West Coast

I know the title of this post doesn’t reflect the correct lyrics to the popular Christmas tune, but this year, unlike my normal Christmas’ where I walk in a sunny wonderland (Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii) or a magical winter wonderland at home in NYC, these substitute lyrics are appropriate as I am venturing to a place known for rain and gloom–but also the place I grew up and where my family and friends still live– Seattle.

If you are a follower of this site, you already know that I am from Seattle and have absolutely zero desire to go back there ever again (permanently), but short visits are something I can do and this will be the first Christmas that the husband and I will open gifts in the Pacific NW since we moved to the East Coast over 4 years ago.

Living out East for the past four Christmas’ has been awesome! There is no other place in the country (or World??) that can match the holiday spirit that NYC generates! From the windows at Macy’s to the computerized yet realistic snowflakes at Saks to seeing the tree at Rockefeller and shopping the Christmas markets at Union Square and Central Park to ice skating at Bryant Park– and the list goes on.

Ice Rink in Central Park (photo credit: D Ellefson)

Regardless of how horribly depressing the gloomy gray skies of Seattle will be (dare I even wish for snow?), I will make this trip as CHRISTMASY as possible!!! First and foremost, I am excited to see my nephew and niece and wake up super early with them on Christmas morning to see them open THE BEST presents EVER (from Uncle and me of course, even though Uncle will likely sleep in a bit later than me). Also, my grandparents are making the trek over the mountains and through the woods JUST to see hubby and me (I mean, of course they’re coming for us–who cares about those cute great-grandkids…).

While in Seattle, the lack of snow or even sunny, crisp temps won’t bother me too much with family and friends close by AND these totally Christmasy things to do:

The famous Seattle Space Needle

1) The Christmas Carol Improv! I have been to this show in the ghost of Christmas past and it is awesome! Always different, (it is Improv) and based on the original Dickens story but sprinkled with audience suggestions on how the story should be acted out, this performance called “Seattle’s Funniest Christmas Show” is a Pacific NW tradition!

The show is regularly shown at their home smack dab in the middle of Pike Place Market at the Market Theater, but since its currently being renovated, this year I will see it at the equally cool Intiman Theater at Seattle Center.

2) Christmas Lights Shining Bright!
When I was a kid, driving to and walking around neighborhoods decked out Clark W Griswold style was, and still IS, a highlight (and also free). One of the best stops (and longest running) in Seattle is Candy Cane Lane in Ravenna! The neighborhood has been doing this light show since 1941.
Address: Northeast Park Road, off Ravenna Boulevard, Seattle, WA

Ravenna Neighborhood

3) Seeing the Lights & the Sights from the Water
Seattle locals may humbug the Argosy (“Its so touristy”) and even I used to poo-poo it until I went on an Argosy summer cruise a few years back and saw Bill Gates’ mansion. One word: GINORMOUS. Anyway, at Christmastime, all of the touristy labels go out the window because tourists and locals will love the lights seen from the water. In its 62nd year, this parade of Argosy Christmas Ships sails the Puget Sound waterfront communities and if you are lucky enough to get tickets on the lead ship, THE Christmas Ship, onboard choirs will sing carols throughout your journey. This runs through December 23rd. Did I mention the outer decks on the ships are heated. Oh yes! I’ll see you there! ($35 adults $31.50 seniors $19 kids ages 5-12 (4 and under no charge)

The Argosy Ship

4) Molbaks
Annual Festival of Poinsettias

Molbaks is a Christmas tradition for Seattleites and a must stop for anyone that lives in the general vicinity (Molbaks is in the suburb of Woodinville and well worth the short drive from Seattle). Aside from the numerous wonderful ornaments and decorations to shop (I love the Department 56 collections they have), fresh trees to meander through and hot chocolate to sip–they boast one of the most colorful sights in all of Washington State: the Annual Festival of Poinsettias.

With over 25 varieties (25, really? Wow!) and tons of family photo ops (even with Santa!!), this is a MUST STOP to get into or get more into the holiday spirit. They are open all the way through Christmas Eve at 4! I’ll see you there–after the Argosy ride of course, and lets hope for snow, or at least not rain.

