Snowshoeing begins

     This is one of my favorite times of the year!  One could say that it is the most wonderful time of the year...hmmm, why does that sound familiar.  Anyway, it is a great time of year.  This is when everyone starts anticipating all of the winter activities.  Most people do concentrate on skiing and snowboarding, however, my knees don't really care for that all to much.  No, for me, it is all about snowshoeing.  The great thing about snowshoeing is that it is basically an extension of the hiking season, and boy do I like to hike.

     Today was pretty much the beginning of the snowshoe season for me.  With all of the snow recently it was a given that I was going to go sooner rather than later.  I'm glad it was sooner.  We went up to Paradise, at Mount Rainier National Park, as we figured it was going to have the most snow.  There was about 5-6 feet of snow up there today with clear skies and temperatures around 35 degrees.  It was absolutely a perfect day to snowshoe.  I actually got really hot up there today.  So much so that I was actually seeking some shade, not that there was much, but I did find it of course.

     When we got up there we were actually greeted by the parks finest.

    The snow was almost too blinding, almost!

     And some fresh tracks!

     It was such a great day to get up to Mount Rainier!  The winter is just as good as the summer but with less people.  I love it.

Tiger Mountain

     People say that one of the aspects that they least like about the Northwest is of course the weather.  True it does provide challenges in choosing outdoor activities, or does it.  It is more like an opportunity to see and experience our great region in ways others might be afraid of. 

     A trip to Tiger Mountain was in order this past weekend as it had been quite sometime since I had been there.  My Dad and I used to go there on occasion to go hiking or mountain biking, of course the weather was always nice when we went.  Dad isn't that hardcore.  It might be one of the last places mountain bikers are allowed, but don't quote me on this.  Regardless of the weather, we were going.

     It was a dark stormy night... oh wait, that's someone Else's work.  It was cloudy, cold, and windy with the summit obscured in fog.  If that isn't inviting, then what is.  We walked up the logging road the whole time as to not cause any trail damage due to the off season weather.  While walking up the road, and by up I mean climbing, there appeared to be some snow on the side of the road.  Upon further inspection I think it was left over hail.  Still, it felt like it could have snowed.

     One thing about hiking in the Pacific Northwest fall weather is that you pretty much have the trail to yourselves.  Everyone goes hiking in the summer so that they can come across incredible vistas, not that there is anything wrong with that, but sometimes it's great to walk into the fog and just listen to the landscape.  At times it became a little erie.  I loved that actually!

     I'm not sure how far we got as the path was somewhat obscured so we turned around and headed back. 

     After all, this was a road less traveled.

   
   

Vashon Island

     I love when we have nice Autumn days because heaven knows we don't have them very often.  So when we do have them we have to get out and take advantage of the sun.   Today's adventure was only about 2.5 miles away, but it took about twenty miles to get there. We went to Point Robinson on Maury Island. Maury Island is in fact a peninsula on Vashon Island. 

     So let's start our trip. 

     We started the day with breakfast as it is the most important meal of the day.  Today's breakfast was provided by the capable hands of Circa in West Seattle.  I have written about them before and let me tell you, their breakfast is just as good as their dinners.  We ordered the "Slacker".  I know what you're thinking and you can just stop right now.  Anyway, it was a scramble with enchilada sauce and cheese and tortilla chips.  Of course a good heaping pile of hash browns accompany this so you do get full.  All of this then washed down with Stumptown Coffee.  Is it breakfast time again?

     After we drove to the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal and waited for about 45 minutes.  We took the boat over to Vashon Island and headed to Point Robinson.  Can I say I am just a little envious of the Island dwellers.  It was such a beautiful drive through out all of the island.  Then I saw the $4.47/gallon of gas.  I guess I'm OK where I'm at.  Anyway, we got to Point Robinson and walked down to the shore where we could see our house.

     Take my word for it, our place is over there.

     What a great day to walk along the beach today.  The sun was shining, there was a light house and you could see Mount Rainier! 

     Driving on the Island is so relaxing and enjoyable, I want to go over there again soon. Between the Autumn colors, water and mountain views and visiting a local winery like Palouse Winery, it's a wonder why more people don't visit Vashon Island.


   

Revel

     So everyone knows by know how much I love food.  Those who know me and who have spent any amount of time around me knows that I have a voracious appetite.  I have not always put this appetite to good use, but within  the past couple of years I have made it an goal to challenge my palate rather than just fill up the tank as it were.  I, in large part, have Kieko to thank for this.  She has done an amazing job in training my palate and to recognize good flavors and to really appreciate food.

