Seattle, Washington

MEM-SEA
Seattle, Washington
Jan 19-23, 2008

• We arrived in Seattle and waited for Carrie and Adam to pick us up at the airport - they were already in Seattle. We checked into the hotel, downtown.
• Had a few beers and then met up with Krista and Larry at a bar a few blocks from the hotel. Nice place, although Larry mentioned that we stuck out because we were overdressed for Seattle.
  
• Larry was talking up a bar with a bunch of pinball machines (Shorty's), so we walked till we found it, in Belltown. Played a ton of pinball...no clear cut champion, though. Unless you count the beer as a player. Then, the beer won. Made it back to the hotel without incident.
• Brad and I went to Pike Place Market and ate fresh donuts, looked at the water and then we were done with that. It was cold and rainy. Bought a magnet.
• That day Carrie and Adam went hiking with Krista and Larry, so Brad and I went to Everett, WA - the home of the Boeing Company. We went through the Future of Flight Aviation Center and the factory ($15), which is home to the 747, 767, 777 and the new 787 Dreamliner. Secrecy and security is the name of the game at Boeing - no phones, cameras, electronics of any kind, purses, or babies. The factory was really cool - covers 98 acres, and is the largest building by volume in the world. About 110,000 people visit annually.
• Celeste hung out with us that evening - we went to Hale's Ales and a few other places near Fremont.
  
• The next morning (Sunday) Krista, Larry, Celeste, Carrie, Adam, Brad, and of course Charlie went to brunch at Salty's. We ate a lot of excellent food and then Brad and I went to Celeste's 'temporary' home on the lake and hung out on the beach for a while (even though it was COLD!!).
• The weekend was way too short - seemed like we were only there for a day, but we had a great time. The next day we headed back to Memphis.
  

2006 - Sat Aug 5

MEM-SEA

July 29-August 6

Washington, Oregon

• Left and drove along the north side of Olympic NP via 101 to get to the ferries. We had lunch and then took a ferry to Seattle. Got to Krista and Larry's and then showered (!).
  
• Celeste came over and we all had a few beers, then went out with Angie. We met up with Brian at his work, had a few more.
• The next day, (Sun, Aug 6) we refueled and went to the airport.
  
• Final mileage: 1100

2006 - Friday, Aug 4

MEM-SEA

July 29-August 6

Washington, Oregon

• We left around 9:30 to look for a canoe outfitter. Headed to Forks, WA (after Brad backed the car into a trash can), which seemed to be the only town around within 100 miles or so of Olympic. We ended up finding a place, but they only did kayaks and expensive raft trips - the water was too low for canoes.
• We headed to the Hoh Rain Forest and went on 2 short hikes. Very pretty - lots of MASSIVE trees and lots of ferns/moss everywhere. (Just for the sake of mentioning it, there is a section in our notes that states "paid $15 to go 4 miles - government nazis!" yet I do not think that either of us will ever remember quite what that means).
• Went to Ruby Beach at low tide hoping to see some star fish...but ended up seeing only sea anemones. The beach was very pretty, with huge rock outcrops, fog, and lots of logs on the shore.
• Went back to the campsite (and had some ice cream on the way), which was fuller (meaning, more kids), but it was still pretty peaceful.
• Beer of the Day was the remainder of the week's stash. We were feeling the pressure to drink the rest of it before heading back.
• Dinner: BBQ chicken and corn on the cob.
• Mileage 919
  

2006 - Thur Aug 3

MEM-SEA

July 29-August 6

Washington, Oregon

• Departed camp at 9:30 am and drove north along the coast on Highway 101. The drive was very scenic - 101 runs up the coastline. We passed through several small towns and over the 4 mile long Astoria Bridge.
• Arriving in Olympic National Park, we stopped at Kalaloch Campground on the coast, but it was packed with RVs and children (the 2 things we try to avoid at any cost). We drove a bit farther northeast to Hoh Oxbo and got a great FREE site (#1). It was very private, right on the river. There was an area at the end of the campground with access to the river, where there were small falls, currents and pools - the water was a very blue-green color. We met a nice lady from Seattle who told us about a kayak/canoe outfitter that we decided to check out the next day.
• Some German bike riders (who we named Klaus and his brothers) came to our campsite with a small metal bowl, asking to borrow some coals to start a fire. They did not speak English well at all. Nick ended up going to help them build a fire. Turns out they were bicycling from Vancouver to southern California. Meanwhile, we are sitting in a campsite worrying about what kind of beer is next. Priorities.
• Beer of the Day: Drop Top Amber (Portland), Kena Fir Rock Pale Ale (Hawaii), and a wide assortment of leftovers. Dinner was chicken brats and potatoes.
• Mileage 825 total/239 today, temperature 63-75º

