>> AMERICAN PUBLIC TELEVISION PRESENTS THE SPLENDORS OF THE WORLD WITH THE LIFELIKE REALITY OF HIGH-DEFINITION TELEVISION.

>> VOLCANOES AND WHALES, GLACIERS AND ISLANDS AND A HIP, HAPPENING URBAN CENTER.

THIS PACIFIC RIM CITY WOWS WITH ITS YOUTHFUL ENERGY AND NATURAL BEAUTY.

NEXT UP, SEATTLE ON "SMART TRAVELS."

>> MAJOR CORPORATE SUPPORT FOR "SMART TRAVELS WITH RUDY MAXA" IS PROVIDED BY... OVER THE YEARS, PUBLIC TELEVISION HAS SHOWN YOU THE WORLD...

EDUCATED YOU ABOUT IT... AND INSPIRED YOU TO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.

EXPEDIA CAN HELP YOU GET THERE WITH FLIGHTS, HOTELS, AND VACATION PACKAGES.

"SMART TRAVELS WITH RUDY MAXA" IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY THE PEOPLE AT EXPEDIA.

>> ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM MEDJETASSIST.COM.

MEDICAL EVACUATION MEMBERSHIP PROTECTION FOR TRAVELERS.

TAKE TRIPS, NOT CHANCES.

>> "SMART TRAVELS" IS A GRAND TOUR OF THE WORLD'S GREAT DESTINATIONS.

THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND UNIQUE LOCAL FLAVORS.

NOW, TIPS, TRIPS, AND SECRET PLACES ON "SMART TRAVELS: PACIFIC RIM."

>> FLANKED BY SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS AND ENCIRCLED BY GREAT EXPANSES OF BLUE WATER, SEATTLE MIXES URBAN LIVING WITH THE GREAT PACIFIC NORTHWEST WILDERNESS.

AT ONCE UNASSUMING AND BOLDLY INNOVATIVE, SEATTLE IS A PARADOX OF WOODEN BOATS AND HIGH TECHNOLOGY, OF CAFFEINE-CRAZED ENTREPRENEURS AND GORTEX-CLAD HIKERS WHO LOVE THEIR MICROBREWS.

THE MILD MISTY CLIMATE KEEPS THE EMERALD CITY PERPETUALLY GREEN AND ALMOST ALWAYS ABLOOM.

SEATTLE IS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS--A VIBRANT CITY WITH LAID BACK CHARM AND NATURAL BEAUTY.

RAINFALL IN SEATTLE IS ABOUT 36 INCHES ANNUALLY, COMPARED WITH 40 INCHES IN NEW YORK.

THE DIFFERENCE IS NEW YORK GETS IT OVER WITH IN SEVERAL STORMS WHILE SEATTLE DRAGS IT OUT IN MISTY CLOUDY DAYS.

THE CLOUDS CAN GET SOME PEOPLE DOWN, BUT IN SUMMER WHEN THE SUN SHINES, SEATTLE SPARKLES LIKE NO PLACE ON EARTH.

WATER, WATER AND MORE WATER.

FLANKED BY PUGET SOUND ON ONE SIDE AND LAKE WASHINGTON ON THE OTHER, SEATTLE IS INTERSECTED BY A THIN WATERWAY CONNECTING THE LAKE TO THE SOUND.

WE'LL EXPERIENCE SEATTLE'S DOWNTOWN AND LIVELY WATERFRONT, AS WELL AS SOME OF THE VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOODS.

THEN NATURE BECKONS AND WE HEAD SOUTH TO MAGNIFICENT MOUNT RAINIER.

FINALLY, BY SEAPLANE WE TAKE OFF TO THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS.

QUIET LITTLE SEATTLE HAS SPAWNED SOME GIANTS--MICROSOFT, STARBUCKS AND AMAZON ALL BEGAN HERE AS SMALL, ALTERNATIVE COMPANIES.

BOTH THE GRUNGE MUSIC SCENE AND THE DOT COM BOOM SPRANG OUT OF THESE STREETS.

