• Visit the impressive, 3 story REI flagship store in Seattle to rent things you need! I rented a wheeled Coleman cooler, 2 trekking poles, and a sleeping bag for around $55. You can secure your items online and they’ll be ready for you when you arrive! There’s also tons of things you can get here too, like fuel, PNW clothing, food, or a great new pair of hiking socks.

• You will have to rent a car and SUVs are abundant in the state. I was much more comfortable in the rented RAV4 than I would have been in the rental’s first choice, a Volkswagon Beetle (yikes).
• Sea-Tac airport is very large, choose your baggage wisely because you’ll have to take a bus to the vehicle rental place away from the airport.
• The heat wave meant no ice for my cooler, so I had to try all kinds of stores before I found some.

• Clif gel bloks are so much better than dry bars and Gu gels! Gu gels better for eating while running, these are better for hiking and kept my sugar up.

• Next time I’m going to fold clothes like Marie Kondo and save some space.

• Osprey Porter 30 was great, but I should have mailed my souvenirs. It was stuffed pretty tight! But a 40 would have been too big for me.
• Seattle’s streets can be hilly so wear good walking shoes.
• The Asian food scene is wonderful in Seattle, explore and try everything!
• Pike’s Market is HUGE and you need a whole day to get lost and enjoy everything there.

• Wear your mask on the plane so you don’t get booted off like the lady who nearly made me miss my connecting flight.