What's to like about the Pacific Northwest?

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Messages 1 - 106 of total 106 in this topic
Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Original Post - Sep 19, 2012 - 01:18am PT
The coffee's pretty good. I won't buy a cup of coffee south of, say, Grants Pass.

Every town - no matter how small - has its own brewery. Even little one-horse towns like Laconner, Port Townsend, and Birdsview have outstanding local breweries.

Bleu cheese cheeseburgers. With applewood smoked bacon. Flyers in Oak Harbor makes a good one ( and brews good beer, too ). Seeds in Laconner makes a better one. The best one I found was at Rouge River Brewing out on a pier on the Colombia River in Astoria.

And Vern Fonk commercials.

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Hot dogs with cream cheese aren't bad, either.
Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
Sep 19, 2012 - 01:22am PT
It's as close to Squamish as you can get without actually being in Canada.
Karen

Trad climber
So Cal urban sprawl Hell
Sep 19, 2012 - 01:41am PT
The incredible coastline
Mt. Rainier, Adams, ect.
Old growth forests
The ferry system
San Juan Islands, especially Orcas Island

Market Spice Tea
Fresh oysters
Salmon

The great book store in Seattle
Feathered Friends

and on and on..... love it up there!
apogee

climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
Sep 19, 2012 - 01:48am PT
" I won't buy a cup of coffee south of, say, Grants Pass. "

Believe it or not, Dutch Brothers coffee in Medford/Ashland is pretty good.
froodish

Social climber
Portland, Oregon
Sep 19, 2012 - 02:12am PT
Hail Cascadia!
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Sep 19, 2012 - 02:15am PT
Portlandia!
Vegasclimber

Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
Sep 19, 2012 - 03:46am PT
Second on the Dutch Brothers. Great brew.

My home town is Forks...to me it will always be the "Logging Capitol Of The World" not "Twilight Town"...

There are so many things to like about the PNW...the forests, the hunting, the people. Wonderful fishing, camping, climbing and peak bagging. Hurricane Ridge in the spring, Crescent Lake, and so much more. Totem poles, the ferns and the wildlife.

I miss my home town sometimes!
Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
Sep 19, 2012 - 06:18am PT
I guess I was lookin' at the wrong piece of meat in that first Japadog photo...

What's to like about the Pacific Northwest?

Vancouver, BC
Whistler-Blackcomb, BC
Mt. Baker Ski Area
Vancouver Island, BC
Olympic coast
Rainforests
AWESOME scuba diving
Did I mention awesome scuba diving?
Canuks
REAL alpine climbing




Delhi Dog

climber
Good Question...
Sep 19, 2012 - 07:02am PT
Lots and many have been mentioned.

Music-incredible
Weather-really, I sometimes get tired of sun 360 days a year
Tattoos-I don't have 'em and don't plan on getting any, but darn there sure are a lot of them up there
Skiing-it ain't pow (okay on occasion) but still
Rivers-rafting, kayaking, fishing, dreaming, wandering, listening...
Wildlife-of the flora and fauna kind
Great colleges/universities
Still some old growth forest (for how long?)

to name a few more
oh, and the climbing ain't too bad either
splitter

Trad climber
Hodad, surfing the galactic plane
Sep 19, 2012 - 07:07am PT
I was born in Seattle, so it can't be all that bad, eh? And the view of Mount Rainier from just about anywhere in the upper left quadrant of Washington state engrains in you the desire to explore the mountains from an early age. That is one damn good reason to "like" about it, imo!
Fluoride

Trad climber
West Los Angeles, CA
Sep 19, 2012 - 07:40am PT
I love the place. Seattle and surrounding environs are amazing. Vancouver is IMO the best city in North America.

Except for the damn rain. I grew up in a very cold place with harsh winters. I like my life not being dictated by the weather here in SoCal. Otherwise I'd live in Seattle in a heartbeat.

Stack living in SoCal to Seattle and I'm pretty sure folks in Seattle are much more happy in general.

I just need sun.

My last Minnesota winter before I moved out here we went 3 weeks without sunny days one January and temps that never got above 20 degrees. I still went outside and XC skiied golf courses just to be outside and active but after a couple of weeks everyone was so cranky. Sun deprivation makes people cranky. That was it for me. Moved here 6 months later and have never left.

Props to you guys that live up there though. It's gorgeous and you have great climbing options and an amazing climbing community. And don't seem to let the weather get the best of you.

