Exploring Washington State

Darren Chromey has a passion for hiking and climbing.  During our episode he explains what it is like to summit Mount Rainier.

On his first attempt to summit Rainier he was joined by his dad and sister.  They were not successful. This only added fuel to the fire to one day summit Mount Rainier.

Since his first attempt he has successfully summited the mountain multiple times. During our conversation we chat about some of the things that one needs to successfully conquer the mountain.  

Darren shares his passion for hiking and climbing. If you've ever thought about climbing Mount Rainier or any of the other magnificent peaks we have in Washington State you will find this episode to be full of inspiration. 

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. 

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ExploringWash)

In this episode we chat with Spellemann Award winning Saxophone player Paul Sawtelle.

Paul has been playing Sax for over 30 years touring the world and performing in front sold out audiences where ever he plays.

After a sports injury derailed his athletic scholarship Paul turned to music full time. From playing organ in the church band to performing for President Clinton Paul has seen and done it all.

Perhaps the most interesting thing is how Paul won a Spellemann award for arranging the horns on a Danish blues band album that was being recorded in Seattle.  Make sure you tune in to hear that story.

This was a fun conversation and if you enjoy music you will enjoy hearing Paul as he shares stories from his career.

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 we sat down with Bryan Reynolds and chatted about coffee, golf, and Heroic Hospitality.

Bryan and his family opened a coffee shop as a way for his father to retire early and spend more time with the foster children that the Reynolds were hosting.  Can you imagine opening a business to retire early!

Since opening their first location Anthem Coffee has grown to 8 locations serving the South Puget Sound.  With a passion for service the entire team at Anthem is dedicated to providing the best coffee, beverages, food, and hospitality you will find anywhere.

Life is not all work and no play. Bryan is an avid golfer and shares some of his favorite courses in Washington State.

If you are interested in coffee or small business this is an episode that will not disappoint. Bryan Reynolds is a great guy and it was a lot of fun to "sit down" and chat with him. 

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 we are joined by Christine Reed author of the outdoor adventure memoir Alone in Wonderland. Chronicling Christine's journey hiking the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier.

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.

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ExploringWash)

On this episode we sat down with Melody Federer and chatted about her music career as a singer/songwriter.  I even was able to drink a cup of coffee while sitting around her dining room table.

Melody has written songs for Hillary Duff, Pink, Michael Bublé and others. One name that she has worked with is Burt Bacharach who had songs performed by over 1,000 artists!  Her songs have been featured on The End KNDD FM 107.7 and other stations.

This episode is full of interesting tid bits of information and stories of what it takes to be a singer/songwriter in the music business today.

Melody enjoys living in the greater Tacoma area and getting out and Exploring Washington State.  During our chat she shares her process for writing and some of the projects that she is currently working on.

Melody does this thing called 1,000 songs for a 1,000 strangers which is how she ultimately was introduced to Bert Bacharach. You need to hear this story.

A great insight to the music business and Melody is wonderful person who has such enthusiasm about music and life.

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.

On today's episode we are chatting with Emily Ritchie from Northwest Cider Association. Emily is the Executive Director and champion of cider and cider makers in the Pacific Northwest.

Emily was a good sport as we kept her focused on Washington State cider and cider makers. The association is a non-profit that has the goals of increasing the quality of cider produced in the region, increase sales of NW cider and cultivate the community of cider enthusiasts. Throughout the Pacific Northwest the NWCA is supporting over 100 cidermakers and orchardists who are growing and making some of the best ciders in North America and the world.

We talk about a wide range of topics about cider and cider making. Did you know there is a Lost Apple Project? How do you feel about hops in cider? Yes, hopped cider is thing. You will learn a ton about cider in this episode.

NWCA has a Cidery Map. You can plot your next cider road trip by using the map to find cideries throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. You will find out a bit about each location and what they specialize in. Truly an amazing resource to help you in your journey to Explore Washington State (and other states too.......) =)

We also chat about the Northwest Cider Club. The club is a quarterly celebration of cider that is curated and delivered straight to your door. No longer do you have to drink boring cider that you find in your local supermarket. 