IN THE 1990s, THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE POURED INTO THE CITY LURED BY THE PROMISE OF HIGH-TECH WEALTH.

IN FACT, SINCE THE DAYS OF THE FIRST SETTLERS WHO FOUNDED A CITY ON THE SWAMPY LAND BENEATH A HIGH WOODED BLUFF, SEATTLE HAS KNOWN BOOMS AND BUSTS, ENTREPRENEURS AND DREAMERS.

THE OLDEST SECTION OF SEATTLE, PIONEER SQUARE, WITH ITS 19th CENTURY BRICK BUILDINGS, GREW BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS AFTER GOLD WAS DISCOVERED IN ALASKA IN 1897.

THOUSANDS OF GOLD PROSPECTORS PASSED THROUGH TOWN.

MOST OF THEM LOST EVERYTHING IN THE ADVENTURE, BUT SEATTLE BOOMED.

IN 10 YEARS, FROM 1890 TO 1900, SEATTLE'S POPULATION DOUBLED AS OUTFITTERS, BROTHELS AND TAVERNS SPRANG UP TO FEED OFF THE GOLD RUSH.

>> YEAH!

>> [YELLING] >> FILLETED PIECES.

>> PIKE PLACE MARKET NEAR THE WATERFRONT IS THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN SEATTLE.

IT'S HERE THAT FARMERS AND VENDORS PEDDLE THEIR FRESH PRODUCE, CHEESE AND FISH AS THEY HAVE FOR A HUNDRED YEARS.

VISITORS CAN STAND MESMERIZED BY THE FISH GUYS EXUBERANT PERFORMANCE OR WALK THE LIVELY STALLS SELLING FRUIT, VEGETABLES, HANDCRAFTED FOODS, AND SOUVENIRS.

DESPITE THE NUMBERS OF TOURISTS, THIS IS A REAL WORKING MARKET AND A GREAT PLACE TO SNACK YOUR WAY THROUGH.

>> WE MAKE A LOT OF NORTHWEST SPECIALTY PRODUCTS.

I HAVE ONE IN PARTICULAR I CAN SHOW YOU, IT'S THE TAYBERRY JAM.

>> I'VE NEVER HEARD OF TAYBERRY, IS THAT A KIND OF BERRY?

>> YEAH, TAYBERRY IS A CROSS BETWEEN A RED RASPBERRY AND THE MARION BERRY.

IT'S GOT GREAT AROMA.

>> AND THIS IS FROM WHERE?

>> THIS IS FROM THE SKAGIT VALLEY.

>> UH-HUH.

>> WHERE THE TULIP FIELDS GROW IN WASHINGTON STATE WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL LAND FOR FARMING.

ISN'T THAT FABULOUS?

>> IT'S GOT THE SEEDS OF THE RASPBERRY, BUT NOT QUITE AS SHARP A TASTE.

>> YEAH, IT'S MY FAVORITE ONE.

>> VERY NICE.

NEARBY STREETS HOUSE RESTAURANTS, SHOPS AND STREET MUSICIANS.

IT WAS HERE THAT A YOUNG GROUP OF ENTREPRENEURS, INSPIRED BY THE CAFE SCENE IN EUROPE, OPENED A MODEST GOURMET COFFEE SHOP-- STARBUCKS.

>> TALL CAPPUCCINO.

>> ALL THEY REALLY WANTED WAS TO STOP DRIVING ALL THE WAY TO VANCOUVER, CANADA FOR A GOOD CUP OF COFFEE, BUT THEY IGNITED A CRAZE THAT HAS TAKEN OVER THE COUNTRY AND SPREAD OVERSEAS.

SEATTLEITES SPEAK AN ENTIRE DIFFERENT LANGUAGE IN COFFEE LAND, AND THEY GO FAST.

NOW, BEAR WITH ME, I'VE BEEN PRACTICING--HI.

>> HI.

>> I WOULD LOVE A HALF DECAF, DOUBLE TALL, 2 PUMP VANILLA, NONFAT NO FOAM LATTE.

