#takeonseattle

Hiking season is upon us and as true [transplanted] Seattleites, we love to hit the trails as often as possible. I’ve already done my traditional first trek of Spring to Wallace Falls and though my mountain legs were a little weak, I noticed right off that I was faring better than many newbie hikers. If you’re planning to enjoy the trails this season but don’t have much experience, here are my top 5 pieces of advice.**

1. For the love of Pete, shell out the bucks and get some decent boots. That’s right. Invest in your footwear. Novice hikers planning a season of short, flat day hikes can probably get away with less but anyone genuinely interested in taking up this activity needs to get serious. REI offers a great selection, professional expert fittings, and a killer return policy. The basics? You want ankle and arch support, the sole shouldn’t be overly flexible, and waterproofing with breathability is a must. The heel shouldn’t lift more than a fraction of an inch with each step, and your toes shouldn’t slam against the front of your boot when you walk downhill. You’ll also want good socks (not cotton) and I swear by silk liners. I know it’s hard to part with hard-earned cash, but I promise your feet will thank you.

2. Prepare for a Snack Attack. Once you hike a few miles on a steady uphill grade you’re going to get hungry. Like, jumping-into-a-stream-to-catch-your-own-fish-like-a-bear hungry. Don’t underestimate the need for high energy snacks. Pack lightweight, though - this isn’t the time for a tub of peanut butter or mason jars of oatmeal (yep, I’ve seen both). Trail mix with nuts and chocolate, homemade protein bars, and dried fruit are some of my favorite items. Want a do-it-yourself recipe sure to please any hiking buddy? Check out some of my favorite snacks courtesy of Backpacker. When you reach your destination and take that first bite, you’ll thank me.

3. Hydration is the name of the game. If you’re hiking under 10 miles, you should be fine with a small day pack that holds a first aid kit, sunscreen, snacks, and most importantly a bladder. Mine is 2 Liters but my husband carries 3 liters even on the shortest of hikes. I have a friend that hikes with a 1 liter bladder. Yep, it’s a Goldilocks situation. Remember, it never hurts to carry extra water but you’ll be hating life if you don’t have enough. Hiking near a river or stream? Try a water bottle filter system. They're super easy to use. I have to say my personal favorite is the Sawyer Squeeze. It’s lightweight, and doesn’t involve any pumps or wait times. 

4. Be realistic, you ain’t climbing Everest today. Plan hikes carefully. If you’re a beginner, you should hike like a beginner. If a friend who backpacks regularly suggests something you aren’t prepared for, just say no. It’s okay. They should know better. Take elevation gain into account. Ease into the season. Start with a simple in & out trail under 6 miles. Feel alright? Next time, try a loop under 8 miles. Good? Add some steeper climbs or greater distances. In my opinion, day hikes should be under 12 miles so that you have time to enjoy the scenery and get up and down before dusk. I suggest buying a book to help you select appropriate hikes. My current favorite is 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Seattle. Another amazing (and free!) source is the Washington Trails Association. WTA has an amazing website full of great information and trail reviews. 

5. Enjoy yourself. It sounds simple, doesn’t it? But really think about it. Why are you hiking? To get fit? Stay fit? Connect with nature? Escape from the daily grind? Spend quality time with your sweetheart or your canine companion? Pretend cell phones were never invented? All good reasons. Just focus on your reason, not someone else’s. I hike to feel a sense of peace and witness something beautiful. My pace is a little slower. I take photos. I stare up at the trees and breathe deeply. I reach the summit and take out my journal. And I love every minute. 

Have you ever experienced snow? Now just wait, before you answer consider what I mean by “snow”. In the south, we get the occasional wintery mix. A little snow, a little ice, a little bit of complete shut-down while folks rush out in droves to the nearest grocery store to stock up on milk, bread, batteries, and enough sugar to keep them in sweet tea until 2024. If the precipitation sticks, it is compact, icy, less than 3 inches, and filled with pine straw. (In all fairness though, that pine straw snow made some pretty adorable snowmen over the years.) Aside from a few, fuzzy childhood memories of snowfall in the midwest, I had no experience with the Real Thing until yesterday when we were treated to a snow the likes of which not even Hollywood could duplicate. And yes, it prompted a true Southern Girl Freak Out for which I am not ashamed. Here are the highlights:

1. If you’re catching snowflakes on your tongue, it helps if they’re the size of silver dollars. Be warned, though: It’s all fun and games until one of those things lands in your eye.

2. Washington folk appreciate a beautiful snowfall, but nothing shuts down. No one rushes to the store. Unless it’s to get new bindings for their skis.

3. Don’t underestimate the importance of a down jacket with a furry hood. I never thought I’d have the occasion to wear it, and literally danced like a kid when I pulled it from the back of my closet. Mmmm. Toasty warm.