Then again, I've climbed all summer in the JT heat, albeit in the early AM hours or afternoons when things go in the shade. I've adapted and love it. :) I guess you make the most of climbing wherever you are. Gas is too expensive for my former weekend routines of going to Tuolumne or the Sierra in the summers.
mooser

Trad climber
seattle
Sep 19, 2012 - 08:52am PT
We were right on the edge of moving back to San Diego from Seattle, and just a few weeks ago decided to stay put. We may question our decision when the rains start up again, but dang it...this place is amazing, and we've finally got an amazing group of friends.

If you're an introvert (I'm not), this is a great place for you. To cope with the long, wet fall, winter and spring, we've been hosting year 'round monthly "Bouldering BBQs" at our place (climbing wall, slackline, firepit, BBQ, general hanging out), and it's been an awesome way to hang with great people, make new friends, and make the best of the weather.

This place is actually pretty magical for so many of the reasons already stated. I totally resonate with Fluoride's comments about the sun, but we're hoping to get over the mountains more this winter to find it, since making the decision to stay.

Carry on...
jstan

climber
Sep 19, 2012 - 09:06am PT
Every Minnesotan who tells me that state is perfect and that So Cal is bad

lives in So Cal.

A friend was washing cars during the winter in Nordecota, delivered a car outside of town. The guy opened his door, took the keys, and slammed the door. Roger, wet to the bone had to walk back in the driving snow.

As soon as he opened his door he called out, "Bertie! Pack your bags. We are moving to California."
Fluoride

Trad climber
West Los Angeles, CA
Sep 19, 2012 - 09:09am PT
Mooser, you live in an amazing place with great climbing options and people that don't let the rain stop them from running, hiking, and doing any other activities. I think the people of the PNW are the heartiest of climbers and it shows. You guys are committed. In the best of ways.
Norwegian

Trad climber
Placerville, California
Sep 19, 2012 - 09:10am PT
the heavens often
wet tight, white shirts upon
unsuspecting well-endowed women.

Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
Sep 19, 2012 - 09:12am PT
Rivers.
Fluoride

Trad climber
West Los Angeles, CA
Sep 19, 2012 - 09:13am PT
jstan, I love living in SoCal and have for 15 years. It's got it's ups and downs but the ups are so huge (great weather, yearlong climbing).

Ever live in Minnesota? I did. Birth through 18 then back for another 3 years after college in the south then moved out here.

Winters are a hellscape but I didn't know the difference. That was just the way life was lived. From junior high til I graduated from high school I got home before the rest of my family and had to shovel our long sloping driveway. Was a pain in the ass but I didnt' know otherwise. Was just what I had to do to keep the driveway clean.

PS - when I was a little girl i got a Barbie ski outfit for Xmas. I dressed her up, put the skis and poles on her (tied with rubber bands) and went into my backyard and built a ski slope for her to go on. I threw her down there and she disappeared into a huge snowbank. Despite extensive searches with my dad, we didn't find my ski Barbie until March when the snow started to melt off.

My lost Barbie ski girl was a very traumatic loss for me at the time. :(

But that is a life a a 6 year old.
couchmaster

climber
pdx
Sep 19, 2012 - 09:55am PT
YETI'S my brohams....and lots of em.
Studly

Trad climber
WA
Sep 19, 2012 - 10:17am PT
Canadian chicks!
TwistedCrank

climber
Dingleberry Gulch, Ideeho
Sep 19, 2012 - 10:32am PT
I moved to the Pacific Northwest in October 1997.

I could see Canada from my house.

I caught a cold in November 1997. I finally rid myself of said cold in May of 1998.

Said cold reappeared annually for the next 4 years.

In September 2001 I moved the intermountain west, where we get about 13 inches of rain a year. When I catch a cold nowadays it lasts, like, 35 minutes.

What's not to like about the Pacific Northwest?
sempervirens

climber
Sep 19, 2012 - 10:39am PT
Go to Eugene for some of the most ridiculous social and political arguments, where I witnessed people lecturing others about their purchases while standing in line at the grocery store (the evils of white sugar, the coffee trade, paper vs. plastic, "and I'm trying to educate you..."

