July 2016 Latitude 45

July 2016

An American's Perspective on

Africa DIG DEEP

&

RADICAL ROAD TRIPS

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CONTENTS July 2016

45

Latitude N O RT H W E S T L I V I N G

WWW.LATITUDE45MAG.COM MARKETING

Washington Sales and Marketing Director | Julie Reed 253.273.8524 | julie@livinglocal360.com Marketing Manager Kelly Williams kelly@livinglocal360.com

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor | Patty Hutchens patty@livinglocal360.com Editor | Jani Gonzalez jani@livinglocal360.com

DESIGN

Creative Director | Whitney Lebsock Senior Designer | Jessica Herbig Media Intern | Maddie Russo maddie@livinglocal360.com

CONTRIBUTORS Dan Aznoff • Megan Olson • Peter Hughes

Latitude 45 is published and mailed to targeted neighborhoods in the Pacific Northwest. We’re not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine.

Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher and no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission of the publisher.

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Feature Story Dig Deep

06 16 19 06 Travel & Leisure

Africa is all about the animals and the adventure

16 Arts & Entertainment Calendar of Events

19 Get Out There Radical Road Trips

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AN AMERICAN’S PERSPECTIVE Africa is all about the animals and the adventure TRAVEL & LEISURE

By Dan Aznoff Photos courtesy of Dan & Susan Aznoff and Dawie Jacobs

T

here is no doubt that a trip through the vast expanses of Africa is the trip of a lifetime.

The exception is my wife, who returned for a second visit last May to share her excitement with me.

The truth is, an African safari was never on my bucket list. But when I sensed the exhilaration and saw the photographs Susan brought back from her excursion with my son, the long plane flight and the rustic accommodations were no longer an insurmountable challenge.

Our adventure was broken into four separate, equally thrilling segments.

We started off at a private game lodge in South Africa, made our way to the inspirational grandeur of Victoria Falls that forms the border between of Zambia and Zimbabwe, then to the stark remoteness of raised tents in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and finally across the continent to Tanzania where we traversed the Serengeti and spent a remarkable day in the Ngorongoro Crater.

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Elephant Plains The 21 hours of flying – including the last 40 minutes on a small singleengine prop aircraft – all seemed like a small price to pay after our first day on our bush tour with Dawie Jacobs at the Elephant Plains Lodge in the Kruger portion of northeast South Africa.

Our four-day stay at Elephant Plains included game drives in the early morning (wake-up at 5:30am) and an evening drive that returned after dark.

On our first afternoon we were treated to an hour observing a pride of 13 lions and the sighting of a rare African pangolin, an animal that looked like a cross between an armadillo and an artichoke.

Our first morning ride set the bar extremely high. Dawie spotted a leopard in search of her next meal. We watched as she crept through the tall brush… then bounced on a small duiker, a tiny member of the antelope family. The leopard made the dash and all we could hear was a faint yip.

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The Serengeti is also the only place in the world where you can see lions that climb trees. At one point, we watched a female sitting majestically on a branch while 12 lions from her pack hung from the limbs of a nearby tree.

When we caught up to the leopard, she had her breakfast pinned with one paw. The end did not come quickly but, surprisingly, it was not bloody. The leopard began her meal while the duiker was still struggling to escape.

Later that same day we watched as two lions perform their mating ritual. The courtship took almost a half an hour. When the mating finally took place, it happened literally below the passenger door of our vehicle. The actual mating took only about three-and-one-half seconds. We were fascinated to learn that big cats often mate 50 times per day when they are in season.

The spray from the falls make the River Zambezi Rain Forest the only place that receives rainfall 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Within our first 48 hours in the brush, we had up close and personal experiences with each member of the “Big Five” (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and the Cape buffalo). Dawie told us we were “incredible lucky.” But I think we were just lucky to have him at the wheel of our Land Cruiser.

The next day we watched an emotional reunion between a leopard and her cub.

But the highlight for my wife was on the third morning when we left two leopards mating to discover wild dogs feasting on an impala. Dawie was shrewd enough to place our vehicle on the shore of a watering hole where the dogs came to play after they finished devouring the impala.

