On tour with: Scott Miller Destination: Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens or Boulder River Trail Transportation: Drive 45 minutes to 2 1/2 hours. The so-called Mount Rainier factor is one of the strongest magnets in the Seattle mystique. Few cities sit so close to nature. Wilderness is just 45 miles away, the huge snowy mass of Mount Rainier just a little farther than that. Seattle's proximity to splendid scenery is of the things that keeps people working here through the long, dark, wet winters. If you have a free day while you're here, I recommend getting out of town to really understand what makes Seattle so special. You'll need a car. And if you want to wander far from the road, you should bring a lunch, a sturdy pair of shoes and some warm clothing in case the weather changes. Here are a few of my favorite getaways. Mount Rainier First and foremost, there is Mount Rainier. It towers over the city on clear days. From Seattle though you can't see the ancient forests, flower-studded meadows and massive glaciers that ring the mountain. Because it is a national park, Mount Rainier has a wide variety of hiking trails, from easy, paved loops to challenging routes high up the volcano's flanks. The most popular spot for tourists is Paradise on the south side of the mountain. For a one-day visit though, I prefer Sunrise. It is a little closer to Seattle, and has more trails from which to choose. To get there, take I-5 south to I-405, right before Seatac airport. Go north on 405 for a mile or so, until you hit highway 167. Go south on 167 for 18 miles and turn off on highway 410. Follow 410 for 55 miles until you see the turnoff for Sunrise. Follow that road until the end. You'll find a visitor center, standard National Park food, and tremendous views right from the parking lot. There is a 10 dollar per vehicle entrance fee. For more information visit theNational Park Service Web site. Mount St. Helens A little farther afield is Mount St. Helens. It makes for a long day trip, but thanks to recent road improvements you can now drive to a vantagepoint where you stare right into the volcano's gaping and sometimes steaming crater. Even though its been 19 years since Mount St. Helens blew its top, much of the vast blast zone is still a barren place. Life is returning though, and there's a good chance you'll get a glimpse of the large elk herd that is now thriving here. There is also a top-notch visitor's center that will tell you all about what happened on May 18, 1980. To get here drive south on I-5 about 120 miles to exit 49. Then just follow highway 504 another 50 miles or so to the end of the road. You need to purchase an 8-dollar per vehicle entry permit, available at a visitor's center near the exit from I-5. There's more information at the Great Outdoor Recreation Pages. Boulder River Trail Both Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier are major tourist attractions. If you want to get a little more off the beaten path, try the Boulder River trail. You won't see sweeping mountain vistas. But a modest hike will get you into the middle of a vintage Northwest old growth forest. Here trees nearly 300 feet high and 10 feet in diameter make you feel like you've just walked onto the set of a science fiction movie. This is a great place for journalists to regain a proper sense of perspective. To get to the trailhead, drive north on I-5 about 45 miles to exit 206. Head east on highway 530 to just beyond milepost 41. Turn right on forest service road 2010 and follow it a couple of miles to the trailhead. Be prepared to hike at least a mile or so to get into the virgin forest. For more information on all Washington's hiking opportunities you might want to check these two Web sites, Washington Trails Association and Microsoft sidewalk.com. ASIAN AMERICAN JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION SEATTLE CHAPTER P.O. Box 9698, Seattle, WA 98109 Since 1985, Seattle's AAJA has provided scholarships for students, professional development for journalists and service to the community in the Pacific Northwest. Best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer. Hyperlinks do not constitute an endorsement of a company, organization, product or opinion, nor do they represent a guarantee the content contains accurate information.