Dear Maui,

Let me start by saying how sorry I am. For what you may ask? Well, I forgot how much I love you. I took you for granted while growing up on the West Coast. You were so close in proximity to me. I visited often and while I deeply enjoyed each visit, after moving to the East Coast I quickly threw you aside for new vacation spots such as the Caribbean and the Bahamas. They are similar to you–kind people, warm weather and lots of beach, but one thing they have going for them that you don’t is just a short flight–three to four hours.

How quickly I pushed you aside for convenient air travel.

After arriving in April for a mandatory trip that was related to my husband’s job (and even with the ridiculous layovers that were scheduled [not your fault]), all of my hesitations about the distance and the “comfortably restless” feeling I had for you that left me wanting to explore new places vanished as soon as I stepped into your open air airport and smelled the sweet air as it gently blew against my face. I remembered again how you were my first tropical love; my true tropical love.

This last visit may have been my best (well, tied maybe with the Spring Break trip my friend Jean and I took out there). The weather was perfect (you do have to admit that January/February are a bit iffy these days what with global warming or what not) and since my husband and I had both visited multiple times, we didn’t feel the need to rush and do tourist activities everyday leaving us so much time to just enjoy and unwind. At home (on the East Coast), people marvel at my visits to Hawaii. To them, Hawaii is some far off land, maybe as to how the Caymen Islands may seem to someone in Oregon. A far away, exotic paradise.
In the past I brushed off the “ooohs and ahhhhs” uttered at my Hawaii trips (again, I am sorry–I lost my head) and commented “Yes, it is nice.” Nice? Ugh, I am despicable.

While this apology letter need not go into any detail on the many attributes you offer your visitors–because I see them in my minds eye whenever I want–I want others to not make the same mistake I have made; I don’t want anyone to EVER forget how amazing you are.

So, with that said–I am listing some must-do and sees for anyone visiting.

See you soon,
Diana

ps: the other Hawaiian islands are amazing too. But Maui, you know I love you best.

WHAT ONE MUST DO & MUST SEE IN MAUI

1. Relax. You are here.

2. Lounge. I recommend staying in the Kaanapali area (although Kihei [pronounced 'kee-hay'] is another great area, so don’t count it out especially if you get a deal at the Grand Wailea, the fanciest hotel on the island). In Kaanapali the views of the famous Black Rock are best seen from the Sheraton. It is an older hotel, but kept up nicely and the views, pool area, bars and staff are exceptional. Snorkel right from the beach or do a resort dive and get a taste of the deep. Shopping is also just a short walk away on the beach path at Whalers Village. See # 5 on this list.

view of Black Rock and some of the Sheraton grounds

3. Go to a Luau. Lahaina, the original capital of Hawaii, is a small surf town with all of the tourist shops but with much more charm than most touristy towns. Many of the hotels on Maui offer a Luau but the most famous (and fun) is the Old Lahaina Luau but make reservations ahead of time!
And go early to town to shop around and have a pre-Luau drink at Lahaina Grill

Luau

4. Learn to Surf, or Stand Up Paddle
BECOME a true Hawaiian visitor and do like the locals do- Surf or do my new favorite sport: SUP (Stand Up Paddle).
Lessons are offered all over the island. Check with your hotel for recommendations or for a sure fire GOOD TIME try these guys out. Get on the water.

5. Shop. There is no shortage of retail shops and flea markets all over the island where you can find Hawaiian trinkets and high end stores within steps of each other. Whalers Village is a great combo of t-shirt shops, surf shops and jewelry stores–with the odd shaved ice place thrown in here and there. If the shops aren’t enough of a draw for you, go at least for the Hula Grill where you can dine with your feet in the sand overlooking the blue water and maybe a whale in the Pacific.