Dawie was not only a wonderful ranger, but an incredible photographer as you can see from some of the photos printed with this article.

Deep in the Delta From South Africa we spent a day at Victoria Falls. Then traveled by car, ferry boat and tiny airplane to the Oddfellows Camp deep in the Okavango Delta. Instead of Land Cruisers, our twice-daily game drives were on dugout canoes known as a makoro. Our four nights in Botswana were highlighted by a close encounter with a raging hippo who rumbled through our camp about 12 yards from where we were having dinner.

The tents were fun, but the real adventure came watching and listening for animals while using the outdoor toilet and bucket shower.

From our makoro and hikes on adjacent islands, we came face to face with a 65-year-old bull elephant and several hippos who were not thrilled to see us intrude on their solitude. We saw herds of wildebeest in fields guarded by impala and zebra who roamed the perimeter. The most frightening incident of our stay took place one afternoon when Susan was confronted by a cobra. The snake raised its head, but thankfully slipped back into the brush as my wife calmly stepped backward and beyond the range of his fangs.

From the rustic raised tents in the delta, we flew across the vast African continent to Tanzania. Our adventure in the Serengeti took us to three separate lodges, each with their own unique splendor. We were treated to breathtaking views of Lake

SUSAN AZNOFF IN THE BOW OF THE BOAT.

Manyara and the white-linen opulence of the Kirawira tented camp. Our wake-up call in the morning at the luxury camp was a charming room steward wearing white gloves when he brought coffee and pastry to our veranda on a silver tray.

It was on the six-hour drive across the Serengeti that we were privileged to witness a partial migration of wildebeest. The sight of the large animals rumbling in front of our vehicle for as far as the eye could see was truly inspirational. The Serengeti is also the only place in the world where you can see lions that climb trees. At one point, we watched a female sitting majestically on a branch while 12 lions from her pack hung from the limbs of a nearby tree.

Garden of Eden Our final stop was at a lodge perched on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater, close to where the first proof of humans were discovered. It’s easy to believe that this is where the Garden of Eden once might have existed. Inside the steep walls of the crater were several distinct ecosystems, ranging from a lake populated with pink flamingos to desert terrain where animals lived without any natural predators.

There is so much more to reflect from our African adventure. But it is important to emphasize, like all vacations, the best part was the people we met. That began with Dawie and the staff at Elephant Plains, to our guide Rep who pushed our makoro

through the shallow waters of the delta with his long pole, to Amos who drove us for six days in Tanzania and shared the traditions of his native people, the Maasai.

Unfortunately, space limitations do not allow me the opportunity to mention the giraffes that pose for photos or the thousands of mischievous baboons who entertained us for hours at a time.

An African safari is truly the vacation of a lifetime. If it’s not on your bucket list, it should be.

From our makoro and hikes on adjacent islands, we came face to face with a 65-year-old bull elephant and several hippos who were not thrilled to see us intrude on their solitude.

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FEATURE STORY

YES, HERE IN AMERICA ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO BRINGING CLEAN WATER TO THE MOST VULNERABLE 10

Article and photos by Peter Hughes

On the morning of my first day at work I couldn’t feel my hands. It was not because of nerves or excitement, but the frigid air that hovered around zero degrees Fahrenheit.

Darlene Arviso, an elderly Navajo woman, chuckled from the driver’s seat as she saw me rubbing my hands next to her. “The desert isn’t just hot. It’s tough year-round,” she said.

We were driving through Northern New Mexico, just outside of a town called Thoreau on the Navajo Reservation. White snow sat on top of the red plateaus and rock formations around us. Beautiful as it was, this was no leisurely scenic drive. In this sparsely populated part of the country, Darlene is the only source of clean drinking water. I was sitting with the “Water Lady,” and that day, like every other day, she would be delivering clean water.

