Exploring Washington State

Troy Moss and Jerry Kenyon recently climbed Mount Rainier to recreate the expedition of Lt. August V. Kautz, who was nearly the first person to summit Rainier in 1857. They're here to describe that event.

Troy describes the process that they use to prepare for the historical expeditions. One of their first adventures included an impromptu tour of Top Stall Llama farm while Jerry's battery in his e-bike was recharging. Apparently, one of the llamas became rather attached to Troy. Jerry assured us there were pictures on the internet. We try not to judge.

With descriptions of both the historical journey, and of their recreation, the stories are sure to impress.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of the Exploring Washington State Podcast! If the information in our conversations and interviews are enjoyable and valuable to you, please head over to iTunes, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more amazing listeners just like you!

If you want to read about some of the many amazing places to explore in Washington State, you should just pack your bags and go! Explore Washington State is the perfect place for inspiration.  Check it out today.

Erica Kutz is a freelance graphic designer, art director, and producer as Mountainmind. She represents outdoor brands as an ambassador including Kona Bike and Arc'teryx. She tells us about snowboarding and splitboarding in the North Cascades.

Erica talks about growing up snowboarding and skiing, and more recently split boarding. She explains how she approaches testing the slopes before starting a day on the back country slopes. Erica mentions areas off Highway 20 as favorite areas to go snowboarding.

Erica told us about going to Revelstoke's Split Fest to visit the Powder Highway as her most amazing week of snowboarding. She goes on to give us a history lesson on split boarding.

On the graphic design side of her career, Erica talked about working for various companies such as Zoomies and Microsoft.

Places:

• Maryhill
• Alpental
• Snoqualmie Pass
• Crystal Mountain

Scott sits down with Seattle author and podcaster Ronit Plank to chat about her writing and podcast. The discussion wanders through her writing career and how it transitioned into podcasting.

Ronit got her start writing short works for stage while working at the Actors Gang in Los Angeles performing improv. Once she moved to Seattle, she became interested in writing and took classes at the University of Washington Extension for fiction. After writing some short fiction she became more interested in memoirs and non-fiction. More recently, Ronit writes a lot of parenting articles. Her thesis paper became the foundation of her memoir When She Comes Back.

Ronit talks about her first podcast, And Then Everything Changed, describing the ideas and methods. She then talks about her current podcast, Lets Talk Memoir and how she prepares for each guest.

WARNING: This episode mentions Oregon multiple times. Kidding. But no, really.

Matt Jorgensen joins Scott for an episode discussing topics ranging through his long career as a drummer and composer. From local high school student learning drums to successful musician writing, producing, and performing in various well known commercial jingles.

Matt talked about meeting his wife in New York and convincing her to come out to Seattle just in time for the Rockabilly Ball in Ballard. He also talked about building Origin Records through connections with local musicians.

Matt and Scott talked about Matt's current recording projects, and what it's like to record with the restrictions imposed by COVID.

Note: We had an unplanned break in the middle of the interview due to a host issue.

People:

Places:

The advertising of Rainier Beer spawned many cult classic commercials in the Northwest. Our guests got into the idea of documenting the ads after collecting Rainier Beer swag for their bar and asking the question where can we get the original film of the commercials?

The Petersons describe the origin of the Rainier Room at the bar, after they filled it with all of the memorabilia they could find relating to Rainier Beer. The room has a TV running all of the ads on a loop, and quickly became a fan favorite.

The team described the long adventure to locating the original film of the commercials. From cold calling people who might have been involved, to tracking down agencies, to the final fortuitous encounter with the Washington State Historical Society.

Recorded on location and includes several audio clips from Rainier ads.

People:

• Justin and Rob Peterson, executive producers
• Isaac Olson, director

Places:

• The Eleven Eleven Bar
• Washington State Historical Society

Support the project:

You can support the project and get some great Rainier Beer Swag. Check out the Kickstarter Campaign Page.

Scott talks with Brooks Smothers, host of the RV Out West podcast which discusses RV travel in Washington State. Brooks describes many of the adventures that led him to get a trailer and start his podcast.

Brooks lived in Washington until the age of twenty-five when he tried living in other parts of the country, including the Virgin Islands, and California Bay Area. He returned to Washington in 2010 with his wife and started a family.

Brooks talks about enjoying football when the Seahawks played the Philadelphia Eagles (his wife is from Philly) and growing up in a camping family both tent camping and backpacking. Scott asks about the Big Journey, shipping a VW camper to St Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Brooks then describes what brought him to starting the RV Out West podcast and explains the goal of the podcast.