6. Take an epic drive. I recently did a post in my series titled See This, Not That where I spoke of a drive around the island (The Road to Kahakuloa) that rivals the famous Road to Hana drive. If this is your first trip to Maui please do both. I cannot choose one for you. Read my post and decide. But I will say, the Road to Hana is more famous. Full of the endless narrow, windy roads that end up at the gravesite of Charles Lindbergh (I know that sounds morbid, but it is an awesome drive.)
Three words: Black. Sand. Beach.
BUT–on the Road to Kahakuloa you see this:

And this:

7. See a Volcano. Drive to the top to watch the sunrise (bring a jacket–the temps may be in the 70′s at sea level but are freezing at the top) and hike around or later, get a tour that takes you to the top and then supplies all you need to mountain bike down. Either way, looking into the crater and knowing that this is an active (although quiet as of late) volcano is awesome. Another great thing— animals considered endangered that are found no where else on the planet are protected here.

the Crater

8. Repeat #1.

Trip Advisor, an essential website for any traveler regardless of your destination, just put out their “Top 25″ list for different regions of the World listing the locations where people say they want to go.

There are some obvious ones like Banff. Banff was voted #1 for Canada and if you haven’t been to Banff stop everything (after you finish reading this post) and book a trip there. Soon. Winter or summer–it doesn’t matter. There were also some interesting choices… Machu Picchu got #3 on the World list below Cape Town and Sydney? Hmmm, yeah… I’m not sure.

Me and Banff

Of course, I have an opinion on all of the rankings, but thats the point — opinon is what generated this survey. Here I choose to focus on the United States top 25 and rate them based on MY opinion.

Trip Advisor’s #1: New York City
Diana’s #1: New York City

NYC over the Hudson

No argument here. I am biased and if you don’t know of my love of this city please refer to my archives or at seenyc.com, the NYC travel site I write for. I love this city. Anything you want to do, want to see, want to eat, want to BE– NYC is the place. THE place.

Trip Advisor #2: Honolulu, Hawaii
Trip Advisor #3: San Francisco
Trip Advisor #4 Las Vegas
Trip Advisor #5 Lahaina, Hawaii (Maui)

Maui

Spoiler alert: Hawaii appears often in this top 25 list, but personally I would have put Lahaina at #2 behind NYC. Honolulu is nice, but the island of Maui offers less tourism and just as much to do.

I’d also put San Fran above Honolulu. What a fab city SF is and if you catch it on a sunny day as I did this past April, you’d be hard pressed finding another city that can beat the vibe SF gives.

Las Vegas. Well, for me, Vegas would be near the end of the list–if it even made the list. I do think everyone needs to see Vegas once, but there are so many cities in this country that deserve a much more serious look than Vegas.

Trip Advisor #6 Kona, HI
Trip Advisor #7 New Orleans
Trip Advisor # 8 San Diego, CA
Trip Advisor #9 Sedona

Wait — stop right there. I am ok with New Orleans being on the list and even in the top 10, and San Diego–I LOVE the La Jolla neighborhood, but for Sedona to rank lower… I’m not sure about that. Maybe its because I recently spent some time in Sedona and perhaps the beauty still has me hypnotized, but this eccentric town with the captivating scenery is easily in my top 5.

Sedona, AZ

Trip Advisor #10 Seattle
Trip Advisor #11 Anchorage, AK
Trip Advisor #12 Chicago
Trip Advisor #13 Boston

Being a Seattle native I can appreciate the beautiful mountains, the surrounding water and abundant supply of fleece jackets, but I still wonder: “Why do people vacation in Seattle?” The weather is TOO unpredictable and the sights to see can be done in a weekend. IF you have a desire to go to the Seattle area, stay for an afternoon and then head to Vancouver, BC. Trust me.

I am ok with the other 3 being in the top 25. Boston though—should be much higher. The history and walkability of the town is addicting.

Trip Advisor #14 Estes Park, CO
Trip Advisor #15 Washington DC
Trip Advisor #16 Poipu, HI (see—I told you Hawaii was on here a lot)
Trip Advisor #17 Orlando, FL

As we get to the bottom half of the list I think the locations are reaching to be part of the top 25 (I am surprised Portland, Or; Santa Cruz, Ca or Boise, Idaho aren’t on the list).