2006 - Wed, Aug 2

MEM-SEA

July 29-August 6

Washington, Oregon

• Left the hotel in Portland around 10 am via I-26W and drove to Tillamook. There, we toured the Tillamook Dairy - cheese being made right in front of our eyes! We saw lots of large patrons in line for free cheese samples. We decided on a bag of cheese curds. So tasty.
• Stopped at Fred Meyer for supplies ($51).
• Ate lunch at the Sea Shack in Wheeler, OR. Nick had grilled Tillamook provolone cheese and Brad had grilled halibut sandwich. Waitress told us about nearby camping. So we drove to Mohler Road and then took a dirt road to Cook Creek. Very private campsite on the creek. Mountain views and no one around for miles - perfect. We heard only 2 cars drive down the dirt road in 5 hours. Free camping. We picked a ton of blackberries - there were LOTS of bushes around. We built 2 dams on the creek (which we later learn is an illegal act).
• Dinner was wild salmon, veggie burgers, zucchini and onions. Beer of the Day: Fire Station #5, Brush Fire Summer Ale, Henry Weinhard's Hefeweizen
• Mileage 586 total/121 today
• Temperature today 75º

2006 - Tues, Aug 1

MEM-SEA
July 29-August 5
Washington, Oregon

• Left camp and went to Eagle Creek area to hike. Hiked about 2 miles in and saw 3 waterfalls (Metlako, Lower/Upper Punch Bowl). Trail was pretty treacherous , with a 100-foot fall directly to the side of the trail, and no rails/ropes - but we're men.
• Ate breakfast at a restaurant that had Indian artifacts everywhere. Brad had marionberry pancakes (recipe). Went to Bonneville Dam and fish hatchery where we saw a 450 pound sturgeon! Very cool - a must-see.

• Drove to Portland and checked into the Days Inn downtown. Had a beer at the Marketplace Pub and then took the streetcar to the Pearl District. PD is an eclectic neighborhood in the city that prides itself on trying to hard, it appears to us. Cool area though. Had a beer at a restaurant called Paragon, then walked around and checked out some shops.
• Hit up the Bridgeport Brewery and had beers/pizza along with bad service (see, we don't forget these things). Went to Rogue Brewery and had (lots of) beers. Took the streetcar back downtown and had a beer at Marketplace
• Temperature today was about 75º.
• Mileage 465 total/63 today.

2006 - Mon, July 31

MEM-SEA
July 29-August 5
Washington, Oregon

• We departed our campsite around 9 AM. Drove to Ape Cave (links to Wikipedia - interesting article), which was part of a massive lava field in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. There was no one around, which is pretty rare for such a seemingly touristy place. We decided to explore a bit, threw on some layers to keep warm, hiking shoes, and grabbed the lantern. It's wilderness, people...there are no lights. You enter down a passageway which is about in the center of this giant 'worm' underground. You can go to the left, travel .75 miles and come back, or go to the right, about .5 miles to another exit. We're men. We went the long way. It was an experience, just being in a place where you couldn't see a thing, it was so dark. Brad was not a fan of turning off the lantern and taking it all in with the remaining senses. We got to the end of the tube, and the ceiling of the cave got lower and lower and lower until it was only about 6-8 inches. Brad stayed behind while Nick did the belly-battle-crawl as far as he could...and had to back out the same way after about 40-50 feet. Scary. Claustrophobic.
• Went to the Lahar Lookout to view Mount St. Helen's but it was pretty cloudy around the top. There was a better view when we were a few more miles away. Spent a few hours exploring the area, checking out rock flows, different views of the volcano, etc.
• Drove south to Stevenson, WA on the Columbia River, where we had lunch at the River Cafe. Nick had egg salad and Brad had fish & chips. Good food, we agreed.
• Crossed the Bridge of the Gods (Col. River) and went to Multnomah Falls, which is the 2nd highest year-round falls in the US. An old lady recommended Eagle Creek to camp, but there were only a few sites and all overlooked the interstate (84). Rode east to Wyeth Campground - more secluded. Campsite #10 ($10). Went for ~3 mile hike on trail 411, which was pretty steep, but had excellent views of the Columbia River Gorge and huge rock cliffs.
• Much warmer today - (78-82º)
• Beer of the day is Full Sail American IPA and Twilight Amber
• Dinner - BBQ chicken (seeing a theme here?), coal-cooked potatoes and beans.
• Mileage 402 total/123 today.