Chaz, you seem to be a politically right-leaning person and I think you may be amused at the extreme liberal conformity amongst people there. I happen to be mostly liberal but I found the rampant liberalism there to be extreme to the point of a competition for the highest social moral ground.
As the best example I can remember after years of living in Eugene, I was told that middle-aged white men rule the world and that is why the world is in such violent turmoil. Upon my questioning this opinion I was told I could never understand prejudice and bias because I'm a white male. (Think about that statement). Even the white males present agreed.

Keep a humerous attitude and talk to some Eugeneans and let me know what you think.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Sep 19, 2012 - 11:16am PT
Not much other than a lot of slogging...



Sometimes you can see something...

Wayno

Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
Sep 19, 2012 - 12:14pm PT
Nice place for a fish out of water.
Plaidman

Trad climber
South Slope of Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon, USA
Sep 19, 2012 - 01:19pm PT
Plaidman lives there. You have to like that.
Hoser

climber
vancouver
Sep 19, 2012 - 01:29pm PT
Not much really, you get a few decent days a year to get something done and the rest of the time people just complain. Would I work till I am 75 to afford a sh#t pile here....not freaking likely

Houses start at 900 000 on the outskirts of town

Cloudraker

Sport climber
San Diego, CA
Sep 19, 2012 - 02:47pm PT
Sorry but I'm with Hoser. Median income in Vancouver = $60,000; median home price = $600,000. Can't afford to live there and don't like the rain (avg. 165 days of precipitation/year).

When it's sunny it's beautiful though. And there's good coffee, food, and climbing objectives especially alpine.

edit: Absurd Vancouver Property of the Week
Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
Sep 19, 2012 - 03:37pm PT
I lived in Vancouver for 20 years, and mostly liked it. But after moving to Seattle for the past ten years, the thought of moving back to Vancouver holds no charm.

Seattle's not perfect, but I certainly prefer it to Van.
Plaidman

Trad climber
South Slope of Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon, USA
Sep 19, 2012 - 03:47pm PT
^^^^^We call it Van-tucky
Hoser

climber
vancouver
Sep 19, 2012 - 03:48pm PT
Seattle is worse! Its Vancouver with less women and no health care
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Sep 19, 2012 - 03:50pm PT
Yabbut Ghost has both.
Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
Sep 19, 2012 - 04:06pm PT
Don't know about the "less women" thing. Seems to be about the same m-to-f ratio in both cities. As to health care, you're quite right, but that's a country thing, not a city thing.

I'd happily slide Seattle 150 miles north and across the border if:
a) that would bring universal health care, but not
b) an influx of santimonious Canadians moving in and spoiling the vibe
Plaidman

Trad climber
South Slope of Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon, USA
Sep 19, 2012 - 04:07pm PT
The dream of the 90's is alive in Portland.
It's where young people go to retire.

[Click to View YouTube Video]
Binks

climber
Uranus
Sep 19, 2012 - 04:36pm PT
In Portland, almost everything you want to do in the city is within a 5 mile radius. There is no need for a car. The food and beer are fabulous. You can bike everywhere. Hood is 90 minutes. Can't think of anywhere in America that beats it for quality of life. Yes, it rains. So what?
Hoser

climber
vancouver
Sep 19, 2012 - 05:01pm PT
Yes, it rains. So what?

Kinda makes the no car thing moot...

Seattle and Portland combined cant touch the quality of women we have in Van, however no one can touch the women in Van because they have the worst attitude in the world!

PNW as a whole sucks but the American one is even worse
Oplopanax

Mountain climber
The Deep Woods
Sep 19, 2012 - 07:15pm PT
The best rock climbing in Oregon is in Washington, and the best rock climbing in Washington is in BC.

I mean, in BC we have rock like the Smith Rock tuff. We just don't bother to climb on it.

The best alpine climbing in Washington - an area with dozens of amazing routes and three or four separate guidebooks - would get one chapter in a BC alpine guidebook and would get visited maybe a dozen times a year.

But yeah, it rains. So stay away.
Hoser

climber
vancouver
Sep 19, 2012 - 08:15pm PT
They always post pics like that, and for sure its awesome when its sunny...but from about next week till February its nothing but dark and rainy.

Plaidman

Trad climber
South Slope of Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon, USA
Sep 19, 2012 - 08:18pm PT
Then go to the desert. 2/3's of Oregon is so dry your spit will dry before it hits the ground.