HOW DID I DO?

>> AWESOME, HALF DECAF, DOUBLE TALL, 2 PUMP VANILLA, NONFAT NO FOAM LATTE.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I LOVE.

>> VERY GOOD.

>> A STEEP DESCENT DOWNHILL LEADS TO THE SEATTLE WATERFRONT.

PART WORKING PORT, PART TOURIST DESTINATION, PART FERRY TERMINAL.

THE BEST PART OF A STROLL HERE IS THE EVER-CHANGING PANOPLY OF BOATS SAILING ACROSS PLACID PUGET SOUND.

THE PIERS HOUSE NOVELTY AND SOUVENIR SHOPS AS WELL AS SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS.

A FAMED SEATTLE CHARACTER NAMED IVAR HAGLUND OPENED A FISH BAR ON THE WATERFRONT IN 1938 NEXT TO THE AQUARIUM.

A FOLK SINGER WHO HUNG OUT WITH THE LIKES OF PETE SEEGER, IVAR HAD A KNACK FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS AND A LOVE OF CLAMS.

>> EVERYBODY OUT THERE...I NEED YOUR ORDERS.

>> IVAR'S IS KNOWN FOR FISH AND CHIPS, BUT THE RESTAURANT ALSO SERVES UP A SURPRISING ARRAY OF FINE SEAFOOD DISHES.

WITH A PLATE OF FISH AND A STUNNING VIEW OF PUGET SOUND, YOU'LL BE AS HAPPY AS A CLAM.

SEATTLE HAS LONG BEEN A JUMPING OFF SPOT FOR ALASKA.

IN THE EARLY YEARS, SEATTLE JOKED THAT ALASKA WAS ITS VERY OWN PROVINCE.

TODAY, LUXURY CRUISE SHIPS TAKE PASSENGERS TO ALASKA AND BEYOND.

I HOPPED ABOARD THE HOLLAND AMERICA'S MS OOSTERDAM FOR A LOOK AT THE LUXURIOUS QUARTERS.

EACH YEAR, 700,000 CRUISE GOERS PASS THROUGH SEATTLE.

IF A FULL-FLEDGED CRUISE ISN'T IN THE STARS, A FERRY TRIP ACROSS THE SOUND STANDS IN NICELY.

YOU CAN TAKE A SHORT, SCENIC FERRY RIDE TO RURAL BAINBRIDGE ISLAND.

THE VIEWS OF THE CITY ARE SPECTACULAR.

THE SEATTLE SPACE NEEDLE, A REMNANT OF THE 1962 WORLD'S FAIR, PIERCES THE SKY.

THE EMERALD CITY'S MODEST COLLECTION OF SKYSCRAPERS LINES THE SHORE.

GAZING OUT TOWARD THE ISLANDS, IT'S EASY TO IMAGINE THE RUGGED, EVERGREEN COAST THAT THE EARLY PIONEERS DISCOVERED.

THE PLACE WHERE NATIVE AMERICANS PEACEFULLY PADDLED THEIR CANOES.

MAJESTIC MOUNT RAINIER LOOMS OVER THE SOUND AND AS YOU APPROACH BAINBRIDGE, THE SCENERY GROWS WOODED, MORE ISOLATED.

FOOT PASSENGERS WALK 10 MINUTES TO THE SLEEPY ISLAND CENTER OF WINSLOW.

LOCALS LOVE TO HOP OVER HERE FOR BREAKFAST OR LUNCH.

IF YOU COME FOR DINNER IN THE SUMMER, YOU MIGHT ENJOY A SUNSET CRUISE ON THE WAY BACK.

SEATTLE RESIDENTS ARE ON THE WHOLE EDUCATED, OPEN-MINDED AND LOVERS OF THE ARTS.

PER CAPITA BOOK PURCHASES ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY, AND THE CITY IS LOADED WITH PUBLIC ART, THEATRES, PERFORMANCE HALLS AND CINEMAS.