2006 - Sun July 30

MEM-SEA
July 29-August 5
Washington, Oregon

• Brad was up early - around 7 AM and went into Fremont for coffee and scones. Krista gave us maps and some chairs and a cooler to use. We left Seattle around 11 AM heading south on I-5
• Lunch was some expensive Mexican food where Brad claimed to have the best chimichanga in years.
  
• Took Hwy 504 toward Mt St. Helen's, but decided to go farther south to Hwy 503, which was the southern route. Stopped at a Fred Meyer and got supplies ($87). Got to Cougar, and found camping area. Most on-water sites were taken but found one on the side that was quiet (#34). Camping was $15.
• Dinner was BBQ chicken and corn on the cob. Beer of the Day: Scuttlebutt (Everett, WA); Moose Drool dark ale; Fire Station #5 (Portland).
• Mileage: 279 total/202 today
• Dark at 9:30
  

2006 - Sat July 29

MEM-SEA
July 29-August 5
Washington, Oregon

• Flight from Memphis to Seattle. Arriving in Seattle, we learn Nick's bag ended up in Minneapolis instead. Airline promises to deliver the bag to Krista and Larry's house, where we will be staying that night.
  

• We picked up the rental car (a pimpin silver Hyundai Sonata) and drove to Angie and David's in Covington. We ended up driving into the city and had lunch and beers (Mac & Jack) in Fremont Brian, Brad, Angie, David
  
• After lunch we made our way to Krista and Larry's, had a beer, then went to Hale's for a few. That evening we went to Capital Hill and played pool and had drinks. After getting back to K & L's place that night, the bag was delivered. We were drunk and tired, and ended up in bed by about 1:30.

with Brian, Angie, and David.

• Mileage 77

2005 - Sat July 9

LIT-BOI
July 3-10
Idaho, Washington, Montana

• Got up around 9 am. Packed up the stuff and went to breakfast at Two Sisters, downtown Missoula.
• It's colder - about 65 degrees. Left Missoula around 11:30 am and headed south via I93 to Boise. Arrive around 6:30 pm and check into hotel. Flight is tomorrow, July 10 - back to Little Rock.
  
• Final refuel - $30
• Final mileage for 2005 trip 1,445
  

2005 - Fri July 8

LIT-BOI
July 3-10
Idaho, Washington, Montana

• Ate breakfast at a downtown Missoula cafe/bakery called Bernice's. It's surprisingly hot (~90 degrees) for being in Montana.
  
• Went to the Smokejumper's Museum and took a tour around 11 AM. Check out the link to the museum - it's a pretty interesting place. This is where firefighters are trained/stationed for fighting forest fires that are pretty inaccessible. So they jump from aircraft into them. And you thought your job was tough.
• The real fun begins. Big Sky Brewery - took a tour, had some beer samples. Tasty. Their Moose Drool Ale is one of our favorites to this day.
• Bayern Brewery. Had samples and a pint. Very distinct background flavor in all of their varieties of ales...Not a favorite.
  
• Kettlehouse Brewery. Small, local brewery. Had at least 10 different beers to choose from. Had many samples and a couple pints. We are pretty drunk.
  
• Lunch follows around 4:30 pm, thank god, at a restaurant called the Iron Horse. Along with a pitcher of Mirror Pond. Too drunk to finish it. Went back to Katie's to nap (pass out) at 5:30. Woke up at 9 pm and decided to go to a bar. It's called Al and Vic's. As exciting as the name might suggest. Had one beer and paid cash (no tabs/cards) and left. Went to the Old Post bar - cool place, nice bartender. Lots of good local beers. Honky-tonk band playing. 7 beers = $18.
• Refueled today - $32
• Mileage 1050 total/30 today
  

2005 - Thur July 7

LIT-BOI
July 3-10
Idaho, Washington, Montana

• Left campsite at 8:30 am. Got to Apgar entrance at 9:30. We took Going to the Sun Route up to Logan Pass (~30 miles). Takes about 1.5 hours. Turned around at the top of the mountain pass and came back toward West Glacier entrance to the park.
• Left Glacier at about 1:30 pm and headed to Kalispell MT. Ate lunch at a Taco Bell there.
• Off to Missoula! We are planning on staying with a relative (Katie) of a Memphis friend (Ellan) who has been generous enough to offer her basement apartment. Takes about 3 hours to get there from Kalispell because of slow drivers and construction. Hit up a Dairy Queen for blizzards. Got to Missoula around 5:30 and went downtown after showering at Katie's.
• Went to Rhino's and played pool and had beers. Went to the Union Club which had slow service but great food. Brad had a philly with sweet potato fries and Nick had a curry chicken sandwich .
• Bed around 1 am.
  
