Seattle Style File
When I went in search of holiday dresses this week, I discovered an amazing number of styles as well as a huge range in prices — often in the same shop. There are the usual suspects such as BCBG at Pacific Place which carries a mother lode of seductive dresses, or Guess?, Paris Hilton's favorite.
By Kathy Schultz | November 18, 2004
A popular saying goes, "If you can hike, you can snowshoe." Some local parks or resorts offer groomed trails and guidance. Ranger Lee Taylor leads snowshoe walks during the winter up at Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park.
"It's a fun, easy, quick way to get out into the winter landscape," she said. "For most people on the tours, it's their first time snowshoeing."
By Cathy McDonald | November 18, 2004
Short Trips
ASTORIA, Ore. -- Up until two years ago, I thought Astoria was just a small town on the Columbia River that you had to negotiate after crossing from Washington to reach the really fun places farther south on the Oregon coast, like Seaside or Cannon Beach.
However during a short stay in 2002, I sensed a certain spark and charm -- not too commercial, not too touristy -- that made me feel comfortable.
By Jeff Larsen | November 18, 2004
VANCOUVER, B.C. — Think of it as three Snoqualmies, all just a half-hour from downtown.
That's the winter playland enjoyed by Vancouver, B.C., thanks to three ski resorts in the city's back yard.
Seymour, Grouse and Cypress are the close-to-town ski resorts on the North Shore mountains that rise steeply on Vancouver's north edge. Don't expect miles-long runs at any of them; for that, keep going north to the mega resort of Whistler-Blackcomb. But you can play in the snow for a few hours, then play in Vancouver for the rest of the day or night.
By Kristin Jackson | November 18, 2004
Maybe Marvin Wayne hasn't seen it all in 30 years as medical director at Mount Baker Ski Area, but he's seen enough to know that too often urban-dwelling fun-seekers are quickly overmatched by winter conditions in the mountains.
"I see a lack of understanding in people in four important areas when they head outside for recreation," says Wayne, 60, who also serves as medical director of Emergency Medical Services for Bellingham and Whatcom County and as an emergency physician at Bellingham's St. Joseph Hospital.
By Terry Wood | November 18, 2004
You won't have to worry about the other guy while fly-fishing spots along the approximately 2,000 miles of shoreline on Washington's inland marine waters. You won't find drift hogs elbowing in and casting in front of you. No boats will be spooking the fish by floating over the water you're whipping.
More than likely you'll be alone, knee-deep in the gray brine along a cobble beach, waves lapping the shore, seagulls squawking, the sea breeze blowing a salty scent.
By Greg Johnston | November 18, 2004
Pacific Northwest skiers and snowboarders will find many upgrades and facelifts at downhill resorts this winter.
Whistler-Blackcomb in British Columbia has raised the bar with $14.2 million in upgrades. When the mega-resort opens for winter activities Blackcomb on Saturday and Whistler on Thanksgiving Day, weather permitting visitors will find 1,100 acres of new terrain to carve up, a fully revamped Creekside base, a new 700-foot magic-carpet beginner lift, and a superpipe on Blackcomb that will be lighted at night.
By Mark Yuasa | November 18, 2004
Anyone who's ever sung "Jingle Bells" may have imagined what it would be like to whiz through a snow-globe landscape warmed by scratchy wool blankets, with snowflakes collecting on eyelashes.
By Kathryn True | November 18, 2004