It was the first day of my internship with DIGDEEP, a water rights nonprofit based out of Los Angeles, California. As a recent college graduate in International Relations and a future Peace Corps volunteer, I had grown interested in global development. I viewed issues of clean water access to be as foreign a problem as Ebola or military coups. So it came as a great shock that my first project in providing such a basic utility began in the United States, just a day's drive away from my apartment in Southern California. As Darlene and I drove that day, filling up cisterns, barrels and buckets with the precious clean water, it became clear just how real – and how American – this issue is.

Driving between homes I was able to pester Darlene with questions fueled by equal parts anger and confusion. As a resident of Thoreau for over 50 years, Darlene knows too well the troubled history that led to the lack of potable water in her community. A chemical sampling of the water from a traditional well would show a variety of fatal contaminants.

Arsenic and uranium are found frequently throughout the southwestern U.S., a result of hastily constructed, then abandoned, uranium mines during the nuclear arms race in the 1960s. Both the uranium and the chemicals used to extract the ore have since seeped into the most immediate water tables, leaving the water that one might extract from a basic well poisonous. The Navajo Nation, extremely tight on money and resources, has been unable to provide adequate housing or utilities for its people. As a result, Thoreau and other parts of the Navajo Nation struggle.

More than just history, Darlene is intimately in touch with the struggles of those families to whom she delivers water.

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On a good day, Darlene can refill the water supply of eight homes given the restrictions of time and water she is able to carry with her 3,500 gallon tank. As the sole water source for a community of over 200 households, this means that a family would have to make a 1,200 gallon cistern last for a month. For a household of four, that is just 10 gallons a day per person for cooking, cleaning, bathing and of course drinking; the average American uses over 145 gallons per day.

Those who do not have a costly cistern system are not as fortunate. Many fill up buckets, barrels, jerry cans or whatever receptical they can find to store water for the month. Storing water in open containers often leads to contamination and disease.

Thoreau is not an outlier. This small town shares its water problem with many other American towns and cities. Beginning in April of 2014, a change in water source rendered the tap water undrinkable in the city of Flint, Michigan. Afterwards media outlets and politicians began a national conversation on water access. But still the problem remains greater than most understand. The latest census tells us that at least 1.7 million Americans lack access to clean, running water. These people are rarely urban dwellers like

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those in Flint. They are more often rural, isolated agricultural communities and are disproportionately Native American. In this year alone, 40 percent of Navajo Native Americans will live without running water.

DIGDEEP is centered around the belief that every human deserves clean, running water. They are unique in their focus on American water issues, with projects in Arizona and New Mexico and more U.S. locations on the horizon. For DIGDEEP, running water is a basic human right. The organization uses community centered approaches to solve water problems in a sustainable fashion.

The organization is molded in the image of its co-founder and CEO, George McGraw.

McGraw founded the organization in 2011.

As a human rights law expert, he primarily worked on water rights issues while working for the United Nations Development Program. McGraw fused expertise and passion in creating a nonprofit focused on access to clean water following his work at the U.N. He challenged himself to introduce the issues of water poverty to the nation least affected by it. In the five years of DIGDEEP, they have launched projects in three continents, raised millions of dollars, and brought clean water to numerous families across the world.

It was to my surprise given the organization’s accomplishments that I was joining a team of merely six people, with only two of them being full-time employees. DIGDEEP is a small, intimate team of passionate changemakers. Over the course of five months I had the pleasure of working with a dynamic group who have been able to achieve so much with so little. Over my time with the nonprofit, I was able to be involved in a wide array of tasks given our small staff.

But when I was able to focus on my own projects, I spearheaded a new campaign on the Navajo reservation. My task was simple: to bring running water to one family who need it more than most. For La Tanya Dickson and her family, access to clean water means so much more than drinking or bathing. While working with La Tanya I learned that water means happiness; water means family.

I first met La Tanya at the community center in the desert town of Birdsprings, Arizona.

The bulletin board that hung above our table read “Veterans of Birdsprings” with photos of men and women in uniform below. While we made our introductions, two of her young boys played a giggly game of tag. But that day, it was their little sister Lisa who would be the subject of our conversation. For the past 16 months, Lisa

had been living in a medical group home in Phoenix, over a three hour drive from her mother.

