9.3K Views
1 Min Read
A wooden ladder leads into a narrow cave opening carved into reddish-brown rock walls.
A wooden ladder leads into a narrow cave opening carved into reddish-brown rock walls.

Ladder Canyon

June 29, 2006
5 Comments

MECCA HILLS WILDERNESS, MECCA, CA :: As Kristie attended a conference for education consultants at Claremont McKenna College, I was enjoying several hikes in the Southern...

HikesTravel
15.6K Views
2 Min Read
A white book with 'mypubl' branding and a photo on its cover, alongside a kraft envelope.
A white book with 'mypubl' branding and a photo on its cover, alongside a kraft envelope.

Mt. Dickerman

June 24, 2006
6 Comments

MT. BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST, WA :: I kicked off the summer by renewing my Golden Eagle pass and bagging my third summit of Mt. Dickerman. I hadn’t been on a...

Hikes
18.7K Views
1 Min Read
A stunning panoramic view capturing rugged peaks, a serene alpine lake, and layers of blue mountain ranges fading into the horizon.
A stunning panoramic view capturing rugged peaks, a serene alpine lake, and layers of blue mountain ranges fading into the horizon.

Sips at Solstice

June 17, 2006
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ISSAQUAH, WA :: Education Access Network hosted a wine-tasting event this evening to raise funds and increase awareness for the non-profit organization. EAN provides low-cost,...

Events
1.9K Views
1 Min Read
A man and a pink Care Bear mascot stand together, showcasing their playful side in what appears to be a vibrant toy store.
A man and a pink Care Bear mascot stand together, showcasing their playful side in what appears to be a vibrant toy store.

Kristie English, M.Ed.

June 10, 2006
4 Comments

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, SEATTLE, WA :: About four years ago, Kristie decided her initial career choice in human resources and corporate training wasn’t making her happy....

Events
12.5K Views
1 Min Read
A performer engaging in a dynamic fire dance with vibrant flames captured mid-action. The background features the text 'Cirque Flambe' painted on a wall.
A performer engaging in a dynamic fire dance with vibrant flames captured mid-action. The background features the text 'Cirque Flambe' painted on a wall.

Washington, D.C.

June 5, 2006
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WASHINGTON, D.C. :: From New York City, it’s a four hour drive and nearly $20 in toll fees to Washington, D.C. A co-worker and I were visiting the headquarters of...

Travel
3.8K Views
1 Min Read
A spacious museum interior with a blue-tiled ceiling and multiple exhibit displays. Visitors are seen observing screens and aquariums.
A spacious museum interior with a blue-tiled ceiling and multiple exhibit displays. Visitors are seen observing screens and aquariums.

Museum of Natural History

June 4, 2006
3 Comments

NEW YORK CITY, NY :: What a fascinating place! The American Museum of Natural History displays some of the most breathtaking wonders of our world, including a full scale model...

Travel
9.4K Views
1 Min Read
A close-up of the 'Imagine' mosaic in Central Park adorned with flowers and candles as a tribute.
A close-up of the 'Imagine' mosaic in Central Park adorned with flowers and candles as a tribute.

Central Park

June 4, 2006
7 Comments

CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK CITY, NY :: I really enjoyed my walks through Central Park, even though it rained the entire time and I didn’t have any idea where I...

Travel
21.9K Views
1 Min Read
A flowing river surrounded by lush green trees and a wooden bridge. The water appears smooth and silky from a long exposure technique.
A flowing river surrounded by lush green trees and a wooden bridge. The water appears smooth and silky from a long exposure technique.

New York, New York

June 3, 2006
2 Comments

NEW YORK CITY, NY :: Lucky me, I was able to extend a business trip to visit The Big Apple for the very first time! I only had a couple...

Travel
6.2K Views
2 Min Read
A serene view of the sky and clouds below as seen from an airplane wing during sunset.
A serene view of the sky and clouds below as seen from an airplane wing during sunset.

The TSX

May 27, 2006
7 Comments

EDMONDS, WA :: Check out Kristie’s new ride! Kristie replaced her Acura Integra with a sporty, new Acura TSX. It looks and drives great! The TSX has several features that...

Misc
21.9K Views
1 Min Read
Yellow and blue striped circus tent top. Metal flag on top of the tent.
Yellow and blue striped circus tent top. Metal flag on top of the tent.

Cirque du Soleil: Varekai

May 21, 2006
6 Comments

MARYMOOR PARK, REDMOND, WA :: Kristie and I invited my parents to see Varekai, another amazing Cirque du Soleil show touring the world and making a stop at Redmond’s...

Shows
18.7K Views
1 Min Read
A close-up view of a textured white carpet alongside red wine and ultra pure white color swatches on a wooden surface.
A close-up view of a textured white carpet alongside red wine and ultra pure white color swatches on a wooden surface.

Home

May 8, 2006
5 Comments

EDMONDS, WA :: Will the renovating ever end? Probably not, but after nearly five weeks of working on the house, we think we deserve a small break. It has been...

Projects
15.6K Views
1 Min Read
A 'Sold' sign displayed on a real estate property featuring the Sutton Real Estate branding and contact information.
A 'Sold' sign displayed on a real estate property featuring the Sutton Real Estate branding and contact information.

