CREW PNW crew thread

[ObeyTheNoodle]

Brought the camper out of storage this weekend... it's time!

Nice! What kind of camper do you have and what sort of camping do you do? I need to start reserving spots at my favorite places... I think this summer is gonna be even more crazy than last year for outdoor activities.

 

[jgon842]

Nice! What kind of camper do you have and what sort of camping do you do? I need to start reserving spots at my favorite places... I think this summer is gonna be even more crazy than last year for outdoor activities.

We tent camped until 2 years ago. Now this is how we do it, but we still go to no water/power locations with a single pit toilet. We can do pretty much anything with a 19ft camper.

 

[deaddweeb]

@deaddweeb for the best penguin viewing experience/recommendations in the area.

Also, don't call it Pike's Place. It's Pike Place Market. Only lame tourists call it Pike's Place. Don't be that guy...

As for your maze running, I had no idea that existed so I decided to google Rain City Jacks. You sonofabitch - now I'm fired.

Do nature stuff in the rain, drink great beers, and eat delicious food. That's the Seattle way...

View attachment 122529

Honestly didn’t know the zoo does a private penguin viewing. that’s pretty much all I can suggest for penguin related.

I am born and raised here. I call it Pikes Place or the market.

Going to join Rain City Jacks though.

 

[ObeyTheNoodle]

We tent camped until 2 years ago. Now this is how we do it, but we still go to no water/power locations with a single pit toilet. We can do pretty much anything with a 19ft camper.

That's a super nice setup! Is it a single or double push out?

I was primarily a tent camper too but I picked up a small pop-up trailer a few years ago after a particularly bad tent camping experience in the rain. It's just my wife, me, and the dog so we don't need anything too big. Was considering a toy hauler but I love my old Taco and didn't want to get a new rig just to tow. So with the goals of small, lightweight, and needing to pack a couple of motorcycles in the bed we went with a small pop-up. Since I've bought it I flipped the axles to give it more clearance on the fire roads/trails, installed a solar system, and have an auxiliary hot water system for showers. It does kinda suck still having to setup/break down like tent camping but it's not too bad.

You got a favorite camp spot? I think my favorite place (outside of the dry camping areas where we go dirtbiking) is Alta Lake. If you haven't checked that place out, I highly recommend it!

 

[ObeyTheNoodle]

I am born and raised here. I call it Pikes Place or the market.

 

[chornelium]

I'm headed to seattle in 6 weeks for all the typical tourist shit.

Zoo - Private penguin encounter for the kids
Whales
Pike's Place tour
maybe something in the mountains, that german town maybe
Rain City Jacks for some maze running

Anything I need to do that's not on this list to get the full tourest experience?

How many in your group?

The Seattle Underground Your is really cool, basically it's the old street level where all the OG hotel lobby's, businesses and store fronts were before the city raised the street level like 15 feet fix the huge dirt/mud pothole problem.. some intersections we're basically ponds. The tour is historic and really interesting

The Museum of Flight is one of the best flight museums in the country.. there's an old 707 AirForce One, SR-71 Blackbird and a ton of other rad planes along with a Lunar exhibit. From the museum you can look over Boeing Field and there's usually pretty good traffic there so it's fun to watch.

Yeah, Leavenworth is great. Try to stay up there for a night at least, it's a beautiful town to spend time in and walk around, don't rush it.

Taking the ferry over to Bremerton is fun, there is a big naval base there and a few warships you can tour (USS Turner Joy), lots of subs and the USS Hornet which was the plane Jimmy DoLittle took off from for the retaliatory attack on Japan after Pearl Harbor's attack.

The Ballard Locks are a lot of fun, there's an underground area with big glass walls where you can see salmon swimming up a ladder into Lake Union. Beautiful area and park.

Tolouse Petite is a wonderful french/creole fusion restaurant on Lower Queen Anne. Incredible food, drinks and atmosphere.

Ba Bar on Capitol Hiss has some of the best Asian food around, very innovative menu.