Colorado is great regardless of the city and I think I would have chosen Boulder for the top 25, but Estes Park is only an hour away and with 345+ sunny days a year how can you NOT want to live visit there? Ski, hike, shop, swim. Colorado is like Seattle, but less natural water and MUCH more sun.

Washington DC is great. History is #1 here but if you escape to the Georgetown area you really get a taste of DC–and in a good way.

Lincoln Memorial in DC

Orlando.
Apparently the top 25 for Trip Advisor was voted on by parents. Yes, Orlando is fun and I say that as a non-parent. But it is all Disney and while Disney is fun, Orlando IS Disney and that only goes so far.

Trip Advisor # 18 Big Sur, CA
Trip Advisor #19 Bar Harbor, Maine
Trip Advisor #20 Carmel, CA
Trip Advisor #21 Destin, FL

Two in California and Destin is a great getaway. My brother and sister-in-law in Dallas love the driving distance and white sand beaches–so I can see why Destin made the list. And Maine is neat. Just neat. Bar Harbor has been a top vacation spot since the 19th century.

Trip Advisor #22 Savannah, GA
Trip Advisor #23 Gatlinburg, TN
Trip Advisor #24 Miami Beach, FL
Trip Advisor #25 Myrtle Beach, SC

I was happy to see the South represented in the top 25. Savannah and Gatlinburg are NOT to be missed. Here you can get a taste of the real south. Grits anyone?
Miami Beach and Myrtle Beach are known more for their name than the place/experiences, but nonetheless, they do belong in the top 25. You can’t really go wrong with any city that has “beach” in the name.

Whether you agree or not with my comments, below is my ranking of the top 25 (using only cities on Trip Advisor’s top 25).
Let it be known that there are some major cities missing that would be on my Top 25–some I mentioned above but others are Austin, TX, Missoula, MT, Princeton, NJ and Key West.

Diana’s Top 25
1. New York City
2. Lahaina, HI
3. San Francisco
4. Sedona, AZ
5. New Orleans, LA

6. Boston, MA
7. Chicago, IL
8. San Diego, CA
9. Washington DC
10. Honolulu, HI

11. Savannah, GA
12. Estes Park, CO
13. Poipu, HI
14. Kona, HI
15. Big Sur, CA

16. Anchorage, AK
17. Bar Harbor, Maine
18. Destin, FL
19. Carmel, CA
20. Gatlinburg, TN

21. Miami Beach, FL
22. Myrtle Beach, SC
23. Seattle, WA
24. Orlando, FL
25. Las Vegas, NV

Tell me — what are your top cities in the US? Where am I wrong? Where am I right?

The popular weight loss book “Eat This, Not That” showcases two different meal choices detailing calories, carbs, fat, sugars etc for each choice.
Usually, one dish may be more well known or look more appetizing, but that dish usually ends up being more fattening and just as tasty as the less known, healthier dish.

While I was in Atlanta recently, I had only a short amount of time to roam the city but there were so many things I wanted to see. That got me thinking–when traveling on a time schedule (and/or on a budget), one can’t possibly see all hot spots in one location or even if there is the time, who wants to only see more appetizing the popular fattening crowded sights?

So, I decided to start a semi-regular series here on Travel. Write. Repeat. called “See This, Not That”. Unlike the diet book, both dishes spots I profile in each city are worth eating seeing, but if time or money is a factor, try following my suggestions to see this and not that.

*Please email me or leave your comments and ideas on other See This, Not That spot ideas so I can check them out and feature them here (and of course, give you credit).

