Lesser Known Hikes in Western Washington
With many activities closed or limited, it seems more people are take advantage of Western Washington’s excellent hiking trails. Because of increased popularity (and time), social distancing even on hikes can be difficult (especially at crowded trail heads), so here are some lesser known hikes that you may want to check out to avoid the hiking crowds.
- Heather Park Trail in the Olympic National Forest. If you have a hankering to go to the Olympics, you’ll probably find the popular Hurricane Ridge pretty crowded. Take a quick detour to Heather Park Trail. It also offers incredible views, but of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Port Angeles, and smaller peaks!
- Rampart Ridge Trail in Mt. Rainier National Park. While this park may be very popular, give this lesser known trail a try to avoid some of the crowds. Be sure to check the website for possible changes in restrooms, access, etc.
- Lake Elizabeth Trail, Bandera Mountain Summit, Royal Basin Trail, and more! This list on the Only In Your State website has a great list of trails we had never heard of that should be much lighter in the crowd department.
It has been a stressful few months for everyone living with the Covid-19 Pandemic. Which is everyone. From worrying about job security, school for the kids, finances, personal health, health of older/younger family members, isolation, and more, mental health is taking a pretty serious hit in many of us.
The good news is there are steps we can take, within our control, to better our mental health during this difficult time. Here are some tips from the Mayo Clinic and other sources:
- Get enough sleep. And stick to your sleeping routine. It might not seem like a big deal to binge watch Netflix until 2am because you don’t have to get up early in the morning, but this can be very detrimental to your mental health.
- Participate in regular physical activity. Even if it’s something as a simple as a walk or lifting weights in your apartment! Being outside also helps with mental health, so anything you can while social distancing is a great option.
- Eat healthy. Maybe your summer bod is taking this year off, but it’s still important to put good foods into your body. Limit sugar/junk food and caffeine, especially if you struggle with anxiety.
- Limit screen time. Turn off all your electronics each day for an established amount of time, as little as 30 minutes. Screen time has been linked to increased rates in stress and anxiety, something none of us need at this time.
- Relax and Recharge. Do something that works for you to help you recharge. Meditate, read a book, work on a project that has nothing to do with work, lay in your back yard.
- Do something for others. The best way to get out of your own head is to focus on helping someone else!
Corvette has always represented iconic American design, performance, technical ingenuity and attainability. The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray retains carryover pricing – the same as the introductory model – with MSRP starting at $59,995 for the coupe and $67,495 for the convertible. Both models include destination freight charge.
“Our mission was to develop a new sports car, combining the successful attributes of Corvette with the performance and driving experience of mid-engine supercars,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette executive chief engineer. “We are thrilled with the enthusiasm the mid-engine Corvette brought following its launch and are keeping it fresh with new content for the 2021 model.”
NEW FOR 2021
- Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension available without Z51 (FE2)
- Standard Wireless Apple CarPlay/Wireless Android Auto
- Red Mist Metallic Tintcoat exterior color
- Silver Flare Metallic exterior color
- Sky Cool Gray/Yellow Strike interior color
- New Full Length Dual Racing Stripe Package colors: Blue, Orange, Red and Yellow
- Stinger Stripes in three colors: Carbon Flash/Edge Red, Carbon Flash/Edge Yellow and Carbon Flash/Midnight Silver
- Driver mode on-screen visualization and new track digital tachometer
- Standard Buckle To Drive, a safety technology that, when active, can prevent the driver from shifting the vehicle out of Park if the driver’s seat belt is not buckled for up to 20 seconds; this feature is designed to help remind all drivers to buckle up before driving
ENGINE & CHASSIS: The next-generation LT2 is paired with Chevrolet’s first eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, which provides lightning-fast shifts and excellent power transfer.