THE 48-FOOT HAMMERING MAN POUNDS AWAY OUTSIDE THE SEATTLE ART MUSEUM, HONORING THE WORKING MAN.

THE MUSEUM HOLDS ROTATING SPECIAL EXHIBITS AS WELL AS A COLLECTION OF NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL ART.

NATIVE AMERICANS LIVED A PEACEFUL, PLENTIFUL LIFE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND THUS HAD TIME TO DEVELOP THEIR CULTURE AND THEIR ART.

TOTEM POLES TOLD STORIES AND CELEBRATED ANCESTORS.

THE MASKS ON DISPLAY WERE WORN DURING FESTIVAL DANCES THAT COULD LAST THE ENTIRE NIGHT.

JUST UP THE STREET FROM THE ART MUSEUM IS ANOTHER MUSEUM OF SORTS, A LIVING MUSEUM: SEATTLE'S PUBLIC LIBRARY, DESIGNED BY DUTCH ARCHITECT REM KOOLHAAS.

>> THE FIRST TIME REM KOOLHAAS PULLED THE MODEL OUT OF THE BOX AND SHOWED IT TO THE TRUSTEES OF OUR LIBRARY, AND TO ME AND SOME OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DESIGN TEAM, WE WERE PRETTY SHOCKED.

AND OF COURSE THE FIRST QUESTION WE ASK WAS, HOW DO YOU WASH THE WINDOWS?

>> SO HOW DO YOU CLEAN THE WINDOWS?

>> IN SEATTLE WE HAVE SO MANY ROCK CLIMBERS AND MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS, THE CHEAPEST BIDS COME IN NOT TO USE THE EQUIPMENT WE PURCHASED AND STORED, BUT TO USE BUCKETS AND TO SWING AND PRACTICE THEIR SPORTSMANSHIP.

>> NO.

>> YES.

>> SO UNIQUE, SO--WELL, COOL, THE LIBRARY ATTRACTS TOURISTS BY THE THOUSANDS.

THE LIBRARY EXEMPLIFIES THE PRINCIPLE OF FORM FOLLOWING FUNCTION.

KOOLHAAS DESIGNED A GRADUALLY SLOPING BOOK SPIRAL THAT WINDS DOWN 4 FLOORS AND ALLOWS THE LIBRARY TO EASILY EXPAND ITS COLLECTION.

STEEL GRIDS SUPPORT GLASS BETWEEN A SERIES OF FLOATING PLATFORMS THAT JUT OUT OVER THE STREET.

THE RESULT IS A LIGHT FILLED GLASS AND STEEL WONDER WITH TANTALIZING VIEWS TO THE WATER.

SEATTLE'S FIRST BIG BOOM WAS THE GOLD RUSH.

THE NEXT ONE BEGAN IN 1916, WHEN A YOUNG MAN NAMED WILLIAM BOEING OPENED AN AIRCRAFT COMPANY.

BY THE 1960s, ONE PERSON IN EVERY 10 IN THE CITY WORKED AT BOEING.

SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN SEATTLE NEAR BOEING FIELD, THE MUSEUM OF FLIGHT PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE MAN AND HIS COMPANY THAT BECAME THE MAJOR EMPLOYER IN SEATTLE FOR DECADES.

HERE YOU CAN VISIT THE RED BARN, THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE BOEING COMPANY.

41 HISTORIC AIRPLANES FILL THE MUSEUM'S GREAT GALLERY.

VISITORS CAN MAN THE CONTROLS OF A BLACKBIRD RECONNAISSANCE PLANE.

OR YOU CAN TAKE AN ACTION PACKED RIDE IN A FLIGHT SIMULATOR AND TRY NOT TO CRASH.

OUTSIDE ON THE TARMAC, YOU CAN TOUR THE CONCORDE OR AIR FORCE ONE--THE FLYING OVAL OFFICE THAT CARRIED PRESIDENTS EISENHOWER, KENNEDY, JOHNSON, AND NIXON.

WHEN IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE OF PACE, SEATTLE'S NEIGHBORHOODS ADD COLOR AND FLAVOR TO THE CITY.