• Mileage 1020 total/250 today

Missoula

2005 - Wed July 6

LIT-BOI
July 3-10
Idaho, Washington, Montana

• Had powdered donuts for breakfast and then started on a 12 miled round trip hike on Akokala Trail to Akokala Lake. Stoped after about 4 miles or so and walked back. Mosquitos were unbearable. Went to Polebridge Mercantile and got some insect repellant and ice. Picked up some more firewood on the way back...you are allowed to pick up wood from the ground.
• RAIN RAIN RAIN. Well, only for about 10 minutes.
• Today's Beer of the Day: Same as last night, and the night before.
  
• Took the short walk to the lake and hung out there on the shore for a bit. Saw 2 rainbows over the lake following a short rainshower.
  
• It's louder tonight, even though we are still in a remote area of the park - near the Canadian border. Canadians are loud, apparently.
  
• A buck insisted on appearing, ninja-style, in our camp again - uninvited and unannounced.
• Brad wears slippers outside. Nick wonders why and thinks that is silly.
  
• Dinner is BBQ chicken, with potatoes cooked with onions in foil over the coals, and a can of vegetarian baked beans.
• mileage 772 total/16 today

2005 - Tues July 5

LIT-BOI
July 3-10
Idaho, Washington, Montana

• Left Kaniksu National Forest around 10:30 am and headed to Montana - crossed the state line around 12, and got to Kalispell, MT around 3 pm - just south of Glacier National Park. Arrived at Glacier around 4 and paid the $20 entry fee. Ate lunch at Lake McDonald (turkey/chicken wraps). Drove to Bowman lake via lot of long winding dirt roads through the northern part of the park (about 20 miles in). Set up camp (#14, $12/nt). Walked to Bowman Lake and had a few beers. Postcard perfect! Amazingly still lake with mountains on each side, reflecting on the lake.
  
• Lots of mosquitos! Wildlife spotted: deer (in and out of our camp all night!), coyote
• Dinner: Brats/veggie burgers with roasted zucchini (camp cooking is awesome)
  
• Beer of the Day: Quail Spring IPA, Hucklberry Wheat (Great Northern Brewing Co) and PBR
• 2nd refuel: $24
• Dark at 11 pm (mosquitos have finally gone away)
• Mileage: 756 total/236 today

2005 - Mon July 4

LIT-BOI
July 3-10
Idaho, Washington, Montana

• Leave Ponderosa St Park @ 8:30 am. Cross 45th parallel at 8:45
• To Lewiston, ID...a glorified Butte, MT - Pop 30,000. Had lunch at a Waffles 'n More at 11 PT. Outside of Lewiston, we get spontaneous on that Idaho ass and stop at a casino in the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. Gambled on video slots - no video poker here. Brad: -$2. Nick: +$2.
  
• On to Spokane, WA. First refuel is $33. Not too much to look at here. The drive through eastern Washington is nice but boring - rolling hills get old after a while.
  
• To Sandpoint, ID, about 70 miles away. Had a beer at a place called Eickerdt's. Denise at Outdoor Adventures recommends camping area at Lake Pend Orielle. Takes some effort to find (wrong dirt road) but we set up camp in Kaniksu National Forest and have a fire by 6:30. We have the best fire poker sticks ever.
  
• Dinner is BBQ chicken and corn on the cob. MMMM!!
• Mileage: 520 total/400 driven today
• Darkness sets in by 11 PM

2005 - Sun July 3

LIT-BOI
July 3-10
Idaho, Washington, Montana

• Decided to fly out of Little Rock instead of Memphis because tickets were much cheaper. We stayed the night at a hotel near the airport and took a shuttle to catch our flight. We were able to leave the car in the hotel parking lot for the week.
• Arriving in Boise, Idaho (famous for potatoes!), we picked up the rental car (maroon Hyundai Sonata) and hit up the local Wal-Mart for supplies (we know it's an evil place but we generally don't have a choice). We donated $103 to the local economy. After shopping, we tore into some Mexican at a place called Casa Mexicano. Concensus = overpriced, mediocre Mexican (and we are authorities on good Mexican).
• Head to McCall, ID (pop 3,000). It was getting late, so we stopped and camped at Ponderosa State Park. Picturesque (massive Ponderosa Pines everywhere) but crowded (lots of screaming children). $20 for a campsite (#77) and $10 for 2 bundles of wood. Watched the sun set over the lake, around 9:15 pm.
• Dinner was veggie burgers grilled over the fire.
  
• Beer of the day: Moose Drool Brown Ale (Big Sky Brewing Co) and Loft Ale. Also, PBR as the non-BOD.
• Darkness set in at 10:25 MST
• Mileage 120