When Lisa was just three days old she was diagnosed with microvillus inclusion disease, a genetic disorder of the digestional tract which prevents her from processing food and extracting nutrients.

As a result of her fragile health condition, Lisa requires constant medical attention and a safe and sanitary environment.

But like the majority of the families in the Birdsprings area of the Navajo reservation, Lisa’s family lacks the vital resource of running water. Just months after her diagnosis, Lisa was denied an intestinal transplantation because of her family's lack of this basic necessity. Without water and electricity, a recovery in her own home would be impossible. La Tanya has already missed some of her child’s most important milestones in development. Lisa’s first laugh, birthday and steps have been in a medical group home under the supervision of nurses, not her family.

After hearing about Lisa’s story, DIGDEEP pledged to help bring running water to

her home and reunite her family. To do so we raised $50,000 to build a 1,200 foot water line extension to bring water to the house as well as the basic in-home water amenities. Once given the go-ahead by the Navajo Nation, DIGDEEP will partner with the local Keyah Construction company to begin building.

After launching a fundraising campaign for Lisa, DIGDEEP received an overwhelming demonstration of support from the public, raising the necessary funds in just over a month. “Lisa’s story is so powerful because it so clearly illustrates the ancillary effects of water poverty,” McGraw said.

It is not just about bringing water to the thirsty.

less time hauling water and more time attending school or earning money. Water access is an all encompassing issue. It means education, economic development, security and gender equality.

I viewed issues of clean water access to be as foreign a problem as Ebola or military coups. So it came as a great shock that my first project in providing such a basic utility began in the United States, just a day's drive away from my apartment in Southern California.

For Lisa and her family, clean water means a safe home.

It means a family coming together. For communities across the world, clean water access means drastically lower instances of disease and infections.

It means women and children can spend

Going forward, DIGDEEP intends to expand its projects within the United States.

In partnership with the St. Bonaventure Mission in Thoreau, DIGDEEP will build a 1,400-foot well to access uncontaminated

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Without water and electricity, a recovery in her own home would be impossible. La Tanya has already missed some of her child’s most important milestones in development. Lisa’s first laugh, birthday and steps have been in a medical group home under the supervision of nurses, not her family.

water for the Navajo communities nearby. It will soon introduce a second water truck to deliver concurrently with Darlene, cutting the month long waiting period for families down to roughly two weeks. The neglect and irresponsibility that lead to the water crisis will take years of creative problem solving to undo.

Difficult as it has been and will continue to be, DIGDEEP is dedicated to doing it.

In the water truck with Darlene on my first day, I repeated the same few words again and again. “Really? Here? In America?” This ignorance that I embodied on my first day is the very thing that I have since tried to combat.

Because despite the collective national silence on water access, the problem is not going anywhere. The 1.7 million Americans will continue to struggle without running water and these communities will disproportionately be poor minorities, particularly Native Americans. It remains one of the great embarrassments of our nation.

“Really? Here? In America?” Darlene responded with a disappointing nod, again and again.

To learn more about DIGDEEP or to donate visit digdeep.org.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS JUL

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Seattle Night Ride The 15-mile Seattle Night Ride starts at Peddler Brewing, follows bike trails to Myrtle Edwards Park for snacks, and returns to the start for a party with a food truck, beer and games! Minors OK. Bicycle must have headlight, tail light and red rear reflector. The ride starts at 9pm. www.cascade.org/rides-major-rides/ seattle-night-ride

Scrapbook Expo

JUL

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JUL

Calling all creative scrapbookers! This is the event for you. See the latest designs, tools, projects and more. This is the best place to shop and crop til you drop.

There’s never a dull moment with all the amazing exhibitors, activities, door prizes and workshops. 10am to 6pm at the Washington State Fair, 110 9th Ave. SW, Puyallup, WA 98371.

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Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival July 9-10. The 16th annual Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival will be held at Volunteer Park. Three stages and 14 performances by eight local theater companies. All in two days in one park and all FREE! Get ready for a full weekend of live theater! greenstage. org/seattle-outdoor-theater-festival

JUL

Art on the Avenue

JUL

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Art on the Avenue is an annual music and art festival held in Tacoma, along 6th Avenue from State St. to Alder. In its 17th year and attracting thousands of patrons, it is Tacoma’s largest arts based yearly event.There will be musical performances and visual artistic displays! Free, 11am to 7pm.