FROM THE VIBRANT INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT WITH ITS MIX OF JAPANESE, CHINESE, VIETNAMESE, AND KOREAN PEOPLE, TO THE SCANDINAVIAN BALLARD/FREMONT AREA, SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE DIVERSE, FUN, AND QUIRKY.

THE LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD OF FREMONT IS THE SELF-PROCLAIMED CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE, WITH ITS VERY OWN ROCKET, AND A STATUE OF LENIN RESCUED FROM A SCRAP PILE IN RUSSIA.

HERE, CAFES AND RESTAURANTS MINGLE WITH SPECIALTY SHOPS AND PUBS.

ADJACENT BALLARD IS KNOWN FOR ITS LONG HISTORY OF SHIP BUILDING AND THE BALLARD LOCKS, WHICH EACH DAY ALLOW THOUSANDS OF BOATS TO PASS TO AND FROM LAKE WASHINGTON AND THE SALT WATER OF PUGET SOUND.

NEXT TO THE LOCKS, ENGINEERS DESIGNED A FISH LADDER TO HELP SALMON MAKE THEIR WAY BACK TO THE INLAND WATERS WHERE THEY WERE BORN.

YOU CAN WATCH THEIR PROGRESS FROM AN UNDERWATER VIEWING AREA.

JUST AS GOURMET COFFEE TOOK OFF IN SEATTLE, SO, TOO, DID THE MICROBREW CRAZE.

25 YEARS AGO, AMERICAN BEERS WERE ON THE WHOLE PALE, FLAVORLESS CONCOCTIONS.

THEN, IN THE EARLY EIGHTIES, NORTHWEST BREWERS BEGAN PRODUCING EUROPEAN STYLE BEERS, AND A NEW AMERICAN BEER WAS BORN.

SOON, LOCAL BREWERS SET UP TABLES AND OFFERED FOOD AT THEIR BREWERIES.

THE BREW PUB BECAME A SEATTLE TRADITION--THERE ARE MANY SPRINKLED THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

MARITIME BREWERY, LOCATED IN BETWEEN BALLARD AND FREMONT, SERVES UP 15 DIFFERENT BEERS ON TAP...AND COUPLES THE BEER WITH A WHOLE NEW BREED OF BAR FOOD.

ONE WORD OF WARNING WHEN TRAVELING IN THIS AREA--TROLLS HAVE LONG PLAGUED BALLARD AND FREMONT, LURKING UNDER BRIDGES AND DEMOLISHING CARS.

DO STAY CLEAR OF THESE ONE-EYED MONSTERS.

THIS TRIP TO SEATTLE, I'M STAYING IN BELLTOWN.

IT'S A GREAT SPOT FOR RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTLIFE, JUST A FEW BLOCKS NORTH OF DOWNTOWN.

THE HOTEL ANDRA IS URBAN, TRENDY AND PERFECTLY SITUATED FOR A NIGHT ON THE TOWN.

HOUSED IN A 1926 BRICK AND TERRA-COTTA BUILDING, HOTEL ANDRA'S INTERIOR IS A MODERN, MINIMALIST SURPRISE.

LIKE SEATTLE ITSELF, THE HOTEL IS A SMALL, ARTISTIC, AND STYLISH RETREAT.

WHENEVER I'M IN SEATTLE, I CAN'T GET ENOUGH SEAFOOD, AND I'M ANXIOUS TO TRY ONE OF THE 4 RESTAURANTS OWNED BY LOCAL CHEF AND NORTHWEST FOOD GURU, TOM DOUGLAS.

>> WHEN YOU BUY SALMON IN SEATTLE, YOU DON'T JUST SAY, HARRY, DOWN AT MUTUAL FISH, SEND ME A SALMON.

THAT'S JUST NOT THE WAY IT WORKS HERE.

WHEN I CALL HARRY, I SAY, WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR SALMON TODAY?