The next box is the Apple Varietals Box join by August 18th 2021 to receive this limited release of ciders showcasing the heart and core of cider Apples! 

If you're into cider and want to hear more about some of the cidermakers who are doing amazing things in Washington State check out our episodes featuring

•  Peter Ringsrud of Snowdrift Cider
•  Andrew Handley of Union Hill Cider
• Locust Cider & Brewing Founder Jason Spears
• PNW Cider Girl Ava Davis

 Thanks for tuning into this week’s 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.

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ExploringWash)

Brian Jennings joins us for this episode. Brian is photographer who has captured images throughout out Washington State.

Brian grew up in the Spokane area and spent his professional career in TV and Radio in Oregon and Washington.  Now Brian explores Washington State and the rest of the U.S. and captures amazing images with his camera.

We chat about Washington State and some of the special places Brian enjoys visiting to capture images with his camera.  The Palouse is a special place and Brian shares a lot of stories about his journeys in that area of the state.

If you like to hear about off the beaten path places, and if you have an interest in photography you will love this episode.

Make sure you take a look at Brian's photography on his website.

There are so 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. 

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ExploringWash)

Regan Lane is a Tacoma area musician who has had a long musical career.  In this episode we chat about his musical career from the present to the past. We also talk about life in Tacoma and other interesting topics. Of course, coffee is mentioned.

Regan shares stories of his journey of sobriety and how it has influenced his musical journey.

Currently Regan is creating music under the band name Soda Cracker Jesus.  SCJ is best described as where energy meets euphoria in a two and a half minute sonic workout. (admittedly stolen directly from the bio on SJC.). Make sure you check out the videos for My Anthem and Drug My Soul.

In addition to SJC Regan is the singer for Strangely Alright. Billed as sonic time-travelers SA is a band that paints paisley patterned pictures that are both rooted in psychedelia and in optimistic kindness.  We were able to recently take in a set by Strangely Alright and it was not just alright but downright amazing!

Regan started his musical career in a band in Tacoma named Baby Knockors, after Baby Knockers, he joins the band Strypes and became a musical mainstay in the Puget Sound.

Regan is a great story teller and you will find yourself learning so much about the process of making music and growing as both a performer and a human.

This is truly an inspiring episode and we are grateful that Regan took the time to hang out with us.

There are so 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. 

Snowdrift Cider Company founder Peters Ringsrud is our guest for this episode.  Peter is one of the original commercial cider makers in Washington State.

Are you a fan of world class Cider? How about a Perry made using the Champagne method? Snowdrift Cider Company has you covered.

This episode is full of information on Cider making. If you want to know how your cider is being made listen in to Peter as he talks about some of the steps in making his award winning ciders.  Did you know that the Perry that Snowdrift makes is aged in the bottle and is turned by hand just like the best Champagne in the world?

We are sitting outside the Snowdrift tasting room during our conversation.  You will hear the sounds from a working orchard throughout the episode.

Cider fans this one 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.        

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ExploringWash)

Garret Hunt is our guest in this episode of the podcast. Garret is the co-founder of Live In Everett.   

Garret is a true fan of Everett and it shines through as he shares some great places to see and things to do in Everett.

We learn his must see places for out of town guests.  For guests with kids he start off at Flying Squirrel.  Then take the Boeing Tour at Paine Field Check out Funko and get your pop culture fix.

Find out about some great pizza, tacos, and most importantly coffee shops in Everett.
Garret brings the goods and shares a ton of great places for you to check out.

Learn about Fish Boi the mascot of Live in Everett.  Imagine a fish on a bicycle as your mascot!  Brilliant!

We are excited to visit Everett soon and check out Garret's recommendations.  You should check out Everett too!

There are so 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. 

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ExploringWash)