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White Center Jubilee Days July 10-17. This diverse community's festival started in 1923. There's something for everyone, with fun events everywhere!

Take the Garden Tour, enjoy the street fair, or the fantastic fireworks display on July 13th at dusk. All the fun all week long is at Steve Cox Memorial Park. Visit www. seafair.com/events/2016/white-centerjubilee-days for full schedule and times.

Upcoming Events - August 02 16

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

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SUMMER SOUNDS CONCERTS (AUG. 2,9,16,23,30)

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SEAFAIR AIR SHOW & HYDROPLANE RACES

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CRUISE THE NARROWS CLASSIC CAR SHOW

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Bremerton Summer Brewfest July 15-16. Bremerton Summer Brewfest will expand to two days (Friday 4 to 9pm, Sat. noon to 6:30pm) on the waterfront along the Bremerton Boardwalk, 100 2nd Street. This event features 30 Washington breweries pouring more than 100 craft beers. To celebrate the Summer, the Washington brewers will be focusing on fruit infused beers. Tickets are $20, must be 21+

JUL

JUL

JUL

Thomas Train Ride

Sequim Lavender Festival

Seattle to Portland Bike Ride

July 15-17, 22-24. Team up with Thomas for a day of family fun! Day Out With Thomas includes a 25-minute train ride, stories and videos, and crafts for kids at Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie. The trains depart every 45 minutes starting at 9am. Be sure to get your tickets! Great for all young ages. www.trainmuseum.org

July 16-17. This is the largest lavender event in North America. Featuring seven amazing lavender farms that you can tour from 10am to 5:30pm as well as a fantastic street fair in downtown Sequim! Come celebrate its 20th year with great food, live music, and beautiful lavender farms.

Guaranteed fun for everyone!

July 16-17. This 200+ mile bicycle ride is the largest multi-day bicycle event in the Northwest, with up to 10,000 participants riding from Seattle to Portland in one or two days. The route takes you through the scenic valleys, forests and farmlands of western Washington and Oregon. First heat starts at 4:45am. Come ride! www. cascade.org

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Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival Sandsations

Vintage Car Show

July 21-23. Celebrate wine, spirits, brews and food with four events over three days!

The Summer Sip & Stroll takes place along the downtown waterfront, enjoy one of several Sip & Savor dinners, and the Grand Tasting Event features 50+ vendors, classes and a Celebrity Chef Cook-off. The Sunset Dinner at the Club ends your day in style!

Details at www.harborwineandfoodfest.com.

See 2,500 custom, classic and muscle cars and trucks plus hot rods at the Goodguys 29th Pacific Northwest Nationals at the Puyallup Fairgrounds! Friday 8am to 5pm, Sat. 8am to 8pm, Sun 8am to 3pm come and see a showcase of cars, races, kids activities and live music entertainment.

You won’t want to miss this!

Enjoy a weekend getaway out on the coast in Long Beach and view or take part in the Sandsation sand sculpture competition!

Taking place along the shoreline, adjacent to the Long Beach Boardwalk and near the Bolstad beach approach there are competitions for all ability levels. Register online at sandsationslongbeach.com.

Upcoming Events - August 06 18

THE ORIGINAL BROWNS POINT SALMON BAKE

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TACOMA COLOR RUN 5K

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OLALLA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

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FREE STATE PARK & NAT. PARK DAYS

TheBoating Life W

ater is available in the Pacific and Inland Northwest in abundance. It’s a matter of minutes away, sometimes a matter of steps to the water’s edge. So with summer coming in hot, it’s time to brush up on some water sports – practice up and suit up to maximize the fun factor for summer.

There’s water sports available for every skill level, from those who prefer to relax on a floatie at the beach to those who take it to the extreme – surfing, diving and flying above the water’s surface. Adrenaline junkies beware, the next few pages might spark a new love for the water.