Our First House

March 17, 2006
14 Comments

EDMONDS, WA :: I apologize for the lack of posts lately, but I have a good excuse: Kristie and I have been very busy searching for our first house! After...

Events
43.8K Views
2 Min Read
Vibrant circus tents with yellow and blue stripes under a cloudy sky.
Vibrant circus tents with yellow and blue stripes under a cloudy sky.

Drops

February 26, 2006
6 Comments

FREMONT, SEATTLE, WA :: Kristie has been encouraging me to shoot more still life and abstract photography. As with the Smoke Tendrils, this is a very simple subject that the...

Projects
18.7K Views
1 Min Read
Brightly colored autumn-themed cookies arranged on a wooden table.
Brightly colored autumn-themed cookies arranged on a wooden table.

Cannon Beach

February 19, 2006
6 Comments

CANNON BEACH, OR :: Kristie and I spent a wonderful weekend at Cannon Beach. We stayed at the Hallmark Resort in a cozy, firelit room with a private deck overlooking...

Travel
18.7K Views
1 Min Read
A group of people snowshoeing through a snowy forest with frosted trees under a cloudy sky. The scene captures the serene beauty of winter exploration.
A group of people snowshoeing through a snowy forest with frosted trees under a cloudy sky. The scene captures the serene beauty of winter exploration.

Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2006
2 Comments

FREMONT, SEATTLE, WA :: Kristie and I celebrated our 5th Valentine’s Day with a date at the Laugh Lovers Ball: “An Evening of Sophisticated Silliness” in the...

Events
6.2K Views
1 Min Read
A tall, spiraling tower with a pointed top stands against a clear blue sky.
A tall, spiraling tower with a pointed top stands against a clear blue sky.

Lower Gray Wolf River

February 11, 2006
5 Comments

OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST, WA :: My first overnight backpacking trip was seven years ago on the Gray Wolf River. Until today, I had never been back. It’s too bad it...

Hikes
15.6K Views
2 Min Read
A group of six friends laughing together wearing holiday scarves and accessories.
A group of six friends laughing together wearing holiday scarves and accessories.

Smoke Tendrils

February 9, 2006
4 Comments

FREMONT, SEATTLE, WA :: It’s amazing what you can do with a couple sticks of incense and a few lights! You’re looking at photos of smoke tendrils, colored with a...

Projects
12.5K Views
1 Min Read
A close-up shot of a bowl filled with rich chili con carne, showcasing chunks of beef, corn, and beans.
A close-up shot of a bowl filled with rich chili con carne, showcasing chunks of beef, corn, and beans.

Spicy Vegan Chili

January 27, 2006
20 Comments

FREMONT, SEATTLE, WA :: I make this chili for Kristie about once a month. It’s her absolute favorite recipe. Despite being vegan, the chili is thick, hearty, spicy and...

Projects
62.5K Views
2 Min Read
Tranquil lake surrounded by misty mountains with waterfalls cascading down. A lone evergreen stands in the foreground.
Tranquil lake surrounded by misty mountains with waterfalls cascading down. A lone evergreen stands in the foreground.

Rialto Beach

January 23, 2006
4 Comments

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA :: I used some vacation time to enjoy my last two days as a twenty-something. The weather forecast predicted a strong possibility of sunshine, so I...

Hikes
12.5K Views
1 Min Read
Two kids wearing swim goggles and pink rash guards play with colorful balls at the edge of a blue pool. Lush green bushes and a white railing are visible in the background.
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A person reaches up to pick green plums from a tree in a sunlit orchard.
A winding road curves through a vibrant autumn forest with colorful leaves and a guardrail on the side.
A massive sea stack stands prominently against a clear blue sky at Cannon Beach, Oregon. The tide has receded, revealing barnacle-covered rocks in the wadeable water in the foreground.
A vibrant yellow finch with black markings perches on a plant stem.
A cozy living space featuring a sleek black fireplace flanked by elegant white built-in shelves. The scene is complemented by warm wood flooring and soft carpeting.
A bald eagle rests on a moss-covered branch in a dense forest. The bird’s white head contrasts with its dark brown body, surrounded by bare branches.
John and Kristie pose in front of the vibrant and colorful Kooza Cirque du Soleil backdrop. They are smiling joyfully, sharing a moment of excitement and anticipation.
A colorful grid of childlike drawings featuring a cat, girl, pig, and unicorn. The simple line art is drawn on orange, pink, and yellow paper.
A group of engaged children looking up at colorful balloons against a lush green backdrop.
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A sweeping view of a desert landscape with sparse vegetation and distant mountains under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A serene mountain viewpoint featuring two benches overlooking lush green valleys and distant lakes under a partly cloudy sky.
An orange 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with the number 01 on the door. A person is driving a replica vehicle in front of a movie mural.
Santa Claus poses on a green couch with two girls wearing red Christmas hats. A festive holiday wreath hangs on the red wall behind them.
A family of four enjoys together ice cream cones on a stone bench outdoors, capturing a relaxed and happy moment during a trip in the Pacific Northwest.
A family gathers around a birthday cake with candles. A woman and two girls smile together inside a home.
A rugged volcanic landscape features dark lava rocks in the foreground and snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky.
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