Living at least six months of the year in Albany, CA we are accustomed to neighbors and residents from many nations, cultures, and races: U.C Berkeley’s international students and their families fill a large “village” two blocks away. Segregation in Albany would be impossible due to the unique diversity and mutual respect of the residents….and because Continue Reading »
When you think of Seattle, what images immediately pop into your mind? Many of us think of their sports teams, the Mariners and Sea Hawk. Perhaps you envision the iconic Space Needle, images of Jimmy Hendrix and the Experience Music Project, or the white, multi-decked ferries crossing Puget Sound with Mt. Ranier towering above?….and rain, Continue Reading »
Note the LEGAL recreational marijuana in the mural. It wafts through the streets of the City here and there, and not just in the Hipster enclave, Belltown, where we stayed to keep cool…Hah! 90 degrees every day. This is the second summer of record setting heat in Seattle. We stayed cool with water play with Continue Reading »
Although only 7,962 ft. at the summit, Mount Olympus rises steeply from the Pacific Ocean only 12 miles away to the West creating the wettest place in the 48 contiguous states. The Hoh rain forest is so wet with 12 feet of rain a year, and with so little daily sun, every surface is draped Continue Reading »
She’s a beast of a mountain. She is demanding and wild; she doesn’t need whips and handcuffs because she looms so large with an enormous white glaciated cap. At 14,409 ft., the highest peak in the state, you can’t take your eyes off her. She demands your attention from everywhere in the State of Washington. Continue Reading »
Starting any trip from Bellingham is a delight. A mix of well preserved victorian buildings and and modern, arty builds, strung along a busy waterfront, makes this a tourist destination in itself. Add a nice food scene, the lovely Western Washington College with 30 outdoor sculptures, and nearby Chuckernut Drive and Larabie State Park for Continue Reading »
We think of ourselves as somewhat fit because we bike, run, swim, and play tennis on a regular basis. Ha! We became so aware of the extra pounds we’re carrying around when we had to haul it 6.8 miles up a steep climb to get to Easton glacier on the Southern Flank of Mount Baker, Continue Reading »
Well, the rail trail conversion anyway, on our bikes. With an enormous and historic logging industry in Oregon and Washington, came trains to move the timber. Enormously heavy, the rails could not exceed a 4% grade, perfect for cyclists. As timber and industry rails fell out of use all over the country, “Rail/Trail Conservancy” groups, Continue Reading »
Puget Sound is a huge tidal basin with 450 islands at low tide, sheltered by Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and Canada’s Vancouver Island. The Washington State Ferry that serves the islands, including a stop in Canada, is the largest ferry system in the world. It is extremely efficient and completely free for pedestrians and bicyclists traveling Continue Reading »
Heading out for our Summer Road Trip started with a sputter. The local mechanic who kept our vehicle, promising repairs in the three days before our departure date…finally, on the day of departure admitted that he had done nothing and would do nothing as he was too booked with work. He also had our rig Continue Reading »