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Wakesurfing Do you dream of giant tubes surfing the North Shore? Grab a taste of reality and adapt, because wakesurfing is here! Grab your boat, or your buddy’s boat, your surfboard, and a rash guard and get going! Once you’re out there, get your momentum trailing behind the boat holding onto a ski rope. When you’re feeling it, let go and ride that man-made wave out.

Wakesurfers take it to the next level, creating new tricks and trying to do one better than the next guy. Fun fact: Canadian musician Chris Hau recorded a video in 2013 in which he played a song on a guitar while wakesurfing. Try to top that!

Hydroboarding

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The wave of the future is here. Why ride in the water when you can ride over it? Create your own breeze on a hot summer day by strapping on some jet packs and coasting above the water’s surface. Helmets and floatation devices are a must if you’re renting your gear, but the hydroboard itself is buoyant, so feel free to take a breather in the water if your legs can’t handle the pressure.

Also, you’re connected to a watercraft via a large hose that forces water into the boots and down through the jets, giving the rider the ability to fly up to 49 feet in the air or dive up to eight feet underwater.

Paddleboarding Who doesn’t want a casual day of fun on the water with friends? Paddleboarding is a great low-impact exercise when you propel yourself through the water using a paddle, standing or sitting on a paddleboard. Paddleboarding was originally performed in the open ocean, with the participant paddling unbroken swells to cross between islands. These days, and in our Northwest region, it’s all fun and games.

Paddleboards can be surprisingly affordable to own, and most rentals are even more affordable for a day’s use, making it the perfect water intro sport for newcomers to the area. Bonus points: Paddling standing up puts tension on stabilizer muscles, building strength, stability and increasing your center of balance.

Air chair, also known as hydrofoiling, is basically sit down waterskiing. With the motto “Be safe, have fun, go BIG,” air chair is gaining a name for itself.

Your balance skills have to be onpoint in this sport, as it takes some strength and balance to maneuver over the wakes your boat will throw back at you.

Once you’re up, you’ll start to rise out of the water and onto the lower blades of the air chair, and you’ll be able to feel the wind rushing underneath you.

If you don’t look down, it will feel like you’re miles above the water, minus the spray from the waves. We won’t talk about the spray.

Air Chair

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Diving

Diving conjures up such an elegant picture. While we don’t have the tropical coral reefs that we typically associate with when we think of diving, the Pacific and Inland Northwest is home to varied water life that can be seen best when fully submerged.

Diving requires some lessons, as there is a lot of gear involved. Our inland lakes, such as Lake Pend Oreille, have a depth to them that is best explored from below, as you can dive further than the light can reach. Further to the west, the ocean salt water teems with life, from the mundane to more unusual special of swimmers.

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253.853.2555

253.549.6290 Mobile Seana Wohlfeil Broker | RealtorÂŽ 253.549.3386 Mobile LindaPetersenTeam.com

Keller Williams West Sound Realty 11515 Burnham Dr. NW Gig Harbor WA 98332 Email Us: info@LindaPetersenTeam.com Follow Us: Facebook.com/LindaPetersenTeam Tweet Us: @Petersen_Team

Are you ready to make a change? Call us today for a Free market analysis of your home with suggestions on staging, or zap our app for listings.

We provide a free 1 year home warranty with every sale!

Home Tour App

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Tubing

Tubing is a sport the whole family can enjoy. Grab your life vest, your tube, your protégés, and your buddy’s boat if you don’t have one, and head on out to the water. If you trust your friend driving, you can build up speed and get a little adrenaline rush.

If you have a little guy on the tube with you, they might prefer a more relaxing turn around the water with you. Either way, you’re outdoors, enjoying the sunshine and maximizing your Northwest experience. Ever played the “corner” game? When tubing, you want to lean to the inside edge when you turn or your tube will dip down and buck you off.

Barefoot Skiing Tough as nails. That’s what your feet will be if you have a love for barefoot waterskiing. Who needs boards? Free the feet! It’s a lot of fun to watch someone waterskiing, only to realize that they do not have waterskis! The water seems to spray a little more without the extra skis attached to your feet, but if you can hang on for that eight second ride, we’ll tip our hats to you. Just one more way to enjoy your day on the water. Try to jump a wake barefoot and tell us how it turns out!