Places mentioned:

• Lincoln Rock state park near Wenatchee
• Curlew Lake in Republic
• Cape Disappointment at the mouth of the Columbia
• Deception Pass, Whidbey Island
• Stevens Pass for Winter camping

Thanks for tuning into this episode of the Exploring Washington State Podcast! If the information in our conversations and interviews are enjoyable and valuable to you, please head over to iTunes, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more amazing listeners just like you!

If you want to read about some of the many amazing places to explore in Washington State, you should just pack your bags and go! Explore Washington State is the perfect place for inspiration.  Check it out today.

In this episode of the Exploring Washington State Podcast we sit down with the dynamic and creative force behind White Branches Tea Room, Mr. Matthew White! Matthew has lived a life full of adventure, from driving across the US from Washington to Houston to more recently bringing the magic of theater to the quaint town of Mount Vernon, Washington.

Join us as Matthew shares with us his journey as a former merchandise director for Teatro ZinZanni, starting his own business called Brainstorming for events and weddings, and later partnering with Teatro ZinZanni in retail. His love for events eventually led him to the town of Mount Vernon where he found the perfect space to create White Branches.

Matthew tells us all about this beautiful space, how he transformed it from an old dinner theater with no stage to a theatrical production venue where guests walk through the stage to get to their seats. We learn about the Cabaret room, a fanciful circus-like space where guests can experience different nighttime ambiances. And of course, we get to hear all about his magical plans for the Villain Queens Cabaret this coming October.

We also dive into the inspiration behind the theater's logo, which features a white rabbit jackalope with antlers as branches. Matthew shares how the logo's connection to Wonderland helps guide his decision-making, and we get to hear about some unforgettable events that have taken place within the venue's walls.

But more than just a discussion about events and magic, this episode truly showcases Matthew's heart for community. Through his work at White Branches, Matthew wants to empower people to connect and communicate through shared experiences. We talk about the importance of laughter and art, especially during these difficult times.

So pour yourself a cup of tea and join us as we journey through the wonderland that is White Branches Tea Room, with the exceptional Matthew White leading the way.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of the Exploring Washington State Podcast! If the information in our conversations and interviews are enjoyable and valuable to you, please head over to iTunes, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more amazing listeners just like you!

If you want to read about some of the many amazing places to explore in Washington State, you should just pack your bags and go! Explore Washington State is the perfect place for inspiration.  Check it out today.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of the Exploring Washington State Podcast! If the information in our conversations and interviews are enjoyable and valuable to you, please head over to iTunes, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more amazing listeners just like you!

If you want to read about some of the many amazing places to explore in Washington State, you should just pack your bags and go! Explore Washington State is the perfect place for inspiration.    Check it out today.

Seattle area author Brad Holden talking about his latest book Lost Roadhouses of Seattle.  Brad co-wrote the book with Peter Blecha.

Brad is an Author. Historian. Finder of Old Things.

During our conversation we talk about Brad's fascination with Seattle's seedy past. Brad has written three books and he calls them his trilogy.

Seattle Mystic Alfred M. Hubbard: Inventor, Bootlegger, & Psychedelic Pioneer: Perpetual motion machines, booklegging, first radio station in Seattle and LSD.

Seattle Prohibition: Bootleggers, Rumrunners, & Graft in the Queen City: The story of prohibition in Seattle. The personalities, the exploits, and the adventures.

All three books are well researched and tell the story of Seattle's battle with booze during the 1920's Brad has an ability to make the history come alive.  All three books are page turners.

Brad is also one of the hosts of the podcast Dim Lights & Stiff Drinks. The podcast talks abou the history of the eccentric collection of dive bars, historic taverns, and interesting drinking establishments in the Seattle, WA area. Each episode is recorded in the bar featured in the episode.  Highly entertaining and informative.

Listen as Brad shares his backstory and how history has always been important to him. One enjoyable tidbit is the story of when Brad saw his book in a store for the first time.

If you like history, seedy bars, and tall tales this episode is for you!

Thanks for tuning into this episode of the Exploring Washington State Podcast! If the information in our conversations and interviews are enjoyable and valuable to you, please head over to iTunes, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more amazing listeners just like you!

If you want to read about some of the many amazing places to explore in Washington State, you should just pack your bags and go! Explore Washington State is the perfect place for inspiration.    Check it out today.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of the Exploring Washington State Podcast! If the information in our conversations and interviews are enjoyable and valuable to you, please head over to iTunes, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more amazing listeners just like you!

If you want to read about some of the many amazing places to explore in Washington State, you should just pack your bags and go! Explore Washington State is the perfect place for inspiration.    Check it out today.