4. Hot chocolate really is the only acceptable beverage to enjoy post-snow play.

 5. The absolute best way to enjoy the snow is to walk outside, throw your head back while looking to the sky, and watch it fall around you. It’s surreal.

Get out there, folks! It’s never too late to play in the snow! Unless it has melted. Then it’s too late. 

xo

Hello all!

To begin, let me say thank you so much to the readers of this blog. I love receiving your messages and appreciate all the kind words and interesting ideas that get thrown my way!

Next, let me apologize for the moments in 2015 when I went MIA. Life happens, as they say, and finding time to work on various writing projects (including this blog) has been a real challenge. I sincerely hope to be a more active presence in the blogosphere in the coming year.

2015 was quite a journey, though not the one I expected. I’d wager that many of you feel the same. I’ve been keeping up with the NYE posts from friends and family, and am in awe of what so many of you have accomplished and experienced over the last 12 months. Many of you bought your first homes. Some had beautiful babies. Others celebrated marriage. Marathons were run, new countries were explored, loved ones were lost, new furry family members adopted... It seems the year embodied all the highs and lows life can offer. All I can say is, well done to you all for making the most of your year!

365 days ago, I sat and pondered what I thought the future might bring. I imagined the usual which of course included losing weight, growing out my bangs, and finally organizing my shoe collection. I also hoped to find more time for writing, more time for travel, and more time for meditation. I was foolish as I made these resolutions, oblivious to the single common thread in all of them.

I was wishing for more time.

With more time, what couldn’t we accomplish? We’d be healthier, happier, more productive, more creative, more generous versions of ourselves. But how on earth does one magically procure Time?

The reality of my 2015 was this: I left a laid-back, outdoorsy job for a grueling, all-consuming return to healthcare. I traveled back to the east coast twice to spend time with family and realized with a bit of a broken heart that my little nephews weren’t going to stay little forever. I discovered that Las Vegas is a lot of fun. A lot. Interestingly, I also discovered that I am not a gambler, but luckily my husband is. There was backpacking, hiking, and kayaking, though not as much as I would have liked. My husband and I spent over 36 hours in a darkened movie theater watching every single Star Wars movie ever made and cheered along as we witnessed the awesome premier of The Force Awakens. I started taking writing classes again, which have been incredible. I got my bangs cut again. Sigh. Oh, and most importantly I conquered my alarm clock and now wake with ease every morning before 5:00am. Which is both amazing and terrible.

What didn’t happen in 2015? I didn’t figure out how to make more time. So that’s my goal for 2016. Not to make time, but to hold on to it and not waste a minute. In other words, I plan to be more careful with a precious resource. I truly want to get to the gym more often, get outside and explore the mountains, write for hours, and travel to new places. I think the only way I’m going to do that is to balance my time and plan.

So here’s to 2016. The Year of Time Management. Hmmmph. Sounded better in my head.

Yes, we live in Seattle and some would argue that this city is about as close as mere mortals come to living in paradise. (St. Lucia is another big contender, I hear.... I’ll have to do some research.) Unfortunately, even in paradise we have bad days. Demanding days at work. Sniffles aggravated by the cold and rain. Traffic jams that make you question your sanity - and seriously consider investing in a bus pass. But hallelujah! Heaven comes in a frosty mug.... of root beer.

On a friend’s recommendation I investigated his “happy place”, which he assured me would cure any dismal mood or misery. HE WAS RIGHT!

The Root Beer Store delivered on my friend’s promise and here are five excellent reasons you should check it out.

1. Um, hello. It’s root beer. It’s delicious. Not only is there a mind-boggling selection, but you can have a house-made root beer float while you browse!!

2. There’s a bonafide old-school roller rink next door to the Lynnwood location. Yep, calling all you love birds for backwards skate and couples only! You can have a fun date night circa 1987 by strapping on your skates, then heading to The Root Beer Store for a hot dog and a cold brew.

3. It isn’t just root beer! They have a large cream soda selection and you can take a walk on the wild side by trying something from their “fruity” selections as well.

4. The staff is crazy knowledgeable. They’re helpful and love the product they sell. The guy helping me knew the ingredients of the dozen root beers he hand selected for me off the top of his head. Color me impressed, I felt like I was talking to the soda version of a sommelier. 

