Author Archives: scottluria

Toledo, Washington to Saint Helens, Oregon. Sunday, May 5, 2024 Or maybe I should title this post Stinko de Mayo. My clothes were all dry after hanging by the space heater overnight, and seemed remarkably odor-free. But then I was reminded of that Febreze commercial, where everybody but the reeker notices the reek. But no,Continue reading “Sinko de Mayo”

Eatonville to Toledo, Washington Saturday, May 4, 2024. I was thinking more about mountains that were named for people that never saw them. George Washington never saw Mount Washington in New Hampshire, which was called Agiocochook by the native peoples. The very first entries in this blog where about the beginning of my journey toContinue reading “Nutty George”

Eatonville to Paradise and back. Thursday to Friday May 2-3, 2024. Mount Rainier, it turns out, was named by Captain Vancouver, the first to explore Puget Sound, in honor of his friend Peter Rainier, a British rear admiral who fought against the Americans in the revolution. He never saw the mountain. Just like William McKinleyContinue reading “Paradise”

Sumner to Eatonville, Washington. Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Not to put too fine a point on it, but there are three levels of weird here. First of all, highpointing is peculiar, there’s no getting around it. You can see wanting to get to the big mountains, but come on—Florida? Delaware? That funny one in ConnecticutContinue reading “I am not throwing away my shot”

Seattle to Sumner, Washington. Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Catholics have St. Peters. Turks have the Hagia Sophia. Christian Scientists have the Mother Church in Boston. I have the REI flagship store in Seattle. An outdoor store so huge and comprehensive, I never visit Seattle without making a pilgrimage. No picture can do it justice. IContinue reading “Temples of worship”

Seattle, Washington. Monday, April 29, 2024 This was one of those days that was so delightful, so full of fun, that there’s not much time to blog about it. After a great breakfast and more conversation with Bob and Carolyn, it was just a quick ride over to Annie‘s house. I lived with Annie forContinue reading “Too special for words”

Marysville to Seattle, Washington. Sunday, April 28, 2024 I can’t think of Seattle without this song coming to mind. It was the theme song for the short-lived series Here Come the Brides starring the teeny bopper heartthrob Bobby Sherman. My sisters, tweens at the time, couldn’t get enough of him, or the show. Seattle. TheContinue reading “The bluest skies you’ve ever seen in Seattle”

Bellingham to Marysville, Washington. Saturday, April 27, 2024 Or maybe I should say water zero. Part of this little conceit I have about the highpoints is that I want to start from sea level. So whenever I begin a new leg, I have to “zero out” at an ocean or some place contiguous with one.Continue reading “Ground zero”

Vancouver to Bellingham, Washington. Friday, April 26, 2024 It’s Blanche DuBois all over again. Many times in this blog I have noted the kindness of strangers, always amazed that people you’ve never met are willing to bend over backwards for you. Today was no exception. Chris Xie is the owner of the lovely B&B whereContinue reading “The kindness of strangers”

Still in Vancouver Thursday, April 25, 2024 Well, that was foolish. Daring the punishers to keep bringing it on. FedEx has a tracking number status page, updating you on progress towards delivery. As the morning began, things looked set: the package with my crank was in Vancouver, still expected to be delivered by noon. AsContinue reading “Crank calls”