For the first entry in this series I have decided to feature my hometown of Seattle, Washington.
Seattle, surrounded by water and mountains, is wonderful city to visit and while it does rain-quite a lot-it is not a rain that ruins plans (unless you are planning on going camping or doing anything outside on the 4th of July… but I digress…)

With so many things to see in the general vicinity, if time is not an issue, I would say to get outside of the city to check out Mt Rainier, take a ferry to the San Juan Islands or walk about any of the quaint neighborhoods within Seattle (i.e., Ballard). But, if time and money are short, you MUST see something Seattle is famous for, so…

See This: EMP
Not That: the Space Needle

The Experience Music Project (“EMP”) (which also features a Science Fiction Museum) is nearly next door to the Space Needle but it definitely holds its own in this much visited neighborhood. The building, that at first was an unwelcome eyesore to the Seattle skyline (from the outside, it looks sortof like a heart–the actual organ in a body), is now a colorful, recognizable symbol of Seattle and with an admission price of just $15, it is one that is not to be missed.

EMP on a cloudy Seattle day with the base of the Space Needle in the background

EMP, as their website states, is “dedicated to the exploration of creativity and innovation in popular music. By blending interpretative, interactive exhibitions with cutting-edge technology, EMP captures and reflects the essence of rock ‘n’ roll, its roots in jazz, soul, gospel, country and the blues, as well as rock’s influence on hip-hop, punk and other recent genres”.

Rare memorabilia (hand written lyrics, instruments and clothing once owned by music legends) and a giant floor to ceiling guitar cyclone that, bragging tidbit here, I, the author helped fabricate while working at a design studio in the ’90′s when EMP was being built.

Part of the guitar cyclone
photo courtesy here

At EMP visitors can view rare artifacts and memorabilia and experience the entire process from beginning to end on what it takes and is to be a musician.

Many exhibits are featured permanently but traveling exhibits come through as well.

Famous local boy Jimi Hendrix is a proud feature. Artifacts from his early days in Seattle to his more famous gigs in New York City and beyond as well as vintage films and interviews of Hendrix can be seen up close and give vision to his personal side. An immense guitar wall displays Hendrix’s Woodstock Fender and visitors can witness an interactive sound system demonstration showing how Hendrix used effects pedals to modify the guitar into a more complex instrument.

In April of this year Nirvana, perhaps the most famous band to come out of the grunge age, will be showcased.
Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses will run for 2 years and while many of the pieces are part of the permanent collection, the website hints at these other rare pieces that will also be on display:

-The reel-to-reel tape machine owned by Kurt Cobain’s aunt, on which a young Kurt Cobain recorded material for his early bands
-Cobain’s handwritten lyrics for many Nirvana songs
-Numerous instruments, including pieces of the first guitar Cobain destroyed onstage;
-Dave Grohl’s drum kit; and Krist Novoselic’s bass guitar used during the recording of “MTV Unplugged.”
-Cobain’s often worn yellow cardigan
-Candid snapshots capturing the band’s early years, from their beginnings in Aberdeen, Washington to the media frenzy that erupted after Nevermind and interactives that will allow guests to dive deeper into the history of the band as well as allow guests to make their own mark by including their own personal stories.

Much money (billionaire Paul Allen is the mastermind behind EMP) and time went into creating and re-creating EMP to make it one of the top music museums in the country; it is a must see while in Seattle.

The Space Needle

One of the most recognizable structures in the world, the Space Needle is Seattle’s most well known and visited spot. If you have the time (lines are long in the spring and summer), the money (admission fee to go to the top is $18) and it’s a sunny day, the Needle can be a great experience. On a clear day the views are fabulous: snow capped mountains, evergreens, crystal blue waters and the hip city and beyond are breathtaking. If it isn’t sunny— the view is still there, somewhat, but it isn’t nearly as grand. The rotating restaurant also has the view (ask for a table at the window, not an inside booth) but be prepared to spend a pretty penny to get average to less than average food: it is clear that the view is built into the price.

Regardless of which spot you choose— enjoy your time in Seattle. Try and stop at Pikes Place Market for a coffee at the first ever Starbucks (walking distance from both EMP and the Needle) and buy at fleece or two before climbing the largest indoor rock wall in the US at the flagship REI store.

