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
Take a Walk
Location: Newhalem, Whatcom County.
Length: About a half-mile loop.
Level of difficulty: Flat-to-moderate dirt and gravel path.
By Cathy McDonald | November 6, 2003
Habitat: Riparian and wetland sloughs along Icicle Creek, meadows with ponderosa pines, soaring hillsides blackened in 1994 forest fire.
Birding season: Spring through fall.
May 1, 2003
BELLINGHAM Put your ear to the ground on the railroad tracks down by Boulevard Park, and you can hear it.
No, not the 5:30 Amtrak Cascades from Seattle.
The 'hamster spring stampede.
By Ron C. Judd | April 11, 2002
I remember an archaeology professor in college remarking that over time, roads tend to remain in the same place. He was talking about the Athenian Agora in the 5th century B.C., but I was struck by exactly this idea looking at maps of the Oregon Trail: Routes used by approximately 300,000 pioneers and 75,000 wagons between 1841-60 often closely parallel modern highways and interstates.
By Irene Wanner | December 20, 2001
"Oh!"
It was the gasp of the connoisseur confronted with perfection.
"The tupelos," said Sarah Skamser, horticulture instructor at South Seattle Community College. "They're just starting to turn!"
In no time, "they'll be a shocking red," Skamser added as she drove her small Nissan through the Washington Park Arboretum, accompanied by a reporter, fellow college instructor Van Bobbitt and a king-size black dog, Max, who panted heavily and looked out the window, too.
By Nancy Bartley | October 11, 2001
· Norwegian and red maples early color
· Liquid amber mid-October
· Black walnut early color
· Larch late color
· Dogwood midseason
· Golden rain tree early to midseason
· Sumac late in season
· Kwansan cherry midseason
· Flame ash midseason
University of Washington
· Wide variety of deciduous trees turning throughout the season; pick up a tree guide at campus kiosk.
Seattle Pacific University
October 11, 2001
There are Golden guides for everything from bats, birds and butterflies to weeds, whales and wildflowers. At about 4½ x 8 inches, all are compact, comprehensive and convenient to carry outdoors. I bought a Golden Field Guide to birds in 1972 for $3.95, and its pages are only now beginning to fall out, requiring the rubber-band remedy.
By Irene Wanner | June 28, 2001
