May 20, 2012

Why Goonies Fans Need to Visit Astoria, OR

Goonies fans from all over the world make the pilgrimage to Astoria, Oregon to see where their favorite childhood movie was filmed.  For many children of the 80s, this blockbuster hit is branded in their memory bank.  For example, if a Goonies fan sees a Baby Ruth in the checkout line he will immediately think of the character Sloth.  Or if you even mention the “Truffle Shuffle” a Goonies fan will demonstrate.  So here are a few places fans can go to re-live all their favorite moments from The Goonies.

1: The Goonies house. This is just off US-30 on your way into Astoria at 368 38th St.

2: The Flavel House Museum. This is where Mikey and Brand’s dad worked. 441 8th St.

3: Clatsop County Jail.  Where Jake Fratelli broke out of jail. 732 Duane St.

4: Lower Columbia Bowl. Where Chunk saw the police chase the Fratelli’s. 826 Marine Dr.

5: Ecola State Park (25 miles South of Astoria). View from when the Goonies lined up the Debloom in search for One Eyed Willy’s treasure.

6: Ecola State Park 2. The hill where the Lighthouse Lounge was edited in to match up with the Debloom.

7: Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach.  This was part of the Debloom puzzle.  They added it in the background with the restaurant and the lighthouse.

Astoria has more to offer than Goonies site-seeing.  There are great restaurants and museums you can check out during your visit.  The Rogue Brewery serves up delicious brews including one of my favorites; Hazelnut Brown Nectar.

Posted by on May 20, 2012 in All adVentures, Pacific Northwest and tagged , , , , , , , .

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May 10, 2012

Sunrise above Lanikai, Hawaii

Sunrise or sunset, which do you prefer?  While sunsets are beautiful and romantic, sunrises are more private and you usually have to work hard to catch a good one.  One of my favorite places to watch a sunrise is from above Lanikai beach in Hawaii.

There is a short hike called the Ka`iwa Ridge Trail up to a couple WWII era bunkers.  This is a popular and crowded hike during the day, although fewer hikers make the trek up for sunrise. A couple times Josh and I have been the only ones on the trail.  We lucked out once by finding a nightblooming cerus.  These flowers are rare and are said to bloom only once a year.  Josh captured the moment to create my favorite sunrise picture below.

The bunkers, also known as pillboxes, overlook the beach and the Mokulua Islands.  In the opposite direction are views of the sharp cliffs of the Ko`olau Mountains.  It’s an amazing site and even more breathtaking at sunrise!

If you want to check out this hike in Hawaii, drive to Kailua and park next to the Mid-Pacific Country Club on Kaelepulu Drive.  The trailhead will be across the street.  Click here to learn more.

Posted by on May 10, 2012 in All adVentures, Hawaii and tagged , , , , , , , .

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April 21, 2012

Happy 50th Space Needle!

Fifty years ago the Space Needle opened it’s doors to the public at the 1962 Worlds Fair.  When it first opened the cap was painted Galaxy Gold.  Recently they started painting it that color again.  I went up to Kerry Park in the Queen Anne neighborhood for a good view of the Needle.  This Galaxy Gold looks orange to me, but I guess it’s a retro color and was popular back in the 60’s.

The crew at the Seattle Center have been busy preparing for the “Next Fifty” events celebrating the 50th Anniversary.  There is plenty planned between now and October 21st 2012.  You can kick of the festivities with a $1 ride to the top of the Needle.  That’s the price for a ride back in 1962.

Have you been to the Space Needle?  I’d love to hear what you thought when you first saw it.  Can you imagine what it must have been like fifty years ago?

Posted by on April 21, 2012 in All adVentures, Pacific Northwest and tagged , , , .

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April 17, 2012

Running the Whidbey Island Half Marathon

Crisp, fresh air surged through my lungs as I maintained control of my breathing 6 miles into the Whidbey Island Half Marathon.  The spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains were a wonderful distraction for the two mile stretch along Pioneer Way.  I was in the groove and running at a good pace.  Bald Eagles soared above the trees.  Gentle waves crashed onshore a few yards from the route.  The slight breeze was enough to keep me cool as I ran on.  Mentally and physically I was still focused on this half of the race yet I was ready to move on to the next half.

I chose the Whidbey Island Half Marathon because I’ve heard from many people who say it is a beautiful course.  In 2010 it was listed in Lonely Planet’s Top Ten Places to Run a Marathon.  The weather was perfect for race day and from what I hear much nicer than the windy, rainy weather they had in 2011.

I charged on as the miles continued to melt away.  Then the mile 12 marker came into view.  I picked up my pace.  A little over a mile left.  That is nothing compared to what I’ve just completed.  I could feel the finish line getting closer.  I turned the corner into Windjammer Park and sprinted into the finish line with a time of 1:57:24, beating my time from last year.  Relief rushed over me.  My feet and calves were burning yet I felt amazing.