     One of the reasons I started this blog was of course to right about places I've eaten and food I have made.  Well, Friday night gave me a reason to write.  On that night we went out to eat at Revel.  The brain child of Seattle celebrity chefs Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi (they were on Iron Chef America.)  It is their take on Korean street food served in a fun and lively setting.  I really enjoyed the open kitchen stetting where we could actually watch Seif and the staff do their thang.  Rachel must have been working some where else.(They do have several joints around town.) 

    I ordered the Shrimp noodle bowl with gulf white shrimp, cilantro pistou, and coriander noodles.  All I can say is OMG!  My mouth exploded with flavor from the cilantro in the sauce to the incredibly sweet tomatoes that were served with it.  As strong as the flavors were, they were still very balanced and no one part of the dish over powered the other.  It was also beautiful to look at.  The presentations was so colorful and lively I wanted to take a picture.  Oh wait.. I did.

    
     I mean, how pretty is that. 

     Kieko ordered a rice bowl with beef short rib, sambal daikon, mustard greens with a raw egg placed in the middle to create a very rich hearty meal.  Daikon, by the way, is a type of radish which was then treated very much like kimchee, so it had that spicy, sour, type of flavor.  The beef was cooked perfectly and was very tender.  It was much different flavor from mine but was equal in the pleasure it provided.  This to had a wonderful aesthetic.

     I mean the FLAVORS!!! Out of this world.

     The service was great and because of the the way the dining and kitchen are combined we actually were able to talk with Chef Seif.  He asked "How was everything Sir?"  I just remember thinking, "You're the celebrity chef, I should be calling you sir!"  He was completely unpretentious.  I loved that.

     Revel is also a great value.  Our food came to about $37 which is a pretty good deal for a dining experience this good.  When you get a chance to go, do it.  Your taste buds will forever thank you.

     Now to plan a time to go back so I can try their dumplings.


   

LAMB JAM!!!!!!!

     I have been looking forward to this event for a while now, so when the day came I was ready.  However, first things first. 

     Today ended up being a pretty decent day for Western Washington in late October.  The temp was around 56 degrees and mostly sunny.  We decided to go for a walk in Ed Munro Seahurst Park.  It's right on the water with some fall colors happening.

     Ok, the second one is from our parking lot, but still you got to love the fall colors.  Speaking of which.  Another reason I love Autumn is for the Fall fashions and colors.  I actually make it look good. 

     Yes, I know, I'm letting my vanity get the best of me.  But still, am I wrong? 

     After our walk, we went to downtown Seattle to attend the incomparable Lamb Jam.  We went to this last year and it was great.  It's many different restaurants competing with lamb.  It's truly the American spirit and ingenuity.  Plus it's lamb so it's very good. 

     There are so many different ways to prepare it and using different parts of the lamb, such as the leg, shoulder, loin and shank.  It was so much fun seeing all of the different, creative ideas that all of the chefs displayed.  My favorite presentation was the one by the Bell Harbor Conference Center.  It was like a lamb cone if you will.  It was lamb stuffed into a waffle cone then topped with fig tart and a whipped parsnip crown.



     How much fun is that!  It was also really good.  It was really hard to pick just won favorite, but that was the task we were given.  I eventually chose the Sumac masala lamb shoulder with cauliflower puree, royal pine mushroom and honey crisp apple.  Talk about flavors.

     Another one of my favorites was the lamb sausage.

     Here are some of the other highlights of the Lamb Jam.

     We were so stuffed when we were done we could barely walk to the car.  When we did finally make it to the car we came home.  I just had to relax at this point. 

     Here is tonight's evening sky for good measure.

     Yes, this is from our deck!

PMK at the VPC

     So that's Pumpkin at the Volunteer Park Cafe.  Yes, we had more pumpkin this week and it was just as fabulous. 

     Last night we went there to eat the Pot 'o Gold, but we'll talk about that later.  Volunteer Park Cafe is situated by Volunteer Park, of course, at 17th Ave and Galer in the Capitol Hill area.  Volunteer Park Cafe is a small, rustic and very intimate eatery. They strive to use the freshest ingredients and it shows.  

     We started out with the pumpkin bisque which was rich and creamy and delicious.  It was garnished with pine nuts on top.







