08/29 - Klahane Ridge - Part 2

08/28 - Klahane Ridge - Part 1

As it turned out the air started getting a little better as we climbed out of the closed area near the Switchback trailhead. Still, we could see the smoke highlighting the mountain panorama. As we climbed we had a broader vista, but the smoke was a major feature that we could see and smell. We made it to the ridge and headed on to the “kick in the ass” as one hiker we met put it. This is the stretch of the trail to Lake Angeles that climbs and passes through some of the most beautiful alpine gardens.

There were mountain goats about, even a few on the trail. We shouted at them and waved our hiking sticks and that seemed to send them scurrying. We also saw a few marmots as we wandered.

08/27 - Seattle - Part 3

For dinner, we had heard good things about Copine. We gave the place in Ballard a try and were really impressed. The space was cool and quiet, and the food was exquisite. We started with a sort of deep fried shrimp toast wrapped around ahi tuna, made our way through the first fresh heart of palm we have had since the 1980s, enjoyed the hearty and perfectly cooked wild mushroom risotto. The service was friendly and elegant. Everything was delicious. The black cod had a crisp skin and tender meat. It was served in a bonito broth with radishes and celery, a perfect match. The rack of lamb was out of this world, but the real treat was the chef’s felafel that worked perfectly with it. Now that Rover’s is gone, we have been looking for a successor. In terms of food, space and service, Copine may be just what we are looking for.

08/26 - Seattle - Part 2

We headed out from near the MOHAI past moorings and working docks with views of construction, cancer research centers and Gas Works Park. We admired the houseboats which are hard to see from land and passed under familiar bridges in a new direction. We knew the little waterfront park in Fremont, but from the water one could see the cut of the ship canal. We passed dry docks and terminals and were soon at the Ballard Locks where we dropped twenty or thirty feet from fresh water to salt water.

Then we headed out into the harbor passing by Discovery Park and the West Point Lighthouse. We could just make out the faint outline of Mount Rainier over the lighthouse as we passed. We rounded the point, and ahead were the harbor and downtown.

08/25 - Seattle - Part 1

Then we took a walk from the Alki Point Lighthouse in West Seattle. We headed east along the embankment and beach with excellent views of downtown Seattle and the port. Unlike Los Angeles with Venice and Santa Monica or New York with Rockaway, one doesn’t think of Seattle as a beach town, but West Seattle is a beach town with easy public access to the salt water of the Puget Sound, beach oriented restaurants and other businesses and the laid back ambience associated with leisure and salt water. We made our way to the Water Taxi pier which was also the home of Marination Ma Kai where we really enjoyed the tacos. The spicy pork and kalua pork tacos were also good, but the fish tacos were our favorite. The tacos were served with their surprisingly good cole slaw and lightly pickled jalapenos. We had to admire their touch with the pickling process.

08/18 - Storm King

To be honest, we only made it up to the ledge where we had a great view of Pyramid Peak and points north. Serious climbers go up another 300 feet or so to the actual peak, but we were at our limit. This trail is always challenging. Unlike the Switchback Trail up to Klahane Ridge, the Storm King trail never lets up. It is steep and demanding all the way. There are no easy switchbacks. Worse, it has been dry this year, so the trail was sand and pebbles, terrible footing.

Next time, it’s Klahane Ridge, for sure.

08/13 - Rialto Beach

We didn’t go all that far, just up to the first headland. The tide was nice and low, so we could explore the tidepools. We barely noticed Ellen Creek. It flows beneath the sands, so we had to check inland to make sure it was still there. To the north, the sea stacks and tide pools beckoned. We found anemones, but no starfish. We have been following their slow recovery, so this was a little disappointing.

Given that we are having what passes for a heat wave in these parts, it was a relief getting out and enjoying the coolness at the beach. Even the parking lot seemed warm in contrast.

08/09 - Dungeness Spit and a New Camera

If you are thinking of heading out, check the tide tables. You’ll want a real low tide, three feet or less, during daylight hours. The ten mile round trip walk takes almost four hours, so plan accordingly. Sunglasses are a good idea too.

We have a new camera, one of those ultrazoom ones. There weren’t any seals or even many birds on the water, but we did take a couple of surprisingly good photos. An ultrazoom camera is basically a telescope without a tripod, so we’re impressed with the automatic image stabilization, though the camera doesn’t do much about the haze.