The problem is that there is not much out there. Besides Smith Rock!
Hoser

climber
vancouver
Sep 19, 2012 - 08:20pm PT
America?

hahahahahhahaha, ya ill take 11 months of rain first
Chango

Trad climber
norcal
Sep 19, 2012 - 08:57pm PT
Steelhead fishing in the OP. Steelhead fishing on the North Umpqua. Make ya do crazy things...
MisterE

Social climber
Sep 19, 2012 - 11:18pm PT
As a person who spent the first 30 years of his life there, the following:

The North Cascades hold the greatest potential for alpine first ascents in the USA.

The skiing at places like Baker, and Whistler are awesome...if you have strong legs and are not a powder-pussy.

Some of the most amazing organic foods are coming out of places like the Skagit Valley and surrounding areas. I mean really hard-core Organic people here.

The San Juan Islands are an archipelago of undiscovered wonder. I grew up fish tendering in the San Juans, and the surprises are endless, and the people friendly.

If you long for greenery? This is the place: it overwhelmingly green, stunningly green, stupifyingly green, you-will-long-for-tan-colors green.

If you are a goth looking for a depressing contingency - you will find it here!

You get the idea.

That being said - I don't miss the long, wet winters.
zBrown

Ice climber
chingadero de chula vista
Sep 19, 2012 - 11:23pm PT
Jimi Hendrix was born in Seattle Nov 27, 1942.

I went to Seattle once to work as a consultant to that great American institution the Microswift Corporation. It rained everyday I was there and I had to leave to attend to the earthquake situation in Los Angeles. What year was that?

Anyway, as I was flying out (well, actually I was just riding in the plane) the sun popped through the clouds and shown down on the mountain. Very impressive sight.

So I'm flying next to the mountain, chopping down with the edge of my hand?

Five Easy Pieces.



Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
Sep 19, 2012 - 11:30pm PT
If you are a goth looking for a depressing contingency - you will find it here!

Damn. Ten points to Mr. E!

Yeah, I suspect goth is dead pretty much everywhere else in the galaxy, but it's still alive and well in Seattle.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Sep 20, 2012 - 01:02am PT
Flat light can be good for photography...

but, as noted, not so good for skiing. After this shot I almost bought the
farm skiing off the back side of Mt Snocrummie, by myself as usual.
"WHO THE FUK PUT THAT CLIFF HERE?"

The real problem was I couldn't see that the 'snow' went from deep crud to
pure water ice and it was so steep that the bails on my Silvrettas prevented
me from edgeing adequately.
Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
Sep 20, 2012 - 01:04am PT
I lived in the San Juan Islands for about 7 years.

I really liked the annual Seattle Rain Festival.

Begins every year on or about January 1st
Ends on or about December 31st
Wayno

Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
Sep 20, 2012 - 01:07am PT
Buncha rain whimps!
cmcc

Trad climber
Hood River, OR
Sep 20, 2012 - 01:15am PT
Been in the NW for 17 years. Just moved to Redding.
Going to miss the area.

Video of the Columbia River

http://video-embed.oregonlive.com/services/player/bcpid649768122001?bclid=0&bctid=1845978006001
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Sep 20, 2012 - 01:18am PT
Cafe YUKK - they got all offended when I asked if they had anything genetically modified.

Eugene - there's no mistaking it...



Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Sep 20, 2012 - 01:37am PT
Jim, of course! No free-heelin' for me - lock and load, baby! 210 K2's,
Super Guides or Peutereys with Galibier Rigid Rands over the boot. It was
Da Bomb! Why do you think I can barely walk now?

Heading up to the Kautz...
little Z

Trad climber
un cafetal en Naranjo
Sep 20, 2012 - 05:45am PT
Safeco Field


King Felix


and yer Seattle Mariners, my oh my!
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Sep 20, 2012 - 09:53am PT
Lets see, the seafood........ummmm...I was sure there was something else.
Plaidman

Trad climber
South Slope of Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon, USA
Sep 20, 2012 - 09:55am PT
Voodoo Doughnuts!
[Click to View YouTube Video]
Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 21, 2012 - 10:39pm PT
Thanks, Little Z. I forgot about Safeco Field.

Seattle is a beautiful city, and you have some neat views of it from there.

Looks like your seats were about where ours were last year. Saw the White Sox wax the Mariners 13-3 ( I did see a grand-slam homer, though. I'd never seen one of those since Little League )

We rode the train from Mukilteo to the stadium, after walking onto the ferry on Whidbey.
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Sep 23, 2012 - 02:37am PT
I love this thread.

