When Jennifer Hahn set out to kayak from Ketchikan to her hometown, Bellingham, in 1992, the Alaska ferry captain dropping her off was surprised.
"Don't you know," he asked, "the dominant winds in Alaska blow out of the south?"
Embarrassed, Hahn felt "too foolish to admit this grave oversight," so she confessed wishing only "to paddle toward home." And in the course of two springs, two summers and more than 700 miles, her solo voyage was indeed a homecoming, both literal and spiritual.
By Irene Wanner | September 27, 2001
Take a Walk
Location: Northeast of Olympia.
Length: One-mile trail.
Level of difficulty: Accessible, flat boardwalk loop trail behind visitors center.
By Cathy McDonald | September 27, 2001
True lovers of backpacking enjoy each and every step along the trail. Even when our backs are aching from the load, the sweat is pouring down our faces and the trail is knee-deep with mud, we love it. But let's be honest: The best part of the whole experience is lounging about a gorgeous campsite. That's where we spin stories, play games, show off our culinary flair, watch the sunset and take off those smelly boots to soak our feet in a cool stream. And after a long, hard day, a well-chosen campsite is nothing short of bliss.
By Kristin Hostetter | September 27, 2001
PORTLAND Take the train from the plane.
That's the nifty, new option for visitors to the Rose City light-rail transportation between Portland International Airport and downtown Portland, which next week begins its annual off-season hotel-discount program.
Travel time: 38 minutes. Frequency: every 15 minutes in each direction, daily from 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Fare: $1.55 each way.
It is the first such airport connection on the West Coast. Travel is aboard the electric trains of the Portland area's MAX system.
By Stanton H. Patty | September 27, 2001
In the Pacific Northwest, water is like a prophet at home, taken for granted and not well understood. As of Oct. 6, with the opening of the Cedar River Watershed Education Center, you can learn all about the power and utility of water.
You may even come to revere it, as did Northwest tribes that once camped near where the center now stands, near North Bend about 30 miles east of Seattle in the Cascade foothills.
By Connie McDougall | September 27, 2001
BENTON CITY, Benton County Father and son sit shoulder-to-shoulder, sharing a glass of cabernet sauvignon as they gaze out over vineyards created from sagebrush desert.
"Well, guess I better go put my tools away," says the father, John Williams.
He turns in his seat as if to go but instead, leans back and rests against his son.
"Guess you should go do that," replies Scott Williams.
The sun slips a little farther behind the Horse Heaven Hills. The wind carries a hint of cool.
"Yeah, guess I oughta," says John.
He doesn't move.
By Sara Jean Green | September 27, 2001
Colorful fall foliage among the evergreens makes this a great season to visit Northwest Trek wildlife park. The resident bison, moose, deer, caribou, mountain goats and other North American wildlife are getting their winter coats and the bull elk are especially frisky, but it's not you they're trying to impress with their bugling; it's mating season.
By Madeline McKenzie | September 27, 2001
1. Terra Blanca Vintners, 34715 N. DeMoss Road, Benton City, 509-588-6082, www.terrablanca.com. Tasting-room fall hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; free tasting, picnic area, gift shop.
2. Oakwood Cellars, 40504 N. DeMoss Road, Benton City, 509-588-5332. Tasting-room fall hours: noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; free tasting, picnic area, gift shop.
September 27, 2001
BENTON CITY "Red Mountain was just dry desert. There was nothin' over there but jack rabbits and coyotes," says Virginia McKenna, drawing the last word out into two long syllables: "KY-yoats."
She stands at the stove, frying ham and scrambling eggs spiced with lemon pepper, dried onion and parsley. She decorates gold-rimmed plates with plump red and yellow raspberries picked from her garden, cuts the toast and carries a tray laden with jams and juice out to the sun porch.
By Sara Jean Green | September 27, 2001