REI flagship store

I have the benefit of having a great relationship with both of my siblings. My sister, two years younger than I, stays busy as the mother of two young children and my brother Grant, four years younger than me, is single and back a few years ago when we were both single and more crazy carefree, we would take weekend trips together out of our hometown of Seattle. We camped the woods in Eastern Washington (where he, when setting up our tents, suffered massive mosquito bites in that spot on your back that shows when your pants ride down a little and your coat rides up); we sang the Rice-a-Roni song as we rode the trolly to eat the best kung pow chicken EVER in San Francisco’s Chinatown and medicated our upset stomachs with salt water taffy on the beaches of Santa Cruz after riding the oldest wooden roller-coaster in the US; we hiked deep into the back country of Lake Tahoe sleeping on .99 cent pool floaties and keeping an eye out for bears that were especially thick that year. There were other trips too and all were awesome in their own way, but the trip that tops the list was when we went to Palm Springs, CA–but not for the reasons you may think.

Palm Springs, is in the desert of California and known for its super hot temperatures (in the summer it can get to 120), multiple golf courses and tons of resorts with pools bigger than many of the hotel rooms. Grant, through a frequent flier miles program he belonged to, had a 4 day hotel stay at a 5 star resort in the Palm Desert area. We were so there.

The resort was crazy nice. I cannot, to this day, believe the layout of the pool area. The outdoor bars that kept us laughing about old times late into the night and the trails surrounding the golf course that I ran each morning before the delectable breakfast buffet became second nature in just a day’s time and I dreaded the thought of leaving. Thinking we were cool in our brand new rental orange Jeep convertible we put on our tropical attire and headed to Tommy Bahama’s restaurant in downtown Palm Springs. I don’t have enough hands to count the Bentleys and Maseratis I saw — the main avenue was the kind of place that would rival Rodeo Drive or Champ Elysees in Paris and in other words, a place where an orange Jeep didn’t really fit in. Dinner was fabulous though and the energy from large amounts of money undoubtably changing hands the high end shops was contagious–almost enough to make me want to buy one of those hand stitched handbags that cost more than my rent.

As nice as it was to see sun, it was hot there–so hot. Living in Seattle resulted in us being waterlogged and having low Vitamin D deficiency so the idea of hot temperatures to dry us out were appealing but on our third day it hit 125 and that was a bit oppressive; even the pool couldn’t offer relief. We decided to head up the highway to see what we could find (the excuse I gave to my brother to get us to the rumored outlet stores I had heard about).

About 45 minutes down the highway we witnessed the thing that we knew would be the highlight of our trip–a memory we’d fondly recall and retell in the years to come. “The resort, my awesome tan, downtown Palm Desert — even deals I may find at the outlets are not going to be what we remember most about this trip” (this was an actual quote from me to my brother). “Instead” , I continued epically, “we’ll remember the dinosaurs“.

These Cabazon Dinosaurs are actually part of a rest stop/gas station and they stick out like, well, like dinosaurs in the middle of the desert. You may have seen them before in the classic film ‘Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure’ when Pee-Wee hid out in them. They were built over 30 years ago and reportedly get 12 million visitors a year!

The T-Rex has a museum inside and you can be like Pee-Wee and hang out in the mouth and look out through the teeth. The Brontosaurus has a gift shop inside but sadly–no Pee-Wee memorabilia (WHAT?) They are seriously missing out on some FOR SURE t-shirt sales…

We didn’t stay for long, just long enough to take some photos, quote some lines from Pee-Wee and marvel at the fact that we actually saw this iconic spot from the highway. It was so cool — even cooler than the sweet deals I got at the North Face outlet.

Travel Tuesday is upon us again and this time I am taking us to the Oregon Coast; Cannon Beach to be exact.
This beach town is quiet and quaint with eccentric art and glass blowing galleries, surf shops and an extremely walkable beach, especially when the tide is out.

The Pacific Ocean is cold though — not much swimming goes on here, even on warm days, but its hard to resist wading in and looking for the many starfish and sand dollars.

