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this could be a little long Then and Now!! MJ

Then (2914) Thank you so much for visiting my site!!! I also appreciate your comments and suggestions, as many of you are more accomplished artists than I. I am primarily a hiker, the photos are a happy result of something I love to do.

I have always enjoyed the outdoors. Living in the small town of Enumclaw, WA. USA, in the shadow of Mt. Rainier, is a special bonus. My daughter and I started hiking seriously in 2001 and couldn't seem to get enough. In 2004 we did 72 hikes in 52 weeks. It was always an adventure exploring new trails and visiting old ones in all the seasons. Each trail in this portfolio is a day-hike, a mini adventure...we took lunch with us and were home for dinner.

1) In March of 2007 she moved to the beautiful state of Colorado and is exploring trails there with her husband. I've drafted MY wonderful husband as my hiking partner. He's been retired for just over a year....so much to do, but more time to do it.

However, at this point in time, we are walking/hiking the easy trails near home while we both recover from inconvenient injuries. I have no doubt that we will be on the mountain tops again, if we take the time to heal properly. Until then, we continue to walk the 1.4 mi. loop trail around a very pictureque lake, 8 miles from home. The fresh, sweet air, gorgeous scenery, bird song and various creatures all refresh my soul and rejuvenate my body. I LOVE where I live!!

2) For 3 years I was very fortunate to be part of a website that promotes Mt. Rainier Nat'l Park and surrounding trails in the Nat'l Forest. I was a hiking correspondent for the north and east side of the mountain, supplying write-ups, photos and GPS routes for some of the trails. The website is http://www.visitrainier.com .......check it out!!

3) The best way to view my most recent uploaded photos is on Page 1, click on the forest photo, "Rainy Day Sunbreak" and go BACK from there. My most recent addition will always have the largest number. If you are interested in purchasing a photo, please contact me thru e-mail. We even cut our own mat to 24x36 inches. My prices are very reasonable.

In 2001, I began creating notecards of Mt. Rainier, forest shots and wild flowers from many photos in this portfolio. I soon added local postcards with historical information about Enumclaw and the other small communities of the "foothills". This year, 2014, I created my 3rd calendar featuring day-hikes near here.

I highly recommend you to experience your own natural surroundings...take the time to stop and smell the roses. In this crazy world there is peace in the simple things, like a walk in the park or a hike in the woods. The earth is amazing, wherever you live...Thank you for letting me share my little corner with you. Where Would You Like To Go Today?????

Happy Trails!! Mary J

4)E-mail - [email protected] Website - mtsphotography.net

NOW Oct. 26, 2017

I wrote my last updated biography in 2014. Much has happened in the last 4 years. My husband and I are always doing something outdoors, although much differently than before. In the past 4 years I have had back surgery, hand surgery once (but broke the same hand again a year later) eye surgery, and come Jan of 2018, I will have DBS Therapy (Deep Brain Stimulation). I feel as thou (I have aged 20 years in the last 4 years, although mentally I'm still ready to be gone for the day on a hike.

I have had to adjust my life in immeasurable ways since being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2008. The 1st 5 years were not so bad. I continued with my photography business. I made some money with large and small prints, notecards, postcards and 4hiking calendars (of which I am very proud) from 2013 to 2016, I was very busy with my work...half of my job was hiking and I did a bit of that too. Then as life always seems to do, things don't always go as planned and the next 3 years proved to be very trying. Soooo....

This is my rebounding year and so far so good! I have become stronger, I'm healthy, I'm at a good weight and enjoying retirement with my husband, family and friends. The Parkinson's has progressed to the point where the meds aren't as effective as they should be and I am going to get "wired", so to speak. Much like a pace maker, this will improve my life in many ways. The procedure has been very successful for many years and I'm under the care of the University of Washington Medical team. I look forward to getting much of my life back on an even keel. I'm enjoying the life I have very much and praying for those less fortunate.

Just a few updates from 2014...

1) Our daughter is still in the mountains of Colorado with her husband and her two boys (under 3 years). Our son and his wife have a boy and a girl (6th and 5th grades), 25 minutes from here. We are very proud of both families All of them are happy and healthy...we are all blessed!

2) visitrainier.com is still the best way to know anything you want to know about Mt Rainier Nat'l Park, especially if you are planning a visit. You can see me in the hiking section, (photos and write-ups, although others have written updated versions of the trails as they change.)

3)Some where since my last post here at AW, the format changed and I saw that my photos were not shown in order by date taken. Couldn't be changed so I apologize for the random order of the photos. I am no longer in business selling my work, but on special request I could print something...no frames or calendars, please. My reason for staying at AW is not to sell, but to be informative about hiking in this breathtaking part of the Pacific NW. Please understand that I can't guarantee when I will be home I've got more adventures planned with family and friends.not to far from home....:-)

Love and prayers to all!!! Happy Trails!!!

Mary J 4) The E-mail is the same, the website is no longer mine.

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