Humble Pie is an outdoor wood fired pizza joint my buddy owns, all sustainable stuff with chickens on site along with a garden and beers on tap. Fun spot to hang out. Excellent pizza.

Lake Union Park is fun, Kenmore Air (seaplanes that fly up the San Juan Islands and offer scenic flights) all depart from there.. it's pretty fun to watch. You can also rent kayaks or charter boat rides if you want to cruise around the water.

 

[jgon842]

That's a super nice setup! Is it a single or double push out?

I was primarily a tent camper too but I picked up a small pop-up trailer a few years ago after a particularly bad tent camping experience in the rain. It's just my wife, me, and the dog so we don't need anything too big. Was considering a toy hauler but I love my old Taco and didn't want to get a new rig just to tow. So with the goals of small, lightweight, and needing to pack a couple of motorcycles in the bed we went with a small pop-up. Since I've bought it I flipped the axles to give it more clearance on the fire roads/trails, installed a solar system, and have an auxiliary hot water system for showers. It does kinda suck still having to setup/break down like tent camping but it's not too bad.

You got a favorite camp spot? I think my favorite place (outside of the dry camping areas where we go dirtbiking) is Alta Lake. If you haven't checked that place out, I highly recommend it!

I have never been to Alta lake, Last time I was out there was for the Dirty Face Fire back in like 06'. Rimrock is nice but gets crowed. We go down south to Cat Creek / Walupt lake area, and out NW by the Ho / Queetz, public Beach areas about 30 mins away, and on the inner side near Dos Wallops but really it depends on time of year on where we go. We have a First come First serve site that we absolutely love but there is only 8 sites and it is 3 hours from Tumwater/Olympia.

 

[VipZ28]

@deaddweeb
As for your maze running, I had no idea that existed so I decided to google Rain City Jacks. You sonofabitch - now I'm fired.

GOT 'EM!

 

[VipZ28]

How many in your group?

The Seattle Underground Your is really cool, basically it's the old street level where all the OG hotel lobby's, businesses and store fronts were before the city raised the street level like 15 feet fix the huge dirt/mud pothole problem.. some intersections we're basically ponds. The tour is historic and really interesting

The Museum of Flight is one of the best flight museums in the country.. there's an old 707 AirForce One, SR-71 Blackbird and a ton of other rad planes along with a Lunar exhibit. From the museum you can look over Boeing Field and there's usually pretty good traffic there so it's fun to watch.

Yeah, Leavenworth is great. Try to stay up there for a night at least, it's a beautiful town to spend time in and walk around, don't rush it.

Taking the ferry over to Bremerton is fun, there is a big naval base there and a few warships you can tour (USS Turner Joy), lots of subs and the USS Hornet which was the plane Jimmy DoLittle took off from for the retaliatory attack on Japan after Pearl Harbor's attack.

The Ballard Locks are a lot of fun, there's an underground area with big glass walls where you can see salmon swimming up a ladder into Lake Union. Beautiful area and park.

Tolouse Petite is a wonderful french/creole fusion restaurant on Lower Queen Anne. Incredible food, drinks and atmosphere.

Ba Bar on Capitol Hiss has some of the best Asian food around, very innovative menu.

Humble Pie is an outdoor wood fired pizza joint my buddy owns, all sustainable stuff with chickens on site along with a garden and beers on tap. Fun spot to hang out. Excellent pizza.

Lake Union Park is fun, Kenmore Air (seaplanes that fly up the San Juan Islands and offer scenic flights) all depart from there.. it's pretty fun to watch. You can also rent kayaks or charter boat rides if you want to cruise around the water.

8 of us, ages 7-15 on the kids, and 38-42 on the adults Fuck we're old.

I had no idea about the FLight museum, IN ON THAT! Also appreciate the parks and the restaurant suggestions.

 

[deaddweeb]

Knowing this state your trip will be ruined due to our dumbass governor and covid restrictions.

 

[turbo35]

8 of us, ages 7-15 on the kids, and 38-42 on the adults Fuck we're old.