     Then came the reason we came; the Pot 'o Gold.  This is a gourd filled with nothing but savory deliciousness.  It's a pumpkin filled with cheesy polenta, a savory cream sauce and chantrelle mushrooms.  It's then baked so all of the flavors meld into the pumpkin.  This is one of those iconic seasonal dishes that everyone should try at some point.

     This was so good!  It's won of the greatest things ever.  This is a great seasonal comfort food, I could eat this all season.  Hmm, there are a lot of pumpkins around these days.

     Of course there was dessert.  Dessert was a bread pudding that was made with chocolate croissants.  I threatened to call the police because this should be illegal.

     I so recommend this place.  It's good, the staff are friendly and most of all the food is great.  Go there next time you have the chance.  You won't regret it.

     

The Dahlia Workshop: Pumpkin Edition

     I love Autumn!  It is my favorite season of the year for many reasons.  I like the cool crisp weather and the colors of the fall foliage (such as it is here in the Northwest.)  I also love the food of the fall harvest.  This is the time of the year when everything is pumpkin spice flavored.  When it's done right it is amazing.  However, far too often it's artificial flavoured.  Tonight was all about natural, local and seasonal flavors, with an Indian (India) influence. Pumpkin with Indian spices and flavors? Oh, you betcha! 

     Tonight we had the distinct pleasure of attending a cooking class at the Tom Douglass owned Dahlia Workshop.  In conjunction with Prosser Farms, run by his wife Jackie, we were able to enjoy the best of the region.  Tonight was all about pumpkin and squash, but mostly pumpkin.

     Our teacher this evening was Dev of both Prosser Farm and Serious Pie.  We were first treated to a squash pizza with Gorgonzola and Walla Walla onions.  So rich and creamy and well Autumn like.  That was just to whet our whistle until the real epiphany came.  First was the pumpkin seed with some toasted spices and honey.  These were pumpkin seeds that I had never tasted before.  A combination of sweet and earthy spices. 

     Next was a tempura delacotta squash, served with a pumpkin ketchup.  Blast it, I didn't get a picture of that.  I can assure you it was delicious.

     My favorite dish of the evening was in fact the Pumpkin Curry.  I mean c'mon, it's curry.  Prepared with japones chilies, mustard seeds and curry leaf.  Along with an onion, garlic, ginger and jalapeno paste.  Next were some tomatoes, and of course pumpkin.  And let's not forget the Garam Masala.  This is a curry that I am going to make as soon as possible.

     This class gave a whole new meaning to my favorite season.  Warm, earthy flavors.  Like I said, I love Autumn!

    

Mt. St. Helens via Norway Pass

     I have discovered why it is so worth a three hour drive to go hiking.  Whenever I go to Mt. Rainier National Park there is always a million people there trying to hike the same trail that I was planning on hiking.  It can be very frustrating and annoying as I am trying to get away from people and they end up at the same place as me.  I understand why, I just want to be on a trail with less people. 

     Yesterday we discovered a place where there are limited run ins with my fellow hikers.  Well, I should say Kieko discovered this place. As with our trip to Mt. Adams, we had to drive about three hours mostly along mountain highways and U.S. Forest Service roads.  Unlike last time however, all of the U.S.F.S. roads were paved.  When I say paved I really mean there is asphalt but it will probably wash away during the next rainstorm.  Hmmm, maybe time to invest in a horse.  Anyway, yesterday's adventure took us to the incomprable Mt. St. Helens.

     We started our adventure at 8:00 am.  Yes, on a Saturday morning!  So we headed out to Randle, WA via Eatonville, Elbe, and Morton.  Once in Randle, we started down Hwy 131 for a couple of miles until we hit the forest service roads.  Driving along USFS roads you really have to keep a look out for the roads you are looking for as they can sneak up on you in a hurry.  F.S. 25 is very forested and as such the lighting doesn't help.  F.S. road 99 was well marked and nice and curvy like a mountain road should be.  FS road 26 was marked but again we were looking closely for it.  By this time we are out of the forest and among the devastation left by St. Helens.  There are no big trees.

     At the parking lot, there were only three other cars.  That is always a good sign.  We started our hike to Norway Pass and immediately encountered two hunters coming back.  We said "hey" and continued on through the ash laden landscape.  As we are winding our way up the trail we see this massive peak in the distance.  You guessed it, Mt. Rainier.

     Continuing along the trail, looking into the valley below we eventually see Mt. Adams.