Could never live there (darkness makes me turn into Jack Torrance; see The Shining). Would need massive doses of Prozac to make it through the winter. And a lot of Scotch. Hee hee.

Love visiting my pals up there though.

Someone upstream posted the opening clip of the first episode of Portlandia. This post is just more evidence that Portlandia, which borders on surreal, is not making anything up:

Go to Eugene for some of the most ridiculous social and political arguments, where I witnessed people lecturing others about their purchases while standing in line at the grocery store (the evils of white sugar, the coffee trade, paper vs. plastic, "and I'm trying to educate you..."

Chaz, you seem to be a politically right-leaning person and I think you may be amused at the extreme liberal conformity amongst people there. I happen to be mostly liberal but I found the rampant liberalism there to be extreme to the point of a competition for the highest social moral ground.
As the best example I can remember after years of living in Eugene, I was told that middle-aged white men rule the world and that is why the world is in such violent turmoil. Upon my questioning this opinion I was told I could never understand prejudice and bias because I'm a white male. (Think about that statement). Even the white males present agreed.

Keep a humerous attitude and talk to some Eugeneans and let me know what you think.

Don't get me wrong, I love these PNW people. How could you not?

Eric
Wayno

Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
Sep 23, 2012 - 03:45am PT
Shrooms , dude. Chanterelles are crankin' now.
pc

climber
Sep 23, 2012 - 10:44am PT
Wayno,

I was tracking a post from you and Ghost a couple years ago and it lead to me bushwacking all over Tiger mountain. Crap, I couldn't find them. Please give me a pointer to one of your secret spots? ;) I'll just take enough for dinner.

Cheers,
pc
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Sep 23, 2012 - 10:48am PT
I think it's related to the climate but people in the PNW are unfailingly polite but rarely, open, warm and accomodating to newcomers.
Wayno

Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
Sep 23, 2012 - 10:56am PT
but rarely, open, warm and accomodating to newcomers.

Yeah, but what about "oldcomers"?

pc, Look under pines as opposed to fir or cedar. Start higher up off of Hwy 18 near the pass.
Srbphoto

climber
Kennewick wa
Sep 23, 2012 - 10:57am PT
PNW - dry and hot in the summer and cold and dry n the winter. the 2 weeks of spring and fall are nice though.


pc

climber
Sep 23, 2012 - 11:07am PT
Thanks a million Wayno! Was just thinking I should try the other side of the mountain.
Cheers,
pc
Brunosafari

Boulder climber
OR
Sep 23, 2012 - 11:10am PT

Donini-- you are invited for dinner, lodging and at least one belay. Second invite, btw! Bruce :))
mooser

Trad climber
seattle
Sep 23, 2012 - 11:19am PT
I think it's related to the climate but people in the PNW are unfailingly polite but rarely, open, warm and accomodating to newcomers.

Donini - I know of which you speak. It's the infamous "Seattle Freeze," though it's finally begun to thaw. Kind of a "local warming" thing. Took a good 5+ years, though.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Seattle%20Freeze
Brunosafari

Boulder climber
OR
Sep 23, 2012 - 11:21am PT
Mooser, you are invited for dinner, lodging and at least one belay. Second invite, btw! :))
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Sep 23, 2012 - 11:22am PT
I may take you up on your offer Bruce, but please, don't put Smith Rocks on the menu.
Brunosafari

Boulder climber
OR
Sep 23, 2012 - 11:27am PT
SUSHI is on the menu. Uncooked fish, right?

It's okay to climb at Smith-- just have your tan on because the cameras are always rollin'.

Enthusiast

Sport climber
Port Townsend WA
Sep 23, 2012 - 11:27am PT
There's a crag called Big Rock in Chimicum about 20 minutes outside Port Townsend. I've lived in PT my whole life and can't find much else to climb.
Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
Sep 23, 2012 - 11:49am PT
I think it's related to the climate but people in the PNW are unfailingly polite but rarely, open, warm and accomodating to newcomers.

It's the infamous "Seattle Freeze,

You guys aren't the first people I've heard saying this, but I sure didn't encounter that attitude when I moved here. The local climbing community seemed warm, open, and welcoming.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Sep 23, 2012 - 12:24pm PT
The local climbing community seemed warm, open, and welcoming.

Aren't Ponzi schemes invariably like that?

Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
Sep 23, 2012 - 12:58pm PT
Aren't Ponzi schemes invariably like that?