I had no idea about the FLight museum, IN ON THAT! Also appreciate the parks and the restaurant suggestions.

It's fucking awesome. I don't particularly like airplanes or museums and I could spend all day there and still not see everything I wanted

 

[TheStryder]

I'm headed to seattle in 6 weeks for all the typical tourist shit.

Zoo - Private penguin encounter for the kids
Whales
Pike's Place tour
maybe something in the mountains, that german town maybe
Rain City Jacks for some maze running

Anything I need to do that's not on this list to get the full tourest experience?

Is the Pike Place tour a guided eating one? I saw a crew a couple of weeks ago eating cheese at Beecher's.

• I don't think you need a tour guide for Pike Place, the vendors and stalls are pretty self-explanatory. Try to go during the weekdays to avoid the crazy tourist lines at Piroshky Piroshky and Starbucks. Hopefully you and your family are fully vaccinated, there's no concept of social distancing there. Get yourself a ginger beer at Rachel's, and/or try to reserve a table at Pink Door.
• Hit up Kerry Park for a decent view of the Seattle skyline. Lots of people go there for pictures. The Greys Anatomy intern house is right up the street, but it's nothing amazing.
• If you like Jimi Hendrix, Pearl Jam, or Kurt Cobain then hit up MoPOP.
• I'm actually going to Leavenworth in a couple of weeks so I can share some photos here with the PNW crew.

All I got for now.

 

[VipZ28]

Knowing this state your trip will be ruined due to our dumbass governor and covid restrictions.

We're all vaccinated, most of the kids too from a vaccine study, so... I think we're fine as long as shit stays open

 

[deaddweeb]

We're all vaccinated, most of the kids too from a vaccine study, so... I think we're fine as long as shit stays open

Vaccinated or not, the governor is fucking everyone over.

 

[VipZ28]

Is the Pike Place tour a guided eating one? I saw a crew a couple of weeks ago eating cheese at Beecher's.

• I don't think you need a tour guide for Pike Place, the vendors and stalls are pretty self-explanatory. Try to go during the weekdays to avoid the crazy tourist lines at Piroshky Piroshky and Starbucks. Hopefully you and your family are fully vaccinated, there's no concept of social distancing there. Get yourself a ginger beer at Rachel's, and/or try to reserve a table at Pink Door.
• Hit up Kerry Park for a decent view of the Seattle skyline. Lots of people go there for pictures. The Greys Anatomy intern house is right up the street, but it's nothing amazing.
• If you like Jimi Hendrix, Pearl Jam, or Kurt Cobain then hit up MoPOP.
• I'm actually going to Leavenworth in a couple of weeks so I can share some photos here with the PNW crew.

All I got for now.

It's a guided with with some private chef dining experience thing, I dunno I'd have to ask on that one. MoPOP is on our list as well for sure.

 

[TheStryder]

My neighbor just sold their house. He listed it for $585k and to make things easier, went out of town for the week while his agent did a limited 72-hour showing. When he came back, over 100 people had visited the house and he had received dozens of offers. He ended up selling it for $660k with zero inspection, no warranty, or any other stipulations. 30-day closing and they get to stay in the house an additional month rent-free. Shit's crazy, man.

Dumb, obvious question: If you're buying a home with zero inspection, aren't you on the hook for damages after the deal closes? Termites, asbestos, rot, mold, faulty wiring, the list goes on?

 

[TheStryder]

How many in your group?

The Seattle Underground Your is really cool, basically it's the old street level where all the OG hotel lobby's, businesses and store fronts were before the city raised the street level like 15 feet fix the huge dirt/mud pothole problem.. some intersections we're basically ponds. The tour is historic and really interesting

The Museum of Flight is one of the best flight museums in the country.. there's an old 707 AirForce One, SR-71 Blackbird and a ton of other rad planes along with a Lunar exhibit. From the museum you can look over Boeing Field and there's usually pretty good traffic there so it's fun to watch.