Seaside and Astoria are nearby towns that cannot be missed if traveling the Oregon Coast. Seaside has the arcade games, the rides and tourist shops that don’t quite fit the higher end theme Cannon Beach represents. Astoria is a logging town, very blue collar, but touristy in its own right as it is where much of the movie Goonies was filmed.

Cannon Beach is recognized instantly by images of the picture I am attaching: Haystack Rock.
In the old days you could climb on it, or even in it when the tide was way out. Now climbing is prohibited but just getting close to the rock is an experience not easy to duplicate.

With Spring officially here and the snow finally melted, I’m ready to get outside! Lets hike!

Growing up in the Pacific North West, it was hard NOT to hike. The outdoor co-op company REI has it’s headquarters in Seattle, the mountain ranges are populated with gorgeous waterfalls, canopied by enormous evergreen trees and thick with rain forests and mountain lakes–some not yet reached by humans. The year-round moderate temperatures in the area allow for enjoyable hiking in every season (just be prepared to spend some money on the Gortex gear as it does rain; a lot.).

Seattle with Rainier in the background flickr: jim914109

University of Washington with mountains at sunset.

In Seattle, where I lived, one can look in every direction (on a clear day of course), and see snow capped mountains encircling the entire city with the gem of the state, the highest elevation point in Washington towering above all the rest: Mt Rainier–nearly 15K feet at the summit. While impossible to hike to the top of Rainier causally as much planning is required due to the conditions and elevation gain– it is not uncommon to go on a day hike in and around Rainier or in other areas just outside of Seattle and reach an elevation gain of 4000 to 5000 ft. Aside from Rainier National Park there are dozens of other hiking spots that are easily climbed in just a few hours including the still active Volcano Mt. St. Helens and one of my favorite spots, Mt. Si which tops out at 4166 ft and is 8 miles round trip.

Mt Rainier flickr: pjink11

Oregon and Vancouver BC make up the rest of the NW and also have their share of hike destinations including Mt. Hood and Crater Lake just outside of Portland, Or and endless trails in Whistler BC –a couple hours drive from Vancouver. Both Ski resorts in the Winter, Whistler and Mt Hood boast nearly as many visitors in the summer for hiking and mountain biking as they do in the Winter due to their reputation for reliably sunny skies and accommodating village environment with lodging, restaurants and nightlife .

Crater Lake

Mt Hood

Whistler

In contrast–here in my new state of New York–the highest point is Mt. Marcy in the Adirondack Mountain Range at 5134 ft. The Adirondacks, in the NE part of New York, boast many lakes and hiking trails, was the nation’s first preserved wilderness and the closest distance for Manhattanites escape the concrete forest and experience the “real” outdoors.

Lake George is one of the highlights in the Adirondacks (popular not just for hiking but also fishing and swimming) and other spots I’ve had the time to discover in the area are Lake Placid, home of the 1980 Winter Olympics and Stowe, VT.

Stowe too is a ski mecca in the winter but caters to the spring and summer crowd with Gondola rides to the tops of the peaks and well kept trails with names like Hogback Mountain and Emily’s Bridge to bring you down.

Stowe, VT

While the elevation gain of these North East locations cannot be compared to the West Coast, one benefit out East is traveling far distances is not required to find hiking opportunities in many different states. The states in the NE are much smaller in size and are in closer proximity to each other than are the states out West, so East Coast hikers generally hike different spots more often.

For example, driving from New Jersey to Vermont takes about 4 hours, but the different routes and states traveled during that drive all have varying trails and scenery (not to mention historical and cultural landmarks). The same time span traveled in the West Coast may get you to the edge of a bordering state, but likely you will still be within the same state you started in.

So which area has better hiking? West or East? Of course it is based on personal preference. If elevation gain is your thing and you don’t mind a little soggy hiking, head West. If covering more area quicker without sacrificing beauty is more appealing–come out East. Either way– go, hike!

the author, hiking Whistler, BC

For more information on any of the trails or locations mentioned, please leave a comment and I will get back to you!

All pictures by diana ellefson except where mentioned.