Chelsea Asplund October 24, 2014 6:30am

Photo courtesy of Modo Yoga Facebook page.

Alright, it’s (just about) time to face the music. November is almost here and we must accept the fact that soon enough the days will get shorter and colder. I promise you now, that at some point, rain will ruin an epic Green Lake run or activity you had planned. But never fear, the neighborhood has great indoor alternatives.

Here’s five ideas to plan for the rainy days ahead:

1. Treat Yourself to a Fancy Coffee. True Seattle form, Green Lake has more than 10 coffee shops in  a two mile radius. But if you’re like me (and perhaps I’m a rare breed), you haven’t spent much time in the coffee shops themselves. On a rainy day try Revolutions Coffee. They’re tucked away next to Road Runner Sports and have plenty of seating and board games that tempt you to stay.  If you’re on the other side of the lake, pop-into Bauhaus Coffee for a coffee and a treat. We hear good things about the ham and cheese croissant and their quinoa salads.
2. Go on a Recipe Hunt at PCC. A good rainy day just beckons for cooking. Take a trip to the PCC (two Green Lake locations – Aurora and Green Lake Village) and steer towards their pamphlet display. Usually near the entrance, the display has free recipes and guides to cooking with seasonal ingredients.  How to cook an acorn squash? Probably there. Find a recipe that speaks to you and go fetch your ingredients.
3. Have a Boot and Bavarian Brezel at Prost. Prost in Phinney Ridge is a German style pub, with the name German equivalent to the English toast “cheers.” Bring your friends, grab a stool and order a 2 liter glass boot for $18 (+ $50 breakage deposit). The custom is that once you buy the boot, it has to be passed within your group and cannot touch the table. Satisfy your hunger with a Bavarian Brezel, a fresh morning star Bavarian pretzel served with salt and German mustard.
4. Try Hot Yoga.  You know you’ve thought about it. Green Lake currently has two yoga studios that offer hot yoga. I Love Hot Yoga offers hatha, vinyasa and yin yoga classes, heated between 95-110 degrees. I Love Hot Yoga does not require instructors to teach set sequences, so every class is different.  New student package includes 10 classes for $30. Modo Yoga, is a green, clean hot yoga series that stretches, strengthens and tones the muscles while detoxifying the body and calming the mind.  The studio offers an intro special your first month, $49 for unlimited classes.
5. Curl up with a Good Book (First, Get a Library Card). Libraries are still alive and well, and Seattle’s Green Lake branch has an active pulse with monthly calendars of events, children  readings and more worth looking into. To sign-up for a free card, bring your photo I.D. as well as a recent piece of mail to prove your address. In less than 10 minutes you’ll walk out the door with a card and access with thousands of books. If you’re not satisfied with the Green Lake’s collection, reserve books online and have them delivered to the branch. They have a great mobile app that makes it even easier.

What are some of your favorite Green Lake rainy day activities? Add them below!