Yeah, Leavenworth is great. Try to stay up there for a night at least, it's a beautiful town to spend time in and walk around, don't rush it.

Taking the ferry over to Bremerton is fun, there is a big naval base there and a few warships you can tour (USS Turner Joy), lots of subs and the USS Hornet which was the plane Jimmy DoLittle took off from for the retaliatory attack on Japan after Pearl Harbor's attack.

The Ballard Locks are a lot of fun, there's an underground area with big glass walls where you can see salmon swimming up a ladder into Lake Union. Beautiful area and park.

Tolouse Petite is a wonderful french/creole fusion restaurant on Lower Queen Anne. Incredible food, drinks and atmosphere.

Ba Bar on Capitol Hiss has some of the best Asian food around, very innovative menu.

Humble Pie is an outdoor wood fired pizza joint my buddy owns, all sustainable stuff with chickens on site along with a garden and beers on tap. Fun spot to hang out. Excellent pizza.

Lake Union Park is fun, Kenmore Air (seaplanes that fly up the San Juan Islands and offer scenic flights) all depart from there.. it's pretty fun to watch. You can also rent kayaks or charter boat rides if you want to cruise around the water.

Gonna throw in Whidbey Island then,. Little towns sprinkled all over, for sightseeing and snacks. Fun way to spend a half day.

 

[ObeyTheNoodle]

GOT 'EM!

I was like we have mazes here? Dang, that might be a fun stoner activity to do with friends! You fucking got me...

 

[ObeyTheNoodle]

Dumb, obvious question: If you're buying a home with zero inspection, aren't you on the hook for damages after the deal closes? Termites, asbestos, rot, mold, faulty wiring, the list goes on?

Yep. Basically you are buying it as is without any room for negotiations based on what your inspector finds out.

Cash offers
No inspections
Decline the warranty
Buyer pays all closing costs
30-day close

This is the way of the Seattle housing market right now.

Anything new with your search? Are you able to find homes in your price range? From what I've seen, if you're looking to spend $700k on a home, you will need to find one in the low $600k range and then make your best offer. Lots of stuff like that available in the South King County area...

 

[TheStryder]

Yep. Basically you are buying it as is without any room for negotiations based on what your inspector finds out.

Cash offers
No inspections
Decline the warranty
Buyer pays all closing costs
30-day close

This is the way of the Seattle housing market right now.

Anything new with your search? Are you able to find homes in your price range? From what I've seen, if you're looking to spend $700k on a home, you will need to find one in the low $600k range and then make your best offer. Lots of stuff like that available in the South King County area...

Not yet. Got married a little over a week ago, and accepted a job offer last Friday, so other things in life are coming up fast. We need a mortgage specialist and probably an accountant too.

Any downsides with living in Renton? We never considered it. Affordability aside, ideally we're ranking (based on our lifestyle, commute, needs, etc.:

1. Redmond
2. Bellevue
3. Woodinville
4. Bothell
5. Edmonds
6. Lynnwood

Even Bothell is getting hard to buy into on a $600k budget.

 

[chornelium]

Gonna throw in Whidbey Island then,. Little towns sprinkled all over, for sightseeing and snacks. Fun way to spend a half day.

Yeah, was just there after spending time with the fiancé out at Ocean Shores... We took the 101 up, past Lake Crescent and Port Angeles and stayed the night in Port Townsend. Took the ferry over to Coupville and headed back north to Anacortes and ferry'd back home to San Juan Island.

Deception Pass is beautiful. They are working on the bridge right now so you can only walk across one side of it.

The Pickles Deli in Langley has BANGIN sandwiches. Definitely pop in there next time you're rolling through Whidbey Island.

 

[ObeyTheNoodle]

Not yet. Got married a little over a week ago, and accepted a job offer last Friday, so other things in life are coming up fast. We need a mortgage specialist and probably an accountant too.

