ILWACO, Pacific County Just as Capt. William Clark did two centuries ago, Carolyn Glenn climbed the steep pitch of spruce, ignoring coarse sea grass slashing at her ankles. Just like Capt. Clark, she noted the swarms of mosquitoes.
And just like Capt. Clark, she paused in awe as the trees parted like a curtain at the top of McKenzie Head in Washington's recently renamed Cape Disappointment State Park (formerly Fort Canby). Then, as now, the Pacific was suddenly so broad and rough and blue it seemed to peel back corners of peripheral vision.
By Jonathan Martin | July 15, 2004
Short Trips
TWISP -- Little did I know when I walked into a co-op store called Made in the Methow a couple of weeks ago that I would discover what I would rate as the best salsa in the land.
Ann Wagstaff was in the store's community kitchen, stirring the marvelous ingredients to one of her popular salsa preparations that she sells at the store under her Texas Creek label. When I asked, Ann assured me there is an actual creek by that name near town.
By Jeff Larsen | July 15, 2004
Birders' Top Spots
Location: Everett.
Habitat: Municipal marine/estuarine park with island half-mile wide by 2 miles long.
Best season for birding: Summer.
Birds likely to be seen: Jetty Island hosts 45 species, highlighted by nesting pairs of Caspian tern and glaucous-winged gull. Others include pigeon guillemot, greater and lesser yellowlegs, black bellied and semipalmated plover, short billed dowitcher, killdeer; and spotted, western and least sandpiper.
July 15, 2004
In the Northwest, Mount Rainier is nearly an equal partner with the sun and the moon. Sometimes the foothills seem to disappear and the mountain truly appears to float in the sky.
Yet despite its celestial appearance, the rock-and-ice reality of the mountain is relatively close by.
The Carbon River region, in the park's northwest corner, is only a two-hour drive from Seattle, making exploring the flanks of the volcano relatively easy.
By Andrew Engelson | July 15, 2004
Hike of the Week
The Shriner Peak Trail is the poster child for all-purpose trails. This path not only leads to the oldest remaining lookout in Mount Rainier National Park but also offers great views, floral displays and a good workout.
Need another reason to go? If you are on a budget, this trail is accessible without paying a park entrance fee.
By Karen Sykes | July 15, 2004
Take a Walk
Location: Renton.
Length: Four miles round trip from community center.
Level of difficulty: Flat-to-gently sloping, accessible paved path, with many entrances down to the river trail from local streets.
By Cathy McDonald and Greg Johnston | July 15, 2004
People can't order sandwiches at the Lunch Counter on Mount Adams. Passing through the Pearly Gates on Mount Hood doesn't mean you're dead. And most visitors don't turn around at Quitter's Point on Oregon's Mount Jefferson. Climbers, known as an irreverent bunch, commonly nickname areas along routes to peaks. It's all part of the mountain-climbing culture a culture that is creeping more and more into the mainstream.
By Beth Casper | July 15, 2004
Gas prices keeping you close to home this vacation season? Through Labor Day, Northwest Weekend is offering weekly ideas for close-to-Seattle getaways you can get to and back on 10 gallons or less of gas. And just to make it more "real world," our tips are fine-tuned to whether you own a big SUV or a gas-sipping hybrid electric.
July 15, 2004