So, you're saying it was all a trick? That all the people I thought had become my friends and climbing partners are just after my money? Damn. They sure had me fooled.
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Sep 23, 2012 - 01:17pm PT
Favorite Portlandia scenes (at least the ones off the top of my head, there are many):

Steve Buscemi trying to use the rest room in women's bookstore.

Hide and Seek League teams at the library.

Apparently "abandoned" dog tied up to sign by cafe.

Amy Mann as housecleaner (with bonus Sarah McLachlan as gardener).

Restaurant scene where they go to the farm to get to know the people who raised the chicken they might order.

Any of the Kyle MacLachlan as Portland mayor scenes.

And more!

Eric
mooser

Trad climber
seattle
Sep 23, 2012 - 06:59pm PT
Mooser, you are invited for dinner, lodging and at least one belay. Second invite, btw! :))

We've at least shared some beer at Smith during a rainstorm, Bruce! And I never said that was a "Bend freeze."

Regarding the "Seattle Freeze" -
You guys aren't the first people I've heard saying this, but I sure didn't encounter that attitude when I moved here. The local climbing community seemed warm, open, and welcoming.

Very true, David! The climbing community has turned out to be incredibly hospitable, generous, and un-frozen!
mooser

Trad climber
seattle
Sep 23, 2012 - 07:08pm PT
And more!

How about the Battlestar Gallactica episode?
Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 24, 2012 - 01:03pm PT





apogee

climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
Sep 24, 2012 - 01:05pm PT
Interesting perspective, Chaz. What was your position for kite flying in those pics?
ydpl8s

Trad climber
Santa Monica, California
Sep 24, 2012 - 01:18pm PT
Forget Smith Rocks, volcanic choss @ altitude is where it's at.

Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 24, 2012 - 01:19pm PT
In the second-to-last shot, in the lower-left corner, you can see the beach I was standing on.

Across the street from the ferry terminal is Keystone Cafe, with hot dogs, cold beer, and spotty internet. I like to hang there while waiting for the wind.
Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 26, 2012 - 11:50am PT



donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Sep 26, 2012 - 11:55am PT
The cities in the PNW generally have bad traffic but they do have excellent freeways leading south and east to drier climes.
Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 26, 2012 - 01:08pm PT
Driving The 5 through Seattle at rush hour is nothing like driving The 91 east in the afternoon in SoCal.

Seattle itself is a bit of a challenge - unless you know where you're going. It still beats driving in Santa Cruz.

When the freeway is wide open, Seattle drivers like to make radical lane changes for no good logical reason. It sure is entertaining, I'm laughing my ass off all the way down The 5.

Here on Whidbey, nobody drives the speed limit. Everyone wants to drive ten or fifteen mph under the limit, until they get to a passing lane, then it's Gren Flag Racing at 70 mph to make sure nobody can get around them. Once they're past the passing lane, it's back to fifteen under the speed limit again. It's f*#king maddening sometimes.

The reason folks drive like that here on Whidbey is because nobody ever gets shot for driving like a dick, like you would if you pulled that crap in SoCal. ( not that I condone shooting ass-hole drivers, but I can certainly understand it )
John Duffield

Mountain climber
New York
Sep 26, 2012 - 01:19pm PT
The life in the Sea there is cool also.

http://www.wimp.com/otterdog/

Seamstress

Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
Sep 26, 2012 - 01:38pm PT
I do love choosing the weather. If it is drizzling at the house, drive to the desert just 30 miles east. If it is hotter than Hades, drive up to some alpine or mountain objective.

I do love choosing the season I will play in today. Snow? Rock? What's your pleasure?

The rock may not be all pristine, but the great mountaineering, and good skiing are a nice benefit.

Then there are lots of spots tucked into the forest that can host your private climbing party for the day
Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 26, 2012 - 01:47pm PT
Love the Otter Dog!
Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
Sep 26, 2012 - 04:53pm PT
Nice shots Chaz. You've got that kite/camera thing down.

I've had some good times in the PNW. When the weather's nice, it's truly glorious but in a way those sunny days in the English countryside are glorious. They're so rare and the scenery is the result of lots of rain. I think Chaz' original observation pretty much sums it up:
The coffee's pretty good. I won't buy a cup of coffee south of, say, Grants Pass.