Any downsides with living in Renton? We never considered it. Affordability aside, ideally we're ranking (based on our lifestyle, commute, needs, etc.:

1. Redmond
2. Bellevue
3. Woodinville
4. Bothell
5. Edmonds
6. Lynnwood

Even Bothell is getting hard to buy into on a $600k budget.

Congrats on getting married and the new job! That's a lot of adulting in a short amount of time!

I like living in Renton but I know the dirty south isn't for everyone. Heck, before I moved here I didn't think it was for me but I couldn't stand the hoity-toity sterile-ness of the Eastside and while I would love to live in Edmonds, I didn't want to deal with driving south on I5 or 405 to my job. Renton is kind of a weird town in that there are like 3 parts of it. You've got the old-school downtown area which has some really cool old houses and the charm that goes with them (@turbo35 lives in this area) - plus you're close to Lake Washington and the good times there. You've got the Renton Highlands area which is where most people live - lots of new construction here but the lots are tiny and the houses are stacked. Then you've got the Renton/Fairwood area (where I live) which is on the other side of the Renton Highlands - it's mostly older/established neighborhoods with the occasional shitty apartment complex and accompanying random drive-by shooting or murder. I don't have any kids so I really don't know anything about the schools in this area but they're probably not the best... My commute when I worked in Redmond was about 30 minutes and was about the same when I had to drive into Seattle.

All of the locations on your list are nice although I wouldn't consider Lynnwood. There's a reason it's also known as Lynnhood...

 

[TheStryder]

Congrats on getting married and the new job! That's a lot of adulting in a short amount of time!

I like living in Renton but I know the dirty south isn't for everyone. Heck, before I moved here I didn't think it was for me but I couldn't stand the hoity-toity sterile-ness of the Eastside and while I would love to live in Edmonds, I didn't want to deal with driving south on I5 or 405 to my job. Renton is kind of a weird town in that there are like 3 parts of it. You've got the old-school downtown area which has some really cool old houses and the charm that goes with them (@turbo35 lives in this area) - plus you're close to Lake Washington and the good times there. You've got the Renton Highlands area which is where most people live - lots of new construction here but the lots are tiny and the houses are stacked. Then you've got the Renton/Fairwood area (where I live) which is on the other side of the Renton Highlands - it's mostly older/established neighborhoods with the occasional shitty apartment complex and accompanying random drive-by shooting or murder. I don't have any kids so I really don't know anything about the schools in this area but they're probably not the best... My commute when I worked in Redmond was about 30 minutes and was about the same when I had to drive into Seattle.

All of the locations on your list are nice although I wouldn't consider Lynnwood. There's a reason it's also known as Lynnhood...

So that's the thing, my new job is downtown Seattle and we're expected to be 4/5 days a week by September. For now I'd walk to the park and ride in Redmond and bus in, which is ~30 minutes door to door. If we get a place in Edmonds it's gonna be I5 all day for me.

I love the trail accessibility in Redmond, and getting to cycle Lake Sammamish AND Lake Washington.

A shame to say, my only experience with Lynnwood is Alderwood Mall and it's so bloody far. What I heard about Bothell was that schools will get better with the demographic moving in, and Juanita doesn't seem bad from the few times I've been there.

 

[TheStryder]

Yeah, was just there after spending time with the fiancé out at Ocean Shores... We took the 101 up, past Lake Crescent and Port Angeles and stayed the night in Port Townsend. Took the ferry over to Coupville and headed back north to Anacortes and ferry'd back home to San Juan Island.

Deception Pass is beautiful. They are working on the bridge right now so you can only walk across one side of it.

The Pickles Deli in Langley has BANGIN sandwiches. Definitely pop in there next time you're rolling through Whidbey Island.

My wife dragged me to the tulip festival a couple of weeks ago. Our time slot was early, but we didn't have to deal with a big crowd. Gotta admit, we got some nice photos out there and it was sunny and nice.

 

[Francis96se]

Good luck, we made the difficult decision to purchase a house in Bellevue late 2020. Prices were so high, it was a seller's market and we got outbid 3 times. Thankfully the market remains hot but it won't last forever....