Is that Lopez Island between Australia and New Zealand?

San Jauns, Washington State/puget sound

I think you can do a decent split between the San Juans and the mountains in 10 days. The ferry out of Anacortes gives you a nice tour of the area, and you can choose from any number of places to stay in the islands. If you head down to Mt. Rainier (highly recommended), you should also visit Mt St Helens, which is well worth seeing.

Weather should be great, but we need you to tell everyone it rained the whole time.

Ahhh, its the iphone thing. Its rendering correctly on my phone.

Sorry, I was just trying to be funny. I'm just over in Skagit County, so am intimately familiar with Lopez. I've killed many a salmon in sight of it.

OK, I must have been tired, I don't remember all of those details being in the thread originally. I was going to PM you and ask for more info, hahaha. How was dinner in the Space Needle? Good info. What were your favorite things about that trip?

Hopefully, this doesn't derail the thread, but goes along with it.

We are probably going to be in Seattle a week or maybe a week and a couple of days in September. I was last in Seattle in 2000, so I imagine a few things have changed, and my memory is mostly just snapshots.

Some of the things that the missus and I want to do or were thinking about doing while there are

1. She really wants to see the Chihuly Glass thing. I assume we may as well do the space needle while we're there.
2. Sushi Kashiba. WHen I was in Seattle before, I went to Shiros and it was the best sushi I'd ever had. Apparently, Shiro training under Jiro of "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" fame. Shiro sold Shiro's and now has Sushi Kashiba at the Pike Place Market.
3. Mt St Helens. When I was there before (May 2000) I drove from Seattle to Mt Ranier (they had just opened/plowed the pass so we could drive all the way, and then to Mt St Helens and back. It was some of the most beautiful, picturesque scenery I've ever seen, and the highlight was Mt St Helens and seeing the transition from forest to devastation as we got closer and closer to the volcano, and that was 20 years later. I suspect it's still pretty amazing even after 38 years. I assume that it may be more pleasant if doing this to stay someplace over night closer to the volcano?
4. Things that we're thinking about, Harbor cruise, Museum of Pop Culture.
5. The missus is really interested in seeing one of the rain forests. I understand that they are a hike (5 hr drive) from Seattle, so best to spend the night.

Would Olympic National Forest be better than Mt St Helens? It sounds like to do either, it would be best to stay overnight.

Any suggestions of things to take off or add on?

The rain forests are great and your timing is about right as you have to go around the Olympic mountains from the North or South. Check out 2nd beach. Pretty much the classic PNW ocean scene that is often photographed.

The Space Needle is probably worth checking out as they are just finishing up a big renovation that included glass floors.

We are probably going to spend Sunday in Carnation, WA, so I've considered, arriving Fri, spending the night in Seattle, spending Sat night in someplace closer to Carnation (Snoqualmie, maybe?), then spending Sun-whenever (Wed, or Thu or Fri) back in Seattle unless for one of those nights we decide to stay nearer Mt St Helens or ONP.

And recommendations for a good/cool/interesting hotel in downtown or anywhere else?

Free cabin with view of Lake Cle Elum if the dates work out........PM me...

Cle Elum is why they call Washington the Switzerland of America.

Can't lost if you can go.

A couple of days in San Juan would be quite relaxing.

Salmon fishing is fun, and you can ship/mail your catch back home.

Port Townsend is highly cool, if you like an artsy/seaside sort of place. They have B&Bs on the bluff, overlooking the strait and totally walking distance from 'downtown.' The Flying Karamatzov Brothers are from there, as are the youngsters, NANDA. Combination juggling/vaudeville/karate/gymnastics.

You say you have explored the Olympic Peninsula. I wonder if that is true. <wink>

If you must drive and you want to see the mountains, then it depends on whether you like to hike/backpack. North Cascades National Park is a nearly completely unknown (though well known here) and lightly travelled wonderland. If Olympic National Park and North Cascades National Park (whew!) are not sufficiently entertaining, then there is the crown jewel. Rainier.

PS. The view from the parking lot to hike Cascade Pass is breathtaking. This is the view from the parking lot. Upward, past Cascade Pass, is Sahale Glacier camp. From there, you are looking DOWN at 7,000-foot peaks. Just sayin'....



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1533617184.png

Another. But be aware....there are postcard views almost everywhere around here.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1533617383.jpg

Indeed.

My schedule and whereabouts: I am gone this Wednesday through Friday, and then gone the last week in August through Tuesday after Labor Day. Would love to hook up with you guys. That said, we pacific northwesterners know what to do in the summertime. It's a very active time. Seriously, a burglar could ransack houses throughout the PNW, on any Saturday in summer.

I do remember almost everyplace being beautiful while I was there. I assume in the past 18 years, some things have probably changed a bit.

If you are going to be wandering around the north end of the peninsula, a drive over to Cresent Lake is very worthwhile, it's surrounded by nice forrest and is gorgeous.
Driving up to hurricane ridge get you some great views of the Olympics..

Temps inland may figure into where you want to be.

Cheers Richard.

t
At cresent lk now Richard. Getting out of the heat for a few days. 100 at home, 61 along the water on Hwy 112 last Eve. Heaven...
It

^^ You have taught me well Sensei!
no fooling Bob, my trip to that area was very enhanced by all of the local knowledge and tips shared as I was traveling there.

That why Im trying to pitch in for MRM's upcoming trip.

Ah Cresent Lake. Sweet spot. Nice driving around there too. Just one of the times I was happy to have the SC to explore with.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1533770258.jpg

Bob are you cruising on a motorcycle? Nice area for riding!

Cheers Richard

Yes - MC to get out of heat. Met up with NotaBRG for dinner 2nite. Thax Joel..

Whistler in the summer is quiet and has few people.