CHINOOK PASS On a crisp, cloudless autumn day with ripe blue huckleberries at your feet and twin volcanoes at your sides, the only sound you hear is the door creaking shut:
Shutting on warm weather and clear skies. On days outdoors sans parka and gloves. On that warmly familiar burn in your thighs as you hoof it up just one more ridge in the Cascades before your body gives out or the sun goes down, whichever comes last.
By Ron C. Judd | October 11, 2001
"Oh!"
It was the gasp of the connoisseur confronted with perfection.
"The tupelos," said Sarah Skamser, horticulture instructor at South Seattle Community College. "They're just starting to turn!"
In no time, "they'll be a shocking red," Skamser added as she drove her small Nissan through the Washington Park Arboretum, accompanied by a reporter, fellow college instructor Van Bobbitt and a king-size black dog, Max, who panted heavily and looked out the window, too.
By Nancy Bartley | October 11, 2001
· Norwegian and red maples early color
· Liquid amber mid-October
· Black walnut early color
· Larch late color
· Dogwood midseason
· Golden rain tree early to midseason
· Sumac late in season
· Kwansan cherry midseason
· Flame ash midseason
University of Washington
· Wide variety of deciduous trees turning throughout the season; pick up a tree guide at campus kiosk.
Seattle Pacific University
October 11, 2001
Gore-Tex rainwear stands as the rainwear of choice for most backpackers. Yet, not everyone needs ultralight, highly breathable rainwear. Some folks like to enjoy simple walks in the woods while wearing classic-looking clothing.
By Dan A. Nelson | October 11, 2001
In the decade ending in 1890, Seattle exploded from a sleepy frontier settlement of 3,500 souls to a city of more than 40,000. Sailors, loggers and miners rubbed shoulders with bankers, businessmen and speculators. And citizens of the new state were sizing up its frontiers. Newspapers were filled with accounts of Henry Stanley's exploits in interior Africa. But just across Puget Sound, the rugged, snowcapped Olympic Mountains still awaited exploration.
By Tim McNulty | October 11, 2001
BELLINGHAM -- In sea kayaking, controlling your exposure to hazards is more important than your ability to handle hazards, experts say. But weather has a will of its own, winds can blow up quickly, waves break where they want and one day you might find yourself paddling into a 20-knot southeasterly despite all precautions.
And loving it, even while feeling a little fearful.
By Greg Johnston | October 11, 2001
The PCT is accessed from several mountain passes, including Chinook, Rainy, Stevens and Snoqualmie. You can plan a five-day backpack or a five-hour hike, depending on the season, conditions and interest.
Some sections of the PCT are more scenic than others, yet every stretch has something to offer.
Some sections lack the high drama of more popular portions such as the segment from Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass. Lesser-known segments may seldom see hikers except those doing the trail in its entirety.
By Karen Sykes | October 11, 2001
Autumn's colors of yellow, orange and red enliven nature's greenery among the hills, streams, waterfalls and ponds this month at Seattle's Kubota Garden Park, making it a prime destination for a half-day outing.
By Madeline McKenzie | October 11, 2001