- Engine: 6.2L LT2 V-8 with Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Active Fuel Management
- Transmission: eight-speed dual-clutch with manual and automatic modes
- Driver Mode Selector – six modes: Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, and MyMode and Z Mode customizable modes
- Brakes: four-wheel antilock, four-wheel disc, four-piston calipers (12.6-inch front rotors, 13.3-inch rear rotors)
- NEW: Available Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension without Z51 (FE2), which reads the road better, providing more precise data through suspension-mounted accelerometers
- Available Z51 Performance Package: Z51 performance brakes, Z51 performance suspension (FE3), performance exhaust, performance final drive ratio, electronic limited-slip differential, Z51 rear spoiler, front splitter, 245/35ZR19 front and 305/30ZR20 rear summer-only, high-performance tires and heavy-duty cooling system
- Z51 Performance (FE4) with Magnetic Selective Ride Control, includes Performance Traction Management
- Front lift: adjustable height with memory
DESIGN: The Stingray’s exterior has a bold, futuristic expression with mid-engine exotic proportions, but it is still unmistakably Corvette.
Exterior
- NEW: Red Mist Metallic Tintcoat exterior color
- NEW: Silver Flare Metallic exterior color
- NEW: Full Length Dual Racing Stripe Package colors: Blue, Orange, Red and Yellow
- NEW: Stinger Stripe in three colors: Carbon Flash/Edge Red, Carbon Flash/Edge Yellow and Carbon Flash/Midnight Silver
- Painted brake calipers: available in Black, Bright Red, Edge Red and Yellow
Interior
- NEW: Sky Cool Gray/Yellow Strike interior color
- GT1 bucket seats
- Mulan leather seating surfaces with perforated inserts
- Available GT2 bucket seats
- Napa leather seating surfaces with perforated inserts
- Napa leather seating surfaces with perforated sueded microfiber inserts
- Two-tone
- Available Competition Sport bucket seats
- Performance textile
- Napa leather seating surfaces with perforated inserts
- Napa leather seating surfaces with perforated sueded microfiber inserts
- Available heated and ventilated seats; power bolster and power lumbar
- Available heated steering wheel
- Available custom seat belts: Black, Orange, Natural, Tension Blue, Torch Red and Yellow
- Available custom interior leather stitching: Adrenaline Red stitching on seats, instrument panel, doors and console; Yellow stitching on seats, instrument panel, doors and console
- Available Sueded Microfiber-Wrapped Interior Package: headliner, visor, trim above windshield and rear window, and A-pillar trim in color-keyed sueded microfiber
- Available head-up display – color with readouts for Tour, Sport and Track modes, vehicle speed, gear, engine rpm, shift lights, turn signals, high beam headlamps, turn-by-turn navigation, g-meter, speed limit and lap times
- Available Bose Performance Series 14-speaker audio system
INFOTAINMENT & CONNECTIVITY: The Stingray benefits from GM’s new digital vehicle platform, an all-new electronic architecture that enables the adoption of the company’s next generation of technologies.
- NEW: Standard Wireless Apple CarPlay/Wireless Android Auto
- Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus system with 8-inch diagonal HD color touchscreen, AM/FM stereo, HD Radio® Bluetooth® audio streaming for two active devices, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, voice recognition and in-vehicle apps
- Available Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium system with Navigation, includes Plus system features listed above, Connected Navigation, enhanced voice recognition, additional memory for in-vehicle apps and Performance Data Recorder
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi® Hotspot for up to seven devices
- Standard HD Rear Vision Camera (1LT) and HD Front and Rear Vision Cameras (2LT/3LT)
- Available Performance Data Recorder
- Available wireless charging
SAFETY & SECURITY: An available suite of active safety features.
- NEW: Standard Buckle To Drive, a safety technology that, when active, can prevent the driver from shifting the vehicle out of Park if the driver’s seat belt is not buckled for up to 20 seconds; this feature is designed to help remind all drivers to buckle up before driving
- Air bags: four driver and passenger frontal and side-impact air bags with Passenger Sensing System
- Available Rear Camera Mirror: rearview auto-dimming with full camera display (coupe and convertible)
- Available Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Rear Park Assist
- Available Side Blind Zone Alert
- Teen Driver technology
- Available theft-deterrent system: engine immobilizer and audible/visual alarm electrical, unauthorized entry, vehicle inclination sensor, vehicle interior movement sensor; activates horn
Celebrating the 4th of July will be different for all of us this year with no big fireworks shows or big gatherings allowed. But one thing is the same: Burien Chevrolet’s 4th of July special offers! This year, you get a $500 Amazon gift card when you trade-in your vehicle to us!
