Doing a story on a fire lookout watchman has long been on my bucket list. I can now check that box. I have to say, though, this was not an easy story to do. First of all, only about a third of the state’s remaining 93 fire lookouts are staffed. I talked to several rangersContinue reading “Eyes in the sky”
Author Archives: scoopricklund
Visiting the mecca of auto racing
To paraphrase the most interesting man in the Dos Equis beer commercial, “I don’t visit race tracks very often. But when I do, I kiss the bricks at the finish line of the Indy 500.” Full disclosure here. I’m not into motorsports. The last time I stepped near a racing oval was Skagit Speedway, inContinue reading “Visiting the mecca of auto racing”
Remembering you dad – on this day, and every day
As a college student in 1975 I once mailed a birthday card to my dad that he was to open on March 29, his birthday. There was just one problem. His birthday was a month later, on April 29. Years later, we joked about that. Better early than late, right dad? On this 29th dayContinue reading “Remembering you dad – on this day, and every day”
A trip to ‘the end of the world’
Until yesterday (March 9, 2022), I had never been to Pullman, Washington. I’m almost embarrassed to admit that. I’m 67 years old. I’m a native Washingtonian. My brother went to Washington State University, for crying out loud. My beloved Husky football team plays there every two years. It’s just that, for me, it was neverContinue reading “A trip to ‘the end of the world’”
Remembering a life well-lived
Early Bethany Covenanter Alice Van Liew Anderson had a story to tell – of God’s faithfulness and goodness, through the joys and tragedies of her long and full life Sometimes you meet people that just stand out. Alice Van Liew Anderson, to me, was one of those persons. Just a year before she died –Continue reading “Remembering a life well-lived”
Here today, gone to Maui
Vicki and I recently returned from a trip to Maui. We figured it was our sixth trip to the Hawaiian island. We took note of the new, much-improved rental car center upon our arrival at the airport in Kahului that wasn’t there when we last visited in 2019. That prompted me to exclaim: “I guessContinue reading “Here today, gone to Maui”
The story behind ‘the backstory’: Remembering David Virta
The Seattle Times’ Pacific NW magazine in October published my story on a collection of fall hikes. It was a nice, 12-page spread designed by the magazine’s art director, David Miller and edited by Bill Reader, the mag’s editor. “D-Mill” and I worked together at The Times for more than 30 years, Bill and IContinue reading “The story behind ‘the backstory’: Remembering David Virta”
Sign of the times: The 24-7 world of college football recruiting
The first of two national signing days for high-school football players has come and gone, and once again we’re reminded of the importance of college football recruiting. Each year, it seems, college football coaches are under ever more scrutiny for their ability to recruit – or not. Jimmy Lake’s lackluster 2021 and 2022 recruiting classesContinue reading “Sign of the times: The 24-7 world of college football recruiting”
A PEEK INSIDE THE LAKE SHOW
Vicki and I are personally witnessed the “ups and downs” of Jimmy lake’s brief tenure as the football coach at the University of Washington. We shared an elevator ride with him. You could say we saw this all coming down on several levels. You groan. It’s true, though. We did really ride the elevator withContinue reading “A PEEK INSIDE THE LAKE SHOW”
ON THIS CHURCH FOUNDATION I BUILT MY LIFE
Bethany Covenant Church of Mount Vernon recently turned 100. As a nearly-lifelong attender of BCC I was on the committee that planned the centennial celebration October 23-24. I guess that makes me an old guy. We began meeting in April, and one of the things I wanted to do was profile in a video twoContinue reading “ON THIS CHURCH FOUNDATION I BUILT MY LIFE”
The Inside Scoop 