Every town - no matter how small - has its own brewery. Even little one-horse towns like Laconner, Port Townsend, and Birdsview have outstanding local breweries.
When the weather sucks as much as it does, you need strong coffee and lots of alcohol to compensate. You're actually trading alot for that good coffee and beer.
Binks

climber
Uranus
Sep 26, 2012 - 05:13pm PT
Why complain about the weather? I'm in an office all day anyway. If it's raining on the weekend, I go to the mountains. BTW, it hasn't rained appreciably in Portland for the last three months. The rainy months make reading books,cocooning with your artistic pursuits, and hitting the pubs and cafes very appealing. The culture is great.
Oplopanax

Mountain climber
The Deep Woods
Sep 26, 2012 - 09:43pm PT
Unclimbed walls half an hour away. Well, probably two hours all told to the base. Same time as to get to Squamish but greater effort.

Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 28, 2012 - 01:12am PT
Even though the Locals all grumble about the ferries, I like them.





The dog likes them too. She gets to walk around on the car deck. It keeps me from going upstairs and wasting money on over-priced beer.



I can't see myself ever on a cruise ship - even though I dig ships. Ferry rides are just long enough to be entertaining without the mind-numbing boredom of being stuck for days in a floating hotel.

Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 30, 2012 - 07:51pm PT
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Oct 5, 2012 - 02:39am PT
More Portlandia, but this time, nobody's trying to make anything up:

Star Wars Yoga is Really a Real Thing in Portland

Make sure to check out the video down article.

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. Well, HST probably would have just shot the f*#kers. :-)

Eric
Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 22, 2012 - 11:24pm PT
God Bless Vern Fonk.

[Click to View YouTube Video]

martygarrison

Trad climber
Washington DC
Nov 22, 2012 - 11:45pm PT
San Juan Islands. I have had five acres on Lopez for over thirty years. Maybe someday I will build something on it.
kpinwalla2

Social climber
WA
Nov 23, 2012 - 12:04am PT
Best wine in North America. Year round climbing and less than 10 inches of rain per year east of the Cascades (just why DO you folks live on the we(s)t side? - all the good wine and dry rock is over here....)
Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 13, 2014 - 08:22am PT
Somewhere in America, it's summertime right now ...


... but not here.

I like summers on Whidbey Island. Summer here is like winter in SoCal.
PhilG

Trad climber
The Circuit, Tonasket WA
Aug 13, 2014 - 08:55am PT
It's summer here in this part of the Pacific Northwest!

Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 13, 2014 - 09:01am PT

Wanna go to Port Townsend, and get a beer? Here's your ride.
The Larry

climber
Moab, UT
Aug 13, 2014 - 09:13am PT
"Put a bird on it. "
looks easy from here

climber
Ben Lomond, CA
Aug 13, 2014 - 09:19am PT
B.C. in June:

OR in June:

;p
bixquite

Social climber
humboldt nation
Aug 13, 2014 - 09:28am PT
index is like primus... sucks
Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 13, 2014 - 10:24pm PT

They get low clouds here sometimes.
Studly

Trad climber
WA
Aug 13, 2014 - 11:11pm PT
The skiing is good

Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 19, 2014 - 10:56am PT
Seattle is a damn scenic city - but not so much at street level.

Fortunately, there are some tall buildings with observation decks open to the public ( and I'm not talking about the Space Needle, either )

100-year-old Smith Tower is one of them:


Columbia Center is another one:










Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Aug 19, 2014 - 11:01am PT
The guy that owned the Smith Tower BITD paid a friend of mine to change the
salmon wind sock he liked up there every six months. I helped do it once.
You had to climb up a ladder into the tiny glass cupola on top that had a
light in it when it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi.
Then I belayed Mark as he went outside and did the deed. Lotta fun.
Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 19, 2014 - 11:06am PT
Flying the Fish Flag?

There's a "12" flag up there now, I think.

I understand a young family gets to live in the top-floor apartment now.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Aug 19, 2014 - 11:10am PT
The problem is that there is not much out there. Besides Smith Rock!


Oh how wrong you are Plaidman.......



Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
Aug 19, 2014 - 11:55am PT

Yup, I'm right there, up in one of those buildings, looking out my window at another perfect summer day.
Seamstress

Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
Aug 19, 2014 - 03:11pm PT
Nothing.
MisterE

climber
Aug 19, 2014 - 09:47pm PT
Every time I am in LaConner visiting Mom, I go to the Pub for the shrimp basket...
Chaz

Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 19, 2014 - 10:51pm PT
I saw you there, Ghost. I waved, but you didn't see me. Looked like you were busy.
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