Since joining Seattle Met in 2011, Allison Williams has overseen the magazine’s travel and outdoor coverage, and has contributed to all sections of the magazine. Allison was raised in Olympia and earned degrees from Duke University and University of Alaska. She began her career in New York City in the newsrooms of Metro newspaper and Time Out New York, then hightailed it back to her native habitat so she could write guidebooks and climb mountains.

Locked-Up Lockdown

Quarantine in a Washington Prison Is Tense

An inmate at Monroe Correctional Complex reports from behind bars, where riots have erupted and one guard has passed away from the virus: "Yeah, I'm scared."

05/27/2020 By Allison Williams

Time to Remember

Things to Do for Memorial Day That Are Totally Allowed

Big trips and party-sized barbecues may be off the table, but there are still quarantine-approved ways to celebrate the beginning of summer.

05/21/2020 By Allison Williams

Turn the Tide

Don't Go to the Beach for Memorial Day

Most of Washington's ocean-facing shoreline is closed, so it's not quite time for beach blanket bingo yet.

05/21/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Washington's Next Volcanic Eruption

When? Where? Are we ready?

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

BOOM TOWN

Guide to Mount St. Helens

The 1980 eruption was the biggest volcanic event in recent American history. Four decades later, the mountain has more than moved on—it’s become a new and vibrant wonderland for scientists and sightseers alike.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens Wildlife: Don’t Call It a Comeback

Flora and fauna have more than returned to the destruction zone—they're thriving.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Art St. Helens: Creations Inspired by a Volcano's Destruction

Forty years on, the eruption still fuels evocative work. Plus: What's up with ash glass?

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens is Not a National Park

The volcano’s unique status makes upkeep complicated.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Visiting the East Side of Mount St. Helens: Otherworldly Escape

Intrepid explorers head to a quiet region to score views of a hidden landscape, plus a chance to view remnants of the eruption.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Visiting the South Side of Mount St. Helens: On Top of Old Smokey

Take a walk on the adventure side of the volcano. Keen athletes can spelunk underground, ski gentle slopes, or climb to the crater rim.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Visiting the North Side of Mount St. Helens: Crater Crash Course

A road trip down a stunning highway leads to a well-appointed visitor center and easy hikes. Never been to the famous mountain? Start here.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

A Timeline of Mount St. Helens

An explosive history of a volcano that’s over the hill.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Bill Nye, the Volcano Guy

Don’t underestimate the bow tie.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Journey Into the Crater of Mount St. Helens

A visit to the inner sanctum of a fitful volcano, as Bill Nye the Science Guy tags along.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Potty Plight

Hiking Trails Are Open! But What About Going to the Bathroom?

What to do when nature calls while you're socially distancing.

05/05/2020 By Allison Williams

Recreation jubilation

The Great Outdoors is Open for Business, Sorta

Hiking, boating, and fishing return to state lands, with restrictions; golf tees up, too.

04/27/2020 By Allison Williams

Stoned Wall

On a Day To Celebrate Legal Weed, Not Everyone's Invited to the Party

Happy 4/20! Cannabis stores are essential, and business is booming. Why isn't that a good thing for everyone?

04/20/2020 By Allison Williams

Making Do

No Sewing Machine? No Problem.

If you can't craft yourself a proper face cover, here's how to find, fashion, or buy a mask.

04/14/2020 By Allison Williams

Quote Unquote

Raquel Montoya-Lewis Is Ready for the State Supreme Court

“You either have to be a very decisive person or you have to be someone who can act like you are.”

04/09/2020 By Allison Williams

Basalt and Pepper

Ellensburg is the Center of the Earth (Or Washington, At Least)

The geologic wonderland of Central Washington finally gets a rock solid restaurant—and a friendly guide to the world famous landscape.

04/08/2020 By Allison Williams