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Rad ical Road Trips

By Megan Olson

The Pacific Northwest is filled with awesome places to visit, and there is no better time for a ROAD TRIP THIS SUMMER. Whether it is taking the family to the ocean, hiking in our beautiful mountains or taking in some of the sights and sounds of the big city, pack up the car and take off for an adventure!

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Grab Some

Summer Goodness $5 Off

Simply Swizzled Mixed Fruit Box

4901 Point Fosdick Drive Gig Harbor, WA

Joleen Stenbak 253.358.5481

253-853-7848 www.edible.com

CONTACT ME TODAY! Schedule a private in-home POP-UP BOUTIQUE to earn FREE clothes!

VISIT ME ONLINE! Join my exclusive Facebook shopping group!

Always stay up-to-date on all my new styles and prints!

LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY I LOVE Proud to have raised my family here!

facebook.com/lularoebyjoleen @lularoebyjoleen lularoebyjoleen@yahoo.com

“Let me help YOU get YOUR business BUSY!”

JULIE REED Washington Director 253.273.8524 julie@livinglocal360.com

VISIT MY BOUTIQUE!

by Joleen 5306 144TH ST NW Gig Harbor, WA 98332 27

N

othing says summer like the great American road trip. There is something freeing about packing up the car and taking a vacation, even when the destination is within close proximity. The Pacific Northwest brims with endless splendor and opportunity for adventure. Idaho’s and Washington’s abundance of pristine waterfalls is enough incentive to hit the open road. There are hundreds (if not thousands) of waterfalls that will leave you awe-inspired.

mossy, stair-stepped, enchanted cascade is the essence of a photographer’s dream. This serene waterfall consists of three tiers where the tallest drop is only 15 feet. The waterfall can be seen from the road and is easily accessible for foot traffic. This is truly one of the most camerafriendly landscapes that needs to be at the top of your waterfall road trip.

Some of the most spectacular views of the world are right here in our backyard. Here is Living Local’s top “must see” waterfall list for Washington and Idaho.

This waterfall in the North Cascades National Park is considered by some to be one of the best waterfalls in the world. Unfortunately, this waterfall is going to be more appealing to the adventurist because of the hiking difficulty and it lacks accessibility. Because of the rough terrain and its remoteness, few individuals exert the effort to visit this waterfall, which is a bonus for those looking for more of a solitary wilderness experience. The waterfall is typically reached through the Canadian side in British Columbia. Neither stateside

BIG SPRING CREEK FALLS –Skamania County, Washington If a picturesque landscape not far from the beaten path is what you are looking for, Big Spring Creek Falls located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest cannot be rivaled. This

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DEPOT CREEK FALLS – Whatcom County, Washington

nor Canada pose an easy or accessible entry route. A four-wheel drive is certainly required to navigate the rugged terrain. Visitors should anticipate at least a 10-mile hike before they reach the falls. Three large glaciers on the face of Mount Redoubt form Depot Creek. Under warmer conditions, this powerhouse of a waterfall can pump out a volume of 500 cubic feet per second as it plunges nearly 1,000 feet to its base. In this instance, the triumph is well worth the adversity.

PANTHER CREEK FALLS – Skamania County, Washington Panther Creek Falls is considered to be one of the most unique waterfalls in the country.

The roughly half-mile trail is well-groomed and is rated as an easy hike to the viewing point. This distinctive waterfall located in the heart of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest that is uncongested and apparently few people are aware of it. Hikers will unveil a richness of hanging moss and vibrant colors. The

water seems to emerge as streamers from an enchanted forest. After a full day of abundant activities in the Gorge area, travelers can indulge and stay at the nearby Carson Ridge Luxury cabins.