     The trail was one of those single track that makes you feel like you're in the wilderness.  I loved it.  Anyway, we continue on and we came to a trail junction.  We went around the bend and found what we came looking for. 

     Yeah, we had the same reaction as well.  However, the picture absolutely does not do it justice.  It was the most amazing moment.  Maybe it was the brisk autumn air along with the sunshine, but I think I have found my new favorite place!

Salty's

     Good evening all.  Welcome to another installment of "Where did Steve eat tonight?" brought to you by All Around the Sound.  In tonight's edition we bring you to a Puget Sound staple, Salty's at Redondo.  Why would we go there on a Thursday night?  Let me answer that question with a question.  Do you like clams? 

     Tonight was Salty's Clam Boil which kicks off their "Aww Shucks" Oyster Fest.  I know, clams are not oysters.  Jeez, why are you asking so many questions, let me finish already.  Anyway, we went there and started with their clam chowder and Cesar salad. The salad was fine, it was your average Caesar Salad; but the Seafood Chowder was amazing.  It's chock full of seafood such as scallops and bay shrimp and bacon.  I know bacon isn't seafood but still, it's bacon. It's rich, creamy, and just enough spice.  They top it off with cream sherry and ground pepper.  Wow, it was good.  I could have ended the evening there.

     Next up was the reason we were there.  The clam boil.  Clams boiled with a mirepoix ( a French base of carrots, celery and onion.)  Served with corn on the cob and potatoes.  Prawns were also served with the clams, but they were just OK.  They weren't bad, just not great.  But again, the clams were great.



     By this time we were to full for dessert.  Next time maybe.

     As good as the food was, and it was good, the service was excellent.  Our server was the effervescent Melanie.  She was friendly, attentive, and informative.  She was there to ensure that our experience was the best. 

     Thank you Melanie, we'll be back.


    

    

Mt. Adams, Sushi and more.

     Since summer is now officially over, we can expect the weather to start turning into the typical fall patterns of rain with sun breaks, followed by more rain.  However, since it has not started yet, we decided to take a trip to Mr. Adams.  This is a place that I have never been to so I was excited to go. 

     Let me start by saying that this is a bit of a drive.  It took about 3 to 3 1/2 hours to get there.  We had to take several small highways (Hwys. 7 and 12), and then on to the Forest Service roads (23 and 29).  But once we got there it was worth the drive.  We parked the car at the Tahkalak Lake campground and put up our America the Beautiful Pass, as this is land that is operated by the U.S. Forest Service.  We ate something and then started out hiking.  I was amazed that we were the only ones on the trail.  Had this been a National Park there would have been about 10,000 people on the trail.  It was so nice having the trail to ourselves.  I had forgotten about the whole purpose of hiking.  It was fun trying to stay on the trail as it disappeared several times. 

     One of the interesting things I learned on the trail is that there was a huge eruption of Mt. Adams a mere 3,500 years ago.  That is fairly recent in geologic terms, in fact it has just cooled.

     These rocks are from the lava flow that occurred some 3,500 years ago.  At first I couldn't figure out what all these rocks were doing here.  As I looked a more closely I could see that it was in fact volcanic rock.  We then came across the sign above and then it all made sense.

     At one point we were actually able to hike to where we were on top of the lava flow and what a view.



     Yes, that is Mt. Rainier in the distance.  How cool is that!

     There was also a beautiful meadow on the trail.  I loved how the sun was just lighting up the whole meadow.

     So on the long drive back home we, by which I mean Kieko, decided to eat Japanese food when we got back.  OK, I was in complete agreement with it, so we went to Miyabi's in Tuckwila.  This place is pretty good and they do a wonderful job on the rolls.

           The rainbow roll was just what we were wanting as it had a variety of fish wrapped around the rice. 

     Then there was the geoduck butter.  Geoduck sauteed in a butter sauce and served in the clam shell.  Now this is comfort food.

     And then there is my new favorite thing in the world. The Uni Shot!  The Uni Shot is Uni (Sea Urchin) with a single raw quail's egg. 

     How good does that look?  It is soo good, I could eat this everyday.

     However, I must cook as well, and it can't be all sushi.  Tonight at Kieko's request I made some paella with clams and bay scallops.  It turned out pretty good, but next time I think I will add some shrimp, squid, and maybe rabbit as well.

     Trust me, it tasted better than it looks. 

     That's all for now.  I'll see ya soon.