HE SAYS, I'VE GOT YUKON RIVER, COPPER RIVER, WESTPORT SALMON RIGHT OFF THE COAST HERE OF WASHINGTON, MAYBE COLUMBIA RIVER.

WELL, WHAT SPECIES DO YOU HAVE?

OH, I'VE GOT KINGS, COHOS, SOCKEYES, CHUMS--I MEAN, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SALMON, WE TALK ABOUT SPECIFIC SALMON, AND THAT'S WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT LIVING HERE.

SEATTLE'S JUST GOT AN INCREDIBLE ABUNDANCE OF WILD PROFIT.

>> AT HIS RESTAURANT ETTA'S, NAMED FOR HIS DAUGHTER LORETTA, TOM SERVES UP SIMPLE, FRESH, OUT OF THIS WORLD SEAFOOD.

NO OTHER LARGE U.S. CITY CAN CLAIM SUCH A VAST NUMBER AND DIVERSITY OF HIKING TRAILS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY.

FROM EASY DAY HIKES TO SERIOUS MOUNTAIN CLIMBING, SEATTLE HAS IT ALL.

AND TO AID AND ABET THOSE HIKERS, SEATTLE SPAWNED YET ANOTHER SMALL ALTERNATIVE COMPANY THAT MADE IT BIG: RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT INC., OR REI.

EVEN IF YOU NEVER PUT A TOE IN A HIKING BOOT, A TRIP TO REI IS AN EXPERIENCE.

YOU CAN TEST OUT ALMOST EVERYTHING--FROM BIKES ON THE OUTDOOR PATH OR CLIMBING GEAR ON THE ROCK CLIMBING WALL.

EVERYTHING FROM SKIING TO WATER SPORTS TO MOUNTAINEERING IS POSSIBLE IN THE NORTHWEST, AND REI GETS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE READY TO GO EACH DAY.

>> WHERE'S YOUR ADVENTURE TAKING YOU TODAY?

>> I'M GONNA DO A LITTLE HIKE ON MOUNT RAINIER, NOTHING TOO STRENUOUS, JUST A LITTLE WALK.

>> EXCELLENT, A DAY HIKE?

>> DAY HIKE.

>> LET ME SHOW YOU A PACK THAT'LL TAKE CARE OF THAT FOR YOU.

>> GREAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, HERE'S THE PERFECT DAY PACK TO GET YOU THROUGH YOUR DAY HIKE.

SLIP THAT ON.

EXCELLENT.

BRING THIS AROUND HERE.

AND SHOULDERS, AND THIS IS A WHISTLE.

HOW'S THAT?

>> LOOKIN' GOOD, FEELIN' GOOD.

ALL RIGHT.

>> AND, RUDY, THESE WILL BE THE PERFECT ADD ON TO SUPPORT YOUR TRIP TO MOUNT RAINIER.

>> TERRIFIC, WHAT'S NEXT?

>> LET'S GO GET SOME FOOTWEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

OH, IT'S COMF--VERY COMFORTABLE.

>> GOOD ANKLE SUPPORT.

LIGHT ENOUGH, FLEXIBLE ENOUGH.

>> MM-HMM.

PERFECT.

I'M FULLY OUTFITTED AND READY TO HIT THE TRAIL.

KNOWN SIMPLY AS "THE MOUNTAIN" TO LOCALS, MOUNT RAINIER DOMINATES THE SKYLINE ON CLEAR DAYS.

A FEW HOURS DRIVE SOUTH FROM THE CITY, THE MOUNTAIN CAN BE VISITED YEAR-ROUND FOR HIKING, BACK COUNTRY SKIING AND CLIMBING.

THIS IS PARADISE, AND BOY IS IT APTLY NAMED--A ROLLING MEADOW FILLED WITH FLOWERS, SET BENEATH THE MASSIVE ROCK AND ICE OF A 14,411 FOOT VOLCANO, MOUNT RAINIER.

A YOUNG VOLCANO, MOUNT RAINIER'S FIRES ARE VERY MUCH ALIVE.