The $500 Amazon gift card is in ADDITION to any other specials/offers AND our Lifetime Warranty with 10 years of free roadside assistance.
This offer is only good through July 6, so come celebrate your 4th of July with !
Supporting Local Businesses in the Wake of Covid-19
As many counties in Washington State enter phase 2 of reopening during the Covid-19 (some hoping for phase 3, even), we are excited by the idea of life returning to normal by frequenting our favorite restaurants, parks, and beaches mostly the way we used to. We recognize that some things will be different and it is important to take precautionary measures. We also recognize that local businesses have been through a historic hit, so here are some ideas to help us all recover from the Covid-19 lockdown.
- Buy gift cards from local stores and restaurants as birthday gifts, to give to first responders, etc. This helps get cash flowing to these businesses more than you can visit each one.
- If you need to get out of the house, try a staycation! Airbnbs will soon be open as will most local attractions, events and activities. This will get you out and put money back into the community.
- Shop local. We understand this isn’t always possible, but instead of the convenience of making that purchase through Amazon or a big box store, your purchases will make a huge impact on smaller, locally-owned businesses.
More powerful version of the racing-bred LS7 offers 570 horsepower and wet-sump oiling
Chevrolet Performance today announced the all-new LS427/570 crate engine* — an enhanced version of the production-based LS7 7.0L engine that offers more horsepower, more torque and, thanks to a simpler wet-sump oiling system, easier installation.
A new, high-lift camshaft developed specifically for this engine helps produce a GM-estimated 570 horsepower and 540 lb-ft of torque — increases of 65 horsepower and 70 lb-ft over the regular-production engine — while the new wet-sump oiling system eliminates the need for the installer to incorporate a separate oil tank, oil lines and other ancillary components to support the production LS7’s dry-sump system.
“The all-new LS427/570 builds on the legendary, racing-bred performance of the LS7 to create the most powerful naturally-aspirated LS crate engine in our portfolio,” said Jessica Earl, GM specialist marketing group manager.
Compared to the production LS7 crate engine assembly, the LS427/570 features an F-body aluminum oil pan and a specific wet-sump oil pump. Additional engine highlights include:
- Unique high-lift hydraulic roller camshaft with 0.591-inch intake/0.590-inch exhaust lift; 227-degree intake/242-degree exhaust duration; and a lobe separation angle of 116 degrees
- Unique high-rate valve springs
- Camaro fifth-generation Z/28 exhaust manifolds
- Low-profile LS7 EFI intake manifold with fuel rails, injectors and throttle body installed
- Robust LS7 rotating assembly featuring a forged steel crankshaft and titanium connecting rods
- CNC-ported cylinder heads featuring 2.20-inch titanium intake valves and 1.61-inch sodium-filled exhaust valves
- Fourteen-inch Camaro Z/28 168-tooth manual transmission flywheel
- Must be used with LS427/570 Engine Controller P/N 19420000 (sold separately)
- Chevrolet Performance recommends Mobil 1 15W50 fully synthetic motor oil to be used with the engine
Chevrolet Launches Bolt EV Academy Videos Series
Illustrates the advantages of driving and living with an electric vehicle
Chevrolet today launched Bolt EV Academy, a series of 15 videos to help educate current and future Bolt EV owners on the advantages of living electric and how to get the most out of their electric vehicle. The online series explains several of the Bolt EV’s unique features, driving tips and how-tos. For future Bolt EV drivers, the series will illustrate just how fun, easy and convenient it is to live with an electric vehicle – all explained by the engineers and experts who brought the Bolt EV to life.
The video series includes topics such as:
- Home charging basics
- Road trip charging
- One pedal driving and regen on demand
- Driver’s display screens
- Personalizing active safety features
- Cold weather driving tips
Videos can be found on many of Chevrolet’s channels, including: YouTube, Chevrolet.com, the MyChevy app and the Chevrolet owner center.
