About now you may feel the need for respite, a welcome distraction from the 24/7 embedded coverage of war. To unwind, try a tour through a forest of rose trees (in Latin, that's "rhododendron").
There are noteworthy rhodie gardens across Western Washington, but perhaps the easiest reached from Seattle is the Rhododendron Species Foundation and Botanical Garden in Federal Way.
By Connie McDougall | April 10, 2003
Location: North Bend.
Length: Three miles round trip.
Level of difficulty: Level to steep.
Setting: This popular trail up Rattlesnake Mountain, the easternmost peak of the Issaquah Alps, is a definite hike, rather than a walk, so don't drag along your cousin from Jersey unless he's in good shape. The trail climbs 1,174 feet from the lake to reach the ledge at 2,079 feet, where you can see a 270-degree view of the Cascades and surrounding valleys, including the nearby town of North Bend.
By Cathy McDonald | April 10, 2003
Short Trips
HOOD RIVER, Ore. -- Joe Lafferty, bartender at the Full Sail Brewery tasting room, called the brewery's home the "adrenaline capital of the Northwest." After several days in this town, I think I agree with him -- at least partly.
The adrenaline reference certainly is fair because of the town's windsurfing reputation. But Hood River -- one of the jewels of the extraordinary Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area -- also is a town with a strong character and history.
By Jeff Larsen | April 10, 2003
Hike of the Week
The bloom is just beginning at lower elevations in the mountains, but you don't need to go far to enjoy flowers. The Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle has so many plants blossoming it will make you dizzy.
The 230-acre park, created in 1934 and jointly managed by the University of Washington and the City of Seattle with support from the Arboretum Foundation, is a great place right now for a stroll.
By Karen Sykes | April 10, 2003
Gearing Up
Wouldn't it be nice if once in a while you could gather around a campfire with a bunch of knowledgeable, if not know-it-all, fellow hikers and talk shop? You could swap tips on blister taping and fire starting and bear bagging. You could trade one-pot recipes. You could debate the best methods for treating water or the ideal components of a repair kit. The list goes on and on.
By Kristin Hostetter | April 10, 2003
