Steepest Street in Seattle

If you are a local you are familiar with the joy of Seattle streets and if you are visiting and plan on renting a car, let's just say you were warned. It can be overwhelming to try and navigate our crazy shaped neighborhoods, but it is also something that gives Seattle some of its charm. 

A while back we were doing some research and found out the steepest street in Seattle is E. Roy St. in Capitol Hill Between 25th and 26th Ave. E. We obviously had to go check it out seeing as this is something right up our alley, a quirky, little-known spot in the city. With a 26% slope it becomes pretty hilarious/terrifying to visit. Once you arrive it is so fun to look at all the houses built on this massive hill and imagine how awesome these residents' calf muscles must be. 

If you want some other things to do when you go check it out we also recommend the Haunted Coke Machine (written about on the blog here) or grabbing a bite to eat at Cafe Flora or for a sweet snack Hello Robin (Mackles'more and Birthday Cake are our favs).

PNW Hikes: Lake Twenty-two

You know those hikes in the Pacific Northwest that make you feel like you are in some sort of theme park that perfected the experience? Lake Twentytwo is one of those hikes. It is incredible. 

This time of year is a really nice time to head over. The trail starts near Granite Falls, WA, in the North Cascades and is classified as "moderate" for hikers, which we would agree with primarily because it is a bit longer, but it isn't actually very steep or strenuous. You can take it at your own pace, but if you are like us you will want to make sure you don't forget snacks (snacks should just be a constant every day in life). The trail to the top has waterfalls, it has dense moss and greenery, it has rock fields (is there a technical term for this? probably), and ample plants to identify for all you botanists out there. Once you arrive at the top you have a stunning view of Lake Twentytwo and Mount Pilchuk. We recommend giving yourself a pat on the back when you arrive with some Bandit boxed wine (yup, classy ladies writing this blog).

Don't forget: Northwest Forest Pass required. If you don't have one and you are planning to hike a lot, definitely invest in one. You can find more info here.

Last tip, we LOVE Washington Trail Association's hike summaries. We usually just skip to the bottom and read the trip summaries by hikers who have been out in the last week or two. That will give you the most up to date, accurate information about trail conditions, etc. 

Recap: Arcade Lights

Every attendee gets a souvenir glass to take home.

Any opportunity we have to eat food in excess and drink a variety of alcohol is an opportunity we don't miss. Enter Arcade Lights.

Every year Pike Place Market hosts this amazing event in the main arcade to raise money for the Pike Place Market Foundation. The Pike Place Market Foundation is a non-profit located in the market that supports a number of different initiatives like the Market Food Bank, the senior living located in the market, and the preschool. It is a great organization, so it made the $60 ticket price for the event much easier to stomach. 

After the market closes for the day tons of vendors come out to serve guests sweet and savory food as well as alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages (34 food vendors and 30 drink vendors to be exact).

We fasted all day Friday to make sure our stomachs were fully prepared for the amount of calories we were going to consume (by fasted I mean ate slightly smaller meals, we can't not eat all day, are you crazy?!). When we arrived it was already packed and the lines were long for each stall, but with some serious dedication (for the research!) we visited every stall and tried something from everyone (it was tough, good thing we fasted).

Our favorites: The Malbec wine from Wildridge Winery, the meatballs from Some Like It Hot, and the BBQ Salmon from Etta's.

Our advice for future attendees: Invest in the early entry ticket or the VIP ticket. The only negative from our night was the shoulder to shoulder crowds. If you pay a little extra you can get in early and snag the goodies sans lines.

Etta's BBQ'd salmon with mushrooms.

Mini cupcakes from Cupcake Royale (Salted Caramel FTW!)

Orange white wine spritzer from Storyville.

Serious prepping.

Lots of long lines.

Grilling in the street has never tasted so good.

A PNW Guide to Sustainable Shopping

We are not preachy people here at Rain or Shine Guides. We know when it comes to sustainability it takes some discipline, and we are all human. We have been known to eat crappy processed food (Read: we break down and eat goldfish crackers all the time), and to drive when riding the bus or walking would be better for the environment (Read: Only when it rains...). 

Lately though, like the rest of the world, we have been trying to take notice and support businesses who think about the health of the planet when producing their goods. Since there is only one known planet we can live on in this universe, and it's the one we are on, we should probably take care of it. That is unless Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk figure out how to move to another planet, which in that case we can all take hour long showers and burn our trash in the backyard.

Since successful billionaire space projects are still a bit doubtful at this point we have put together a list of places you can shop locally (support small business!) that are also sustainable (save the planet!). 

Home and Office

Good and Well Supply Co. creates small batch, soy candles with 100% natural ingredients. Plus they smell like you are sitting in a forest filled with lavender and rainbows.

Coco Beza makes natural and organic skin care products. We particularly enjoy the Rain City soaps. 

Tirto Furniture uses mostly salvaged materials to construct their uniquely stunning furniture. If it isn't recycled materials, then they use sustainable wood.

Pike Street Press is an awesome shop beneath Pike Place Market that creates stellar prints with environmentally friendly methods. And it smells cool.

Food and Drink 

Theo Chocolate is one of the world leaders in promoting organic cocoa beans and Fair Trade practices for the bean farmers. In addition they also do a lot to give back to developing communities that are involved in their growing process.

Pike Place Fish Market is the only fish market in Pike Place Market that is 100% sustainable. Head down and get the guys to throw your fish over the counter and know it is the highest quality.

Ballard Bee Company places beehives around the urban and rural Seattle area and then farms fresh honey from them. You could be eating honey that was from a hive in your neighborhood!

Wei Kitchen specializes in Vietnamese cooking and all their products are 100% homemade, all natural, and use organic and local ingredients whenever possible. Add some serious awesome to your dinner.

Clothing and Beauty

NUBE Green boasts they make "going green a little easier." All products sold in their store are repurposed and organic materials. 

El Sage Designs follows quality and ethical manufacturing practices and also donates 1% of all their profits to various non-profits working to better the planet.

Prairie Underground has comfortable collections with cool lines and unique cuts. Best part? Everything is made from organic materials. Hi-ya!

Proper Northwest wants quality, not quantity when compiling their goods, so they use ethical, local, and sustainable products. 

Specks and Keepings lets you wear your art, with every garment hand sewn and beautifully designed. All textiles are ethically sourced.

Handmade La Conner is a small beauty and skincare shop in the PNW that uses all natural ingredients to make their heavenly-smelling goodies! 

Make It Good is a Portland shop that uses only high quality materials from the good ole U-S-of-A. Bonus? Their stuff is super cute.

For The Family

Adventure Day Treats makes all natural treats as well as toys made from recycled goods. Maggie is a big fan.

Snooterdoots is this strange and amazing company that has made up an entire species to entertain your kids to no end (imagination not included). The felt toys are made in a way that is easy on the environment.

Bootyland Kids says it the best themselves, they are a kids toy and clothing company giving consumers a "space to access products created in a variety of sustainable ways. Including organics, hemp, fair trade, PVC free, locally made, reconstructed, and vintage all with an urban appeal." Nice. 

The Pacific Northwest is FULL of amazing producers who work in a way to minimize their impact on the planet and bring us sustainable products. We know we couldn't name them all in a single post and there are probably a million we don't even know about, so share your favorites with us in the comments!