Assists owners in getting the most out of their 2020 Corvette Stingray
Chevrolet’s Corvette Academy, the online learning center for the first mid-engine Corvette, has added 23 new videos to show owners how to get the most out of their cars. The latest videos will help educate consumers on various Corvette features, tips and how-tos from the engineers and experts that brought the Corvette to life.
The additional video series includes topics such as:
- Vehicle break-in schedule
- Maintenance
- Track preparation
- Driver modes
- Memory settings
- Many more how-tos for the ultimate vehicle experience
Videos can be found on many of Chevrolet’s channels, including: Chevrolet.com, YouTube, the MyChevy app and the Chevrolet owner center.
Quarantine Spurts New Gardening Growth
Many people all over the world are using mandatory or voluntary quarantine for Covid-19 to pick up some new skills or try new hobbies. Seeing as all this happened at the beginning of spring, many people focused in on their gardens…or started gardening for the first time. During these tight financial times, many first-time gardeners are trying their green thumb at growing their own fruits and vegetables.
“We have been so busy the last couple months,” said Tammi Wells of Skagit Valley Gardens in Mount Vernon. “Financially, these have been record-breaking months for us. But, really, the biggest difference is how happy people are to be here. How happy they are to have some kind of outlet, bring some color and hope into their lives by working on their old gardens or starting new ones. More than ever, people want something to focus on, some kind of beauty and escape.”
There are many resources available to help you on your garden-to-kitchen venture, but here are some quick and easy tips to help you get started:
- Plant what you and your family will actually eat. It’s a thrill to see an eggplant grow from a little start, but it’s less thrilling to see it rot on the soil because no one in your home likes them.
- Start small. We all start with big dreams, but start with a few basic things to get the hang of it first.
- Companion planting is a great way to get the best from your food, but it can be a bit overwhelming. In general, lettuce and spinach grow great next to most other foods, so try planting those greens in between your other plants.
- Make sure you get some joy out of your garden. Feel free to throw some flower seeds of your favorite flower in with your veggies!
- Get creative with the foods you eat. Did you know you can eat pansies and nasturtiums? In fact, nasturtiums (an annual flowering vine) adds a great peppery flavor and color to salads!
“Not everyone has access to a plot for a garden, so many people are building raised beds, container gardening, or even just splurging on indoor plants to bring some outside to their inside,” said Wells. “We have sold more indoor plants this year than ever before because people know that nature inside the walls of your home can help with relaxation and just feeling better about stuff.”
Many local gardening centers and nurseries are open in the Puget Sound area, so you can ask your local expert for more tips or do some online research.
Now more than ever, cleanliness is of the utmost importance. And top of mind thoughts naturally lead us all to think about how I might sanitize my car. That’s why Chevrolet is committed to using enhanced vehicle cleaning measures, with CDC-approved cleansers before delivering your vehicle after purchase or service – including cleaning your instrument panel, hard and plastic surfaces, seats and carpet. Nothing can be 100%, but we do follow protocols for the use of sanitzer. Ask us for details 206.243.5800. Click to schedule service.
Ask us about the Chevy Cares Program
In these uncertain times, we’re doing our best to be there, any way we can. From answering questions about your vehicle to helping you shop for a new Car, Truck or SUV from home, see all the ways we’re here to help. Because at a time like this, your vehicle should be the least of your worries.
And speaking of being a dependable vehicle, Chevrolet has consistently ranked among the JD Power Quality Award winners. Read more about them here. The Chevy Equinox, Malibu, Silverado and Tahoe models all ranked highest in their respective segments in initial quality in 2019!
The Equinox SUV has also been an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” (LINK) – so it’s not only how do I sanitize my car that matters in the safety category. Chevrolet has put alot of thought into its designs and quality control. Read more about the Equinox here.
Research Silverado here. Malibu here. And Tahoe here. Thank you!
As part of the Chevy Clean Program, we follow recommended protocols regarding the cleaning of facilities and vehicles. Neither the Chevy Clean Program nor a dealer’s enrollment in the Program should be deemed to state or imply that any dealer’s cleaning activities can eliminate or prevent transmission of any virus, illness or disease.
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