5. They sell Zombie Brain Juice. Which is strange, creepy, and totally amazing.

Seattleites acknowledge the existence of two seasons. The Rainy Season and summer. This piece is all about getting ready for the rain, and welcoming it with our arms wide open. Here are some of my suggestions as I embark on my second Rainy Season in Seattle:

1. Stock up on good books. 

Here are some of my recommendations based on what you might be craving: 

Speculative Suspense: California by Edan Lepucki

Uplifting Science Fiction: The Martian by Andy Weir

Fantasy: The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

A Classic Reimagined: Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

Whodunnit Page Turner: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Touching Romance: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Nonfiction: How To Be a Heroine or What I’ve Learned from Reading Too Much by Samantha Ellis

2. Bite the bullet and get yourself some rain gear. 

Not that I’ve ever needed an excuse to go shopping, especially shoe shopping, but something about that initial rain boot purchase seemed daunting. I must have tried on a dozen pair, done endless research and price comparisons, then finally ended up with a rad pair of Chookas that I’m fairly obsessed with. Bonus, my calves are a bit larger than some, (let’s credit all that PNW hiking, shall we?), and Chookas are a comfy fit. Also crucial is your rain coat. Must have a hood. Must be a serious rain coat & not just a “shell” meant to protect other clothing from a quick mist or drizzle. Must be adorable. Umbrellas aren't used very often by true Seattleites. Mostly, folks just throw their hood up and brave the worst of it with a smile and an eye roll. Nope, not a lot of room for vanity here. I however love them, subscribing to the whole any-excuse-to-accessorize philosophy. On the rare occasion that our steady drizzle becomes an honest to goodness downpour, I break out a beautiful umbrella from the Art Institute of Chicago gifted to me by my baby sister. Just remember this one piece of advice about rain gear. You get what you pay for, so pony up for the good stuff.

3. Embrace the romance. 

Rain is romantic. Or at least, it can and should be. If you’re staying in, light a few candles, drink some red wine, and snuggle with your significant other while taking in an old black and white movie. Casablanca, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and Citizen Kane are no-brainers. But as a nod to you know, the weather, consider the 1952 technicolor classic Singin’ in the Rain. Heading out? Relish every delicious second you’re caught in that rain. Stop to kiss your sweetheart. Look up and let the water touch your skin. Take a dreamy photo for Instagram.

4. Plan ahead if you plan to be entertained. 

Seattle has a ton to offer in the way of entertainment during The Rainy Season. Unlike summer, when most self-respecting Seattleites are camping, backpacking, cycling, sailing, or kayaking, the rain tends to drive most folks indoors and as a result there’s a never ending list of great things to see and do. Buy tickets in advance, as everyone is going to have the same idea. Here are some of my favorite rainy day activities:

The Seattle Symphony is a fantastic option for a night on the town and this symphony is truly world class.

Seattle Art Museum is the perfect way to get lost for an afternoon (or two, or three...)

Speaking Tours are the perfect antidote to dismal weather. Get comfortable and spend an evening listening to your favorite writer, your greatest hero, or a culinary genius speak.

Live Music is the greatest way to shake off any blues (don’t pardon the pun) and expend some pent-up energy by dancing.

Wine Tastings are a great way to pass a rainy evening. Just look into safe transportation first. Lots of tours are available, which free you up to sample even more of Washington’s delicious wines!

5. Learn your way around a classic Hot Toddy.

Nothing says let’s get cozy faster or more effectively than a stylishly served warm beverage with just a hint of booze. Spend the next few months teaching yourself the art of mixology by experimenting with classic hot toddies and present them to your family and friends at your next game night or dinner party. They’ll be impressed, you’ll be proud of your new skills, and you’ll all be warmed from the inside out. Here’s a yummy recipe to get you started:

Forgive me for my absence, faithful readers!!

Life, as it has a tendency to do, intervened and stole me away from my computer. 

Take On Seattle is back, so stay tuned for weekly posts! Until then, feel free to send me your suggestions for local spots to check out, restaurants to try, or Seattle activities you’d like me to tackle and write about.

Hello readers! Well, yours truly survived the Seattle Heat Wave of 2015 in one piece. One sweaty, miserable piece. It’s amazing how two weeks of 90+ temperatures can suck your will to... blog. So forgive me, while I backtrack and fill you in on PRIDE in Seattle! A good friend of mine and I went downtown to celebrate the festivities, and it was, in short, a love and music filled extravaganza. Coming on the heels of the Supreme Court ruling to legalize same sex marriage all over our beautiful country, the mood at the annual parade was celebratory and buoyant. We had the unique pleasure of front row seating for the always hilarious Mama Tits, cheered uproariously for those naked cyclists who convinced me once and for all that body painting really is an art, and went home with tons of cool schwag (I mean, I got a sweet new luggage tag, for pete’s sake). While I know that many people have conflicting opinions regarding this ruling, may I just throw my two cents in by saying... HELL YES. I am so incredibly overjoyed that in the end, love does in fact win. Because I honestly believe that it all boils down to love. For so many, the struggle is long from over and there are many challenges that await. But for now, let’s all take a deep breath, say a quick word of thanks to everyone who fought the good fight, and accept this widely acknowledged truth: Nothing says “pride” like a bare bottom. Covered in body paint. On a bicycle. 

Enjoy some of my pics from the parade!!