I’ve run several long distance races before; marathons and half marathons and this one will be remembered as one of my favorites.  I placed pretty well too.  I made it in the top 15% of all women finishers.  My race number was 1717 and I placed 17th out of 136 women 30-34 years of age. I guess 17 is my new lucky number!

Posted by on April 17, 2012 in All adVentures, Pacific Northwest and tagged , , , , , .

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April 5, 2012

Loop Around Lake Union, Seattle

Spring in Seattle for me is a reminder to get back in running shape.  I love long distance races and my next one is a half-marathon on Whidbey Island.  One of my favorite training routes is the Chesiahud Loop around Lake Union.  This 6 mile route wraps around the lake and takes me through multiple neighborhoods.  I normally start my run at the South Lake Union Park and head towards Eastlake.  It only takes me a few minutes to warm up and a good song to get in the groove.

The delightful aromas from many restaurants I pass are enough to tempt me to stop.  Thai, Mexican, Italian and more.  I push through the temptation and make an internal deal to reward myself with a savory meal when I’m done.  The University Bridge is the first of two bridges I cross on this loop.  I pick up the pace when I see it to make sure I pass over before the drawbridge goes up.  If I’m too late I’ll have to wait about 10 minutes which stalls my running pace.

On the other side I connect with the Burke Gilman trail and follow it by Gas Works Park.  Sometimes I detour through the park to watch seaplanes and dodge people flying kites.  It keeps the run interesting.  I then barely run by Wallingford before getting to Fremont (aka The Center of the Universe.)  This hip yet weird neighborhood always entertains with colorful characters.

The next drawbridge I come across is the Fremont Bridge and I speed up again hoping to beat the sailboat waiting to pass through.  I leave the Burke Gilman trail and continue on the Chesiahud Loop.  The Westlake neighborhood is next as I run by houseboat communities.  I often wonder what it would be like to live in one.  I consistently see a “Houseboat For Rent” sign and file it in my mind to research later, yet never do.  As I near the end of my run around the lake I pass luxurious yachts with astronomical price tags.

Once I finish the loop my legs and lungs are exhausted yet energized.  I ride the “runners high” while I stretch.  Now, I feel more confident and ready for my next race.

Posted by on April 5, 2012 in All adVentures, Pacific Northwest and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , .

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March 28, 2012

Searching for Bliss on Caladesi Island, FL

Finding an uncrowded beach during Spring Break in Florida is a tough feat unless you visit Caladesi Island north of Tampa.  The only ways onto the island are by ferry or personal watercraft.  On a busy day the ferry can bring about 400 people to the island. Since it has 3 miles of a white sandy beach, there is plenty of space to find a relaxing spot to soak in the sun.

We went to Caladesi Island for my mother’s birthday.  She loves searching for seashells at the beach and this island was abundant with them.  The calm and crystal blue waters made it easy for us to find some keepers.  A pod of dolphins swam by a few hundred feet away.  It was a perfect day at the beach and my mom walked away with a bag full of shells.

Caladesi Island State Park has a nature trail to explore and kayak rentals available for cruising through the mangroves.  It can be a little expensive getting to the island.  Parking a vehicle for more than one person on Honeymoon Island is $8 and the round trip ferry ride is $14 per adult.  It was well worth it on a day like this.

looking out to the Gulf of Mexico

Posted by on March 28, 2012 in All adVentures, East Coast and tagged , , , , , , .

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March 6, 2012

Finding Beauty in Low Places: Death Valley National Park

Panamint Mountain Range

Loud crunching sounds came from under my feet as I wandered in awe at the Badwater Basin salt flats in Death Valley National Park.  The clear blue skies created a unique contrast with the sharp peaks of the Panamint Mountains and bright white salt landscape that can be seen for miles. This is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level.  The park actually has a sign up at sea level so visitors can put the elevation into perspective.  282 feet!  It’s dangerous to scuba dive that deep without proper training.  Yet here we were taking deep breaths and enjoying the beauty that surrounded us.

Josh and I visited in the winter when the heat is less extreme.  We spent hours out on the salt flats taking pictures and getting creative with our camera.  You can see my profile picture is one of many attempts to capture the fun.  Here’s another:

After exploring the Badwater salt flats, we headed up to the Devil’s Golf Course, Artists Palatte and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.  The day flew by and we were exhausted.  The park is too big to see it all in one day.

Devils Golf Course

Artists Palette

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

Posted by on March 6, 2012 in All adVentures, California, Southwest and tagged , , , , .

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February 26, 2012

Fresh Powder on Crystal Mountain

image

As fresh snow fell on Crystal Mountain Ski Resort, many smiling faces buzzed around the base eager to hit the slopes.
Josh and I spent the last couple days at the resort and got some excellent runs in.  I’m a beginner skier and Josh snowboarded this weekend.  I took my time going down the trails making lots of wide turns.  The weather was perfect today. The sun came out and revealed all the fresh powdery slopes.
At the end of the day we took the gondola up to the summit for a late lunch and drinks. My legs are sore and feel like jelly, but it was worth it!

Posted by on February 26, 2012 in All adVentures, Pacific Northwest and tagged , , , , , , .

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