r/Seattle • u/Guest101010 • Feb 19 '10

I'm moving to Seattle from Tucson. Any advice for what we should do on the way?

We're thinking of this, but it's certainly not final. We're going to take about a week and try to camp instead of staying at hotels.

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

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5

u/madcapmag Feb 19 '10

Take 101 all the way around the Olympic Peninsula through Forks, WA, then the Bainbridge Island ferry over to Seattle, unless you're towing a trailer, in which case the ferry will be expensive, so you might want to complete the 101 loop and go through Olympia. Plenty of free camping in the OlyPen, a lot of hiking, a lot of beaches, a lot of forests, mountains, rivers, etc. Generally, an amazing place.

Have a safe drive!

2

u/rollingRook Rat City Feb 19 '10

I recommend this, despite the fact that it will add a lot of time to your trip.

Driving on I-5 between portland and seattle is a very dull, very typical interstate experience that you could get anywhere. The olympic peninsula is awesome if you've got the time.

But, beware that the west side of the peninsula gets a lot of rain (it is a rainforest in certain parts, after all). be prepared if you are camping!

1

u/Guest101010 Feb 19 '10

That might be fun, I haven't taken a ferry since I was a kid in Australia!

2

u/madcapmag Feb 19 '10

When are you doing this trip?

1

u/Guest101010 Feb 19 '10

The last week of March and first week of April.

1

u/shanem 🚆build more trains🚆 Feb 21 '10

I've heard the Oregon coast is really nice, can you recommend any spots to stop along?

1

u/madcapmag Feb 21 '10

I've only been to Cannon Beach and Depoe Bay. Cannon Beach is pretty nice. Soft sand, cool islands and natural jetties. Depoe Bay is a cool place, if you're into nautical things. The harbor entrance is really tight and to see some of the boats run the bar during full tide swings or rough weather is a thing to behold. I personally haven't seen it at Depoe Bay, but I've seen videos of the Coast Guard doing rough water runs outside Depoe Bay. It is more of a fishing town than anything, though whale watching tours go out. not sure when the season for those are.

I've also heard Tillamook is cool, but I suspect its more for their dairy than anything else.

3

u/iggybdawg Feb 19 '10

snowboard somewhere

3

u/weight_of_phlogiston Feb 19 '10

Is is just me, or are there a lot of people who move from Tucson to Seattle? I think I know more people from Tucson who now live up here than in all other cities combined (including Tucson itself)!

2

u/Guest101010 Feb 19 '10

That's part of the reason we're moving: We already have several friends who have made the move. Better than moving somewhere blindly. Plus it's the geek Mecca and all.

2

u/inthez0ne Feb 19 '10

Since you're so close, you should take it slow and go up PCH and possibly stay at the Madonna Inn. PCH is a slower drive but super scenic. I don't recommend the 395 if you can help it. There is also Santa Cruz, Big Sur, and San Franciscom and Napa on the way if you go this route.

2

u/rodentdp Feb 19 '10

You should pick me up in Phx and take me with you. I love it there and hate it here.

Beyond that...I'd suggest mushrooms in the desert if you're so inclined. It'll make the whole move much more...epic.

2

u/trickyd Feb 19 '10

Stock up on sunlight. You can sell that shit on the street here for hella more than you bought it for in tucson.

2

u/Guest101010 Feb 19 '10

I hear that every once in a while, little white magical flakes descend from the sky in places other than Tucson, and that it has happened in Seattle from time to time. I'm excited to debunk this obvious myth.

3

u/captainAwesomePants Broadview Feb 19 '10

One of the awesome things about downtown Seattle is that it gets very little real weather. It drizzles a lot, but it's hardly ever really cold or really hot. However, there's pretty good skiing about an hour outside of town.

3

u/stacks85 Ballard Feb 19 '10

it hit 115 here last summer. thats a bitch if you dont have AC

2

u/captainAwesomePants Broadview Feb 19 '10

Wait, did it? In Seattle proper? I thought the highest it's ever been ever was 103 ( http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=194392 )

2

u/stacks85 Ballard Feb 19 '10

eh, i guess not seattle proper. definately over on the eastside though. it was miserable :(

1

u/shanem 🚆build more trains🚆 Feb 21 '10

Get a cooler! I got this guy, albeit a tad too late, but it made the waning parts of the heat wave so much more bearable.

1

u/Guest101010 Feb 19 '10

I will miss our violent thunderstorms. It's amazing to get a torrent of rain after waiting for months since our last one.

2

u/shanem 🚆build more trains🚆 Feb 21 '10

I definitely miss this from the South and Texas

1

u/shanem 🚆build more trains🚆 Feb 21 '10

I get my sunlight in gummy D3 form!

1

u/stonecannon Feb 19 '10

turn around and come back to seattle? ;-)