THOUGH DORMANT, MOUNT RAINIER COULD ERUPT ANYTIME AS ITS COUSIN TO THE SOUTH, MOUNT ST. HELENS, DID IN 1980.

THE COLOSSAL MOUNTAIN IS SHEATHED IN 35 SQUARE MILES OF ICY GLACIERS AND SNOWFIELDS.

THE NATIVE AMERICANS NAMED IT TAHOMA, OR "SNOWY PEAK."

ON A SUMMER DAY, THE MOUNTAIN SEEMS AS BENIGN AS AN ICE CREAM SUNDAE.

BUT STORMS WHIP UP QUICKLY AT THIS ALTITUDE.

ALMOST EVERY YEAR TAHOMA CLAIMS THE LIVES OF CLIMBERS.

>> WHAT WAS IT LIKE WHEN YOU WERE ON THE TOP?

>> FIRST OF ALL, I WAS RELIEVED, BECAUSE I HAD FINALLY MADE IT.

AND MY TEAM GOT TO SPEND ABOUT AN HOUR UP THERE.

THERE'S A NOTEBOOK THAT YOU CAN SIGN, BASICALLY, I WAS HERE.

AND BEAUTIFUL VIEWS, OF COURSE, ALL AROUND OF OTHER MOUNTAIN RANGES AND THE OTHER VOLCANOES IN THE CASCADES.

THE MOST AMAZING THING ABOUT THE SUMMIT IS THAT EVEN THOUGH THERE'S ALL OF THE SNOW UP THERE, THE CRATER RIM IS FREE OF SNOW AND THERE'S STEAM COMING UP OUT OF THE GROUND.

SO YOU SEE THAT STEAM RISING, AND YOU THINK, WOW, I REALLY AM STANDING ON AN ACTIVE VOLCANO.

>> IN THE WINTER MONTHS AS MUCH AS 93 FEET OF SNOW CAN FALL AT PARADISE.

DURING EARLY SUMMER--WHICH IS USUALLY MID-JULY AT THIS ALTITUDE--A VERITABLE RIOT OF WILDFLOWERS FILLS THE MEADOWS...IN PARTICULAR, RED PAINTBRUSH AND BLUE LUPINE.

DEER ROAM THE MEADOWS AT PARADISE AS WELL AS THE MOUNTAIN GROUNDHOG, THE MARMOT.

HIKING OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND HERE AND ELSEWHERE IN THE PARK.

THE WONDERLAND TRAIL CIRCLES THE MOUNTAIN IN 93 GLORIOUS BUT DIFFICULT MILES.

EASY DAY HIKES BEGIN FROM THE PARKING LOT AT PARADISE.

IF YOU KEEP ON GOING STRAIGHT UP YOU ARRIVE AT CAMP MUIR, BASE CAMP FOR CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN.

MOUNTAINS AND SEA, HIKING AND SAILING.

ON A SUNNY WEEKEND, SEATTLEITES EXCHANGE THEIR HIKING BOOTS FOR FLIP-FLOPS AND HEAD OUT TO THE ISLANDS.

FERRIES MAKE THE TRIP BUT THERE'S NO BETTER AND QUICKER APPROACH THAN BY AIR.

FROM THE AIR, SEATTLE SPARKLES.

KENMORE AIR NOT ONLY FLIES TO THE ISLANDS, BUT ALSO OFFERS 1 HOUR TOURS THAT TAKE IN VAST PUGET SOUND, THE SIGNATURE SEATTLE SKYLINE AND THE LITTLE LAKES, PARKS AND NEIGHBORHOODS.

FLYING NORTH NOW, WE ARE HEADED TO THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS, A SERIES OF SOME 170 WOODED ISLES SET AMID THE CALM WATERS OF PUGET SOUND.

MILLIONS OF YEARS AGO THESE WOODED STEPPING STONES WERE THE TOPS OF MOUNTAINS WORN DOWN AND THEN SUBMERGED BY GLACIERS.

TODAY, THEY ARE A SERENE HOME TO SOME 14,000 PEOPLE, THE LARGEST AND MOST POPULATED BEING SAN JUAN ISLAND.

