Posts Tagged ‘rei’

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

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.