My blogs posts about the great state of Washington.
What is the quirkiest thing you can think of where you live? I always love finding out new and interesting things about my area of the world. So I decided to go on a mission to hunt for what makes the Pacific Northwest unique. I searched Oregon, Washington State, and British Columbia for those…
My review of Seattle’s many many neighborhoods continues. You can find my first collection of Seattle neighborhoods HERE. Dare to go beyond Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, the touristy waterfront the really DIG DEEP into Seattle’s vibrant neighborhoods. One thing I will say about Seattle…it is a HILLY town. You will find yourself constantly…
The North Cascades is a wilderness paradise. My previous trip to the Northern Cascade Loop took us on a couple of epic hikes, with some of the best backpacking Washington State has to offer, but little did I know there is so much to the area of northern Washington State than meets the eye. I…
High up on a hill in the forests of the Columbia River Gorge is Skamania Lodge, a destination resort unlike anything I’ve experienced. I have traversed the Oregon side of the Gorge countless times, but exploring the Washington side? Little did I know what treasures awaited me. Turns out there is so much to do…
April is Tulip time in northwestern Washington, and even though it’s too late to go now for 2019 because your friendly neighborhood blogger didn’t tell you about it until now… There’s always next year. Put it this way, it’s never too early to start planning, because Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley, Washington is a big…
Are you tired of seeing travel bucket lists? No? Oh good, because here’s another one. I have an entire board on Pinterest devoted to my own personal bucket list. Places like Patagonia, Mongolia, Venice before it sinks into oblivion. The list goes on. Until I came to the realization… I am living in a bucket…
Tucked away in the heart of Bellevue, WA, lies a lovely cabin, mere steps from the Meydenbauer Bay, Lake Washington. About ten miles from the heart of Seattle, this is the perfect place to get away from a hectic day of sightseeing in the city. I arrived much too late for my taste, around nine…
There’s just something about coastal towns in Washington State that fascinate me. Unlike small communities of the land-locked variety, a tiny city on Puget Sound exudes an air of mysterious wonder all their own. Because people tend to flock toward the water when on vacation, these best small towns near Seattle are used to a…
Updated June, 2022. Bainbridge Island is a large, gorgeous island due west of Seattle across Elliott Bay and Puget Sound, which makes is among the best day trips from Seattle. With the historic and quaint town of Winslow just off the ferry landing, this is the perfect day-trip from Seattle. And its history is quite…
Yes, this post is about the best food in Seattle, and I tried to make the title stand out a bit. I mean, just how many blogs have you read so far of “The Best Places to Eat in Seattle”? I’m guessing a lot. Or, “Best Places to Eat in Seattle on a Budget,” or,…
I do like to share the love. However, to quote Yoda, only one woman, I am. Wait, no he didn’t say that, but that’s how he speaks. I can only do so much. Running a Pacific Northwest travel blog is incredibly rewarding, but it’s damn hard work. And as much as I’d like to write every…
Don’t you sometimes just want to simplify your life? Travel more? The vast majority of us (at least in America) are bogged down by the roof over our heads. About 72% of us spend a full 50% of our income on our homes. That’s insane!! It’s a big reason why Americans have an unprecedented amount…
One of the most uniquely Pacific Northwest activities you can do is to spend an afternoon shellfishing. There are dozens of great beaches along Oregon and Washington (especially Puget Sound) where shellfishing is a regular activity for the locals. It is also the perfect family activity, as kids get a kick out of digging in…
Ah….the age-old Pacific Northwest question! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked that one! Okay, so without making you scroll all the way down to the end of this blog post, I’m just going to tell you what the answer is RIGHT NOW. Are you ready???? Wait for it….. …
First of all….CONGRATULATIONS on your upcoming PNW adventure. You are going to have so much FUN. But now it’s time to start thinking about getting to the nitty-gritty of things and figure out what to pack for Oregon, Washington, or British Columbia…the cities, the country, the mountains, the coast, you’ll want to pack thoughtfully. ***This…
For people who love the outdoors, there is no greater destination than the Pacific Northwest. And for skiers? Whew-eee! You simply cannot call yourself a skier if you haven’t been to one of our gorgeous ski resorts. Okay, maybe that was a bit harsh. But if you haven’t yet been, then what are you waiting…
**This post was updated February 23rd, 2025** The late great David Lynch’s television masterpiece, Twin Peaks, enjoyed cult success in the 1990’s. Recently it has been resurrected (unlike Laura Palmer) in the form of several new shows available for streaming thru Showtime via Amazon. Twin Peaks definitely has its hardcore fans. And with good reason!…
**This post was updated on February 11, 2025** Looking for free camping in Washington State? You’ve hit the jackpot! Camping is one of the premier outdoor experiences you can have. It seems that when planning a trip that includes the best tent camping in Washington State, there are various things you should consider. The time…
The Pacific Crest Trail. It’s on every serious hiker’s to-do list. To walk the entire length from the Mexican Border near Campo, CA all the way up through Washington State and 12km into Manning Park, BC, Canada – now that’s a feat! The trail snakes through some of the nation’s most spectacular mountain and…
**This article was updated in June 2022.** I have always been a rebel. If the crowd is going one way, I’m likely to go the opposite direction. That is unless I’m looking for a good place to eat. I will rarely go into a café if the place is empty. When it comes to food,…