BY CAR AND FERRY THE TRIP CAN TAKE SEVERAL HOURS.

BUT BY AIR, IT'S LESS THAN AN HOUR.

THE SAN JUANS BOB WITH BOATS, QUIET COVES SHIMMER IN THE SUN, AND PRETTY HARBOR TOWNS DOT THE ISLES.

HERE YOU CAN RENT BICYCLES, WANDER THROUGH LAVENDER FIELDS, OR WIND BETWEEN THE ISLANDS IN A KAYAK.

MOST OF THE BEACHES ON THE ISLAND ARE PRIVATE.

RESORTS USUALLY OFFER BEACH ACCESS, AS DO SOME STATE PARKS.

3 PODS OF ORCAS, OR KILLER WHALES, MAKE THEIR HOME AROUND THE ISLANDS.

EACH POD RANGES IN SIZE FROM 17-50 WHALES.

WHILE THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES, WHALE WATCH TRIPS LIKE SAFARI TOURS REGULARLY SPOT THE PODS.

BINOCULARS ARE AVAILABLE FOR CLOSE-UP VIEWS.

THE WHALES FEED ON SALMON RUNS, SO YOU ARE MOST LIKELY TO SPOT THEM FROM MAY TO SEPTEMBER.

MOUNTAINS, WATER, AND LEAPING WHALES ON THE DOORSTEP OF A VIBRANT CITY--WHO COULD ASK FOR MORE?

>> AWESOME!

>> THE VERY FIRST SETTLERS HERE NAMED THE TOWN NEW YORK ALKI; ALKI BEING THE INDIAN WORD FOR "PRETTY SOON."

WELL, SEATTLE NEVER QUITE BECAME THE METROPOLIS NEW YORK IS, AND THAT'S JUST FINE.

FOR ALL ITS GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS, ITS AIRPLANES, SOFTWARE AND HIGH-TECH BOOM, SEATTLE REMAINS A SMALL TOWN.

PEACEFUL, LIVABLE AND SET AMID SOME OF AMERICA'S WILDEST, MOST DIVERSE TERRAIN, SEATTLE IS A LITTLE PIECE OF PARADISE.

WELL, THE CLOUDS HAVE DESCENDED.

THE MOUNTAIN IS SHROUDED IN MIST AND THE BLUE WATERS OF PUGET SOUND HAVE TURNED GREY.

THE CURTAIN HAS FALLEN BUT I'M HEADED HOME WITH ENOUGH SPARKLING MEMORIES TO FILL A WHOLE WINTER.

FROM THE EMERALD CITY, I'M RUDY MAXA.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

>> TO ORDER THE 3 EPISODE DVD OR VHS OF SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE, AND VANCOUVER, OR ANY OTHER "SMART TRAVELS" DESTINATIONS, PLEASE VISIT US ONLINE AT SMARTTRAVELS.TV OR CALL 800-866-7425.

DVDs AND VIDEOS ARE $24.95 EACH PLUS SHIPPING.

EACH DVD INCLUDES MORE THAN AN HOUR OF EXCLUSIVE BONUS CLIPS AND RUDY'S TRAVEL TIPS.

ORDER AT THIS TOLL-FREE NUMBER, OR ONLINE.

MAJOR CORPORATE SUPPORT FOR "SMART TRAVELS WITH RUDY MAXA" IS PROVIDED BY... OVER THE YEARS, PUBLIC TELEVISION HAS SHOWN YOU THE WORLD...

EDUCATED YOU ABOUT IT... AND INSPIRED YOU TO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.

EXPEDIA CAN HELP YOU GET THERE, WITH FLIGHTS, HOTELS AND VACATION PACKAGES.

"SMART TRAVELS WITH RUDY MAXA" IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY THE PEOPLE AT EXPEDIA.

>> ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM MEDJETASSIST.COM.

MEDICAL EVACUATION MEMBERSHIP PROTECTION FOR TRAVELERS.

TAKE TRIPS, NOT CHANCES.