Summer Guide 2011: the Water Issue
Like the mountains that frame our city, water gives Seattle its identity. Life here is a life aquati
By Kristen Russell, Roddy Sheer, Michelle Lafrance, Nick O'Connell with Cayla Lambier, Sarai Dominguez and Jana Moseley July 19, 2011
This article originally appeared in the August 2011 issue of Seattle magazine.
From the briny smell of Elliott Bay wafting over downtown to the sight of sunlight sparkling on Lake Washington during a summer morning commute; from the lapping sound of waves against docks and kayaks to the taste of our drinking water—some of the purest in the world. And—we’ll say it—the feeling of warm rain splattering down our necks during an unexpected drizzle. (Then again, is any Seattle drizzle truly unexpected?) Water draws us together in fun—and in water-logged, ruined-picnic shared misery. But we know that what comes down on our heads also comes down on our lakes, rivers and streams, creating watersheds, unparalleled natural beauty and seemingly endless options for play.
Whether your preferred water spot is a remote or urban lake, a glacier-fed river or the Pacific Ocean, here is your guide to playing in, living on, eating from and celebrating Seattle’s abundant liquid assets.
Lakes
Puget Sound
Pacific Ocean
Rivers
Eat from the Sea
Creatures of the Deep
Owning a Boat
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Victoria, B.C.: A European-Inspired Getaway in Seattle’s Backyard
With gas prices soaring and flights canceled, a little Old World charm is just a boat ride away.
Skip the airport chaos and discover Victoria, B.C., a European-inspired getaway right in Seattle’s backyard. Explore castles, historic pubs, and high tea.
Every Day Is the Weekend in Carlsbad, California
Seven miles of shoreline and a come-as-you-are pace make this coastal city north of San Diego an easy escape.
It was the first night, first dinner, and our server arrived with the calm authority of a man who loves his job. He set down the ceviche and surveyed the room, with locals at every table and the ocean just blocks away, and said it like he was reporting the weather: “Every day is the…
Whitefish Has Range
James Beard-caliber dining, a thriving literary journal, and a bike ride along Glacier’s famous Going-to-the-Sun Road make this old Western Montana railroad town feel bigger than expected.
The first thing we notice at Herb & Omni is the room itself. Dark-beamed ceilings. Gilded mirrors clustered salon-style across the walls. Pendant lights that belong in a Milanese townhouse. The space feels warm, ornate, and transportive. Even the cocktail menu suggests expectations are about to be rearranged. Then the food arrives. A potato chip…
Summer Getaway: The Quiet Side of Jamaica
Perched above the sands of the island’s South Coast, Bluefields Bay is an idyllic destination that feels refreshingly off the beaten path.
Escape to Bluefields Bay Villas on Jamaica’s quiet South Coast. Discover an off-the-beaten-path luxury resort with private pools and personal chefs.