Epic Photo: Hello weekend

It's the weekend. I'm off to play.

Epic Video: Mountain Biking

Teaser for the biking video New World Disorder 9.

Memorial Day weekend in Washington

This weekend is Memorial Day. That means an extra day of freedom. What are you're plans?

Well, if you're a last minute decider, I ran the numbers, Googled the results, and added my own bias into the mix and in no paticular order, here are the JustSON Top 10 Washington state destinations for the extended weekend.

1. Paradise, WA - Nothing beats Mount Rainier in my opinion. And for a long time I wanted to be a park ranger. Still might try it if this writing thing never pans out. I haven't been up to Paradise since they opened the new vistor's center. If you live in the area, and have never been up to the mountain, you're missing out on a lot.

2. Cougar, WA - Explore Mount St. Helens. There are a ton of great stuff around the area to discover, from the visitor center to the ape caves to the lava canyon.

3. Anacortes, WA - Ferry to the San Juan Islands and you won't be disappointed. This is a great trip with plenty to see. Some of the highlights include: ferry ride, scenic views, great dining, whale watching, histroic landmarks, Mount Constitution, and sea life.

4. Mazama, WA - Take a drive in the North Cascades. This 132 mile drive throught the Cascades Mountains allows breath taking views of high mountain peaks, deep valleys, waterfalls, rivers and dams. Also, get out and go for a hike in the area.

5. Seattle, WA - If you're more a one-day event person, why not hit up the city? Go to the zoo, the shops, Pikes Place Market, enjoy lunch on the waterfront, catch a Mariners game or a trip up the Space Needle.

6. Snoqualmie, WA - The Snoqualmie Falls provides a great backdrop for pictures and you could eat lunch at the lodge. Or, if you're rich, stay there. There are tons of hiking trails around the area and lots of campgrounds. Take a trip up Mount Si in nearby North Bend, or if shopping is more your thing, then check out the North Bend Outlet Mall. Also, if you like to hit the slots, you can head over to the new Snoqualmie Casino.

7. Port Angeles, WA - The Olympic National Park offers a huge range of items. This area can be explored by bike, car, foot, trail, path, kayak, canoe or even motor boat. There is so much to do here.

8. Lake Chelan, WA - The home Web site of the lake promotes 101 things to do while visiting. On this list is wineries, boating, golfing, river rafting, music, fishing, need I go on. This is one awesome place to visit.

9. Long Beach, WA - Beach. Right there. All you need to know.

10. Leavenworth, WA - Tucked in the mountains is a great little town called Levenworth. Thjs town is rich in history and caters to tourists.

Honorable mention - Brandon's house, Spokane, WA - Joking aside, Spokane is a great place to go for a weekend. The mountains are close by, golfing is all around, Spokies provide excellent entertainment and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho is just down the road.

Close call - Pullman, WA. Hanging out with Ryan Leaf. Wait, this is the BEST places to visit for the long weekend. Scratch that. I vote we just give the Pullman area to Idaho.

My date with a mountain

The day is set.

On Monday the climbing permits for Mount St. Helens went on sale. I had heard that these are the outdoors equivalent to scorching hot concert tickets, when they went on sale I bought mine.

I thought about camping out, in a sleeping bag, in front of the ranger station. But then I realized they were only sold on the Internet. So I just waited in my house. I know, lame, but warm.

Once the ticket sales window opened, I got my day. That day is June 6. Actually, Jeff Hudspeth from the Just South of North Bullpen will be joining me on this adventure. So we will be keeping track of our training and updating the readers on if we'll make it to the top or not.

(also, the dates aren't set in stone, but we'll be doing the entire 93 miles of the Wonderland Trail in mid-summer. that's the one that goes all the way around Mount Rainier. Yeah, it will be epic. And we'll keep you updated on that too)

But back to Mount St. Helens.

Here is the route we will be taking. The Monitor Ridge Route from Climbers Bivouac.

This route gains 4,500 feet in five miles to the crater rim at 8,365 feet elevation. Although strenuous, this non-technical climb is suitable for people in good physical condition who are comfortable scrambling on steep, rugged terrain. Most climbers complete the round trip in seven to twelve hours.

We are shooting for closer to the seven. And with the right training we will get there. Wait, what am I doing writing a blog? I should be hiking! June will be here before I know it. Oh well, I'll start tomorrow.

Diet Update for Brandon

For most people a diet wouldn't be the end of the world. Unless of course you're like me (22 years old and have had a steady stream of fried foods, Mountain Dew and Snicker Bars for the majority of your life). However, before I become a 300-pound diabetic, this is a necessary sacrifice.

Things have been going well with my roommate-induced diet. If anyone is interested in their own dietitian, I would recommend emailing Anna Koenig. Be prepared to pay for her extensive knowledge in healthy eating.

And keep in mind this isn't a normal diet, I'm not going Jenny Craig on anyone, I'm just turning my back on my normal diet of pizza, potato chips and Burger King Quads.

Here's a sampling of what I've been eating...

1. Eggs on English Muffins with a dash of hot sauce on it. While I've always been a fan of restaurant breakfasts with huge platters of scrambled eggs on them, a simple over-easy egg in the morning on a muffin really gives me energy in the morning when I wake up before 10 a.m. (a rarity) and go to class (also a rarity).

2. Turkey Dogs. Delicious and they won't rot my arteries into oblivion. Turkey has become my new favorite type of meat. I'm wondering if I can graduate to Turkey burgers?

3. Quesadilla. This is how bad I am at cooking. I consider making a quesadilla cooking.

4. Vegetables. God.... this is so tough.

And I've pretty much kicked out the normal selection of candy bars, jerky, chips, soda (unless its diet) and most other horrible things from my eating habits. However, in order for me to really accelerate the whole getting healthy thing I need to start exercising.

Awww crap.

I'm not sure exactly what to do but I do have some ideas.

1. Wii Fitness. I haven't bought this game yet, but I'm thing this could change my life and pretty much guarantee that I'm addicted to the Wii.

2. Cow Tipping. What else am I going to do in Cheney, Wash.?

3. Smoking Cigarettes. People lose weight when they smoke right?

4. Slide-n-Sliding. Did this at a party once when we attached two slip-n-slides together. I woke up the next day completely sore. I'm either horribly out of shape or I've found the next best thing to Richard Simmons' Sweatin' to the Oldies.

5. Ultimate Frisbee. Actually upon further reflection, I don't want to be "That Frisbee Guy."

If you have any suggestions, please comment.