SHOSHONE FALLS – Twin Falls, Idaho The list of best waterfalls would not be complete unless it includes the renowned “Niagara of the West.” Shoshone Falls is located on the Snake River only 3 miles to the northeast of Twin Falls. The falls plummet over 200 feet (which is almost 50 feet higher than Niagara Falls) and is nearly 1,000 feet wide. The city of Twin Falls maintains and operates a lookout that is easily accessible and provides optimal views of this majestic cascade. This waterfall is best seen in spring or early summer as agriculture and irrigation season tend to diminish its velocity.

The park offers shaded picnic areas, hiking trails, boat ramps and play areas, making it ideal for the entire family.

SNOQUALMIE Washington

FALLS

–

Snoqualmie,

As a premier attraction for Washington State, Snoqualmie Falls draws in nearly 1.5 million visitors each year. Its appearance on the television show “Twin Peaks” made this 268foot waterfall a cult series icon. The two-acre park and observatory are easily accessible to visitors. There is the option of a 0.7 mile (nonstrenuous) informative trail from the upper to the lower falls. This waterfall is perfect for families and pets. The falls are located only 30 miles from Seattle and offer a true Pacific Northwest experience.

Thousand Springs - Hagerman, Idaho

River. This waterfall destination is a genuine family vacation as it offers a resort and spa experience for the family.

There is something very freeing about rolling down the windows of a car to feel the embrace of summer. Allow for the wind to tangle your hair and for the sun to kiss your face. We must live for these days – these simple moments of setting aside the grind of existence so that we may fully live. Get out of the house and go see something beautiful. To witness the wonders of these falls will make space for something amazing to be born inside you. Start here. Pack your car and hit the open road to experience at least one of the pristine waterfalls of Idaho and Washington.

Just to the south of Hagerman is one of the most unique geological areas in Idaho. It is here that ribbons of water pour from the permeable basalt face of the canyon. This waterfall road trip experience is on a 67-mile scenic byway that stretches along the corridor of the Snake

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ROUTE 101

Trolley service has returned to Gig Harbor!

June 2nd - September 5th For details visit piercetransit.org or call 253.581.8000 50¢ a Ride or Just $1 for All Day!

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Complete Expert Tree Service

Scan Me To See How It’s Done!

Tree Pruning

Prune your trees and keep your property safe!

No Impact Tree Removal • Tree & View Trimming Expert Pruning • Brush Removal • Animal Rescues • Stump Grinding

Got trees? We’ll go out on a limb for you! Call 253.549.6522 today.

Certified Arborist- PN-7546A • Licensed and Bonded - WA State #HANSEHT907B8

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When it comes to your retirement — lifestyle, security and location should be key.

OPENING SPRING 2017.

Reserve your keys now to the area’s only lifestyle with the financial security and peace of mind of true Life Care – Heron’s Key at Gig Harbor.

Located in the walkable Harbor Hill neighborhood, future residents are getting to know each other and looking forward to being neighbors.

Make plans now to join them.

Call 1.866.642.0556 or go to HeronsKey.org to learn more

Find us on Facebook!

about our informational workshops and see construction updates.



4021 Harborview Drive Gig Harbor, WA 98332

Quick, Simple, & Easy | Commitment to Put You & Your Client First | In-House Specialists

Work with a Lender You Can Trust The James Group

AT ON Q FINANCIAL, INC. PETER & DAWN JAMES peter.james@onqfinancial.com 253.988.0426 NMLS #487468

AT

dawn.james@onqfinancial.com 253.988.0425 NMLS #487467

Contact The James Group Today!

WWW.THEJAMESGROUPONQ.COM 2727 Hollycroft St. NW #360 Gig Harbor, WA 98335

|

253.313.1586

On Q Financial, Inc. is an Equal Housing Lender NMLS #5645.

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*****************ECRWSS****

Please Deliver By July 9, 2016 Local Postal Customer

Come visit the hottest new gallery in Gig Harbor!

FURNITURE AND HOME DECOR ~ NEW & CONSIGNMENT

Open Sunday & Monday 11-5 & Tuesday–Saturday 10-6 • Like us on f dollymamadesignsboutique 7700 Pioneer Way Ste. 103 • Gig Harbor, WA • 253.851.5113

Furniture Pick Up & Delivery Available

Private Paint Parties Gift Delivery Available 32