Recreation
Visiting Mount St. Helens With Kids
Washington State has many amazing, beautiful places to visit, but none are quite as unique as Mount St. Helens. Before its eruption in 1980, Mount St. Helens stood tall and prominent in the western Washington sky. While not able to offer the same views today, Mount St. Helens still boasts extraordinary scenery and a landscape…
Read MoreHiking and Exploring Jolly Mountain
As I write this from the north Pasco countryside, early on a Friday afternoon, I look out the window of my study toward Badger Mountain, the Horse Heaven Hills and Jumpoff Joe. Typically, I would be able to see all three (although the wild roses growing outside my window obstruct my view of Jumpoff Joe,…
Read MoreHiking Goat Marsh Trail
I would not say I hiked the Goat Marsh Trail. I would say I experienced the Goat Marsh Trail. And what an incredible experience it was! The trail is not just an escape from a world down the mountain but is part of a different world altogether. This world has tall trees and a meadow,…
Read MoreSpending Three Days at Mount Rainier
For a while, I lived in a van. When it was time to explore any given place I usually gave myself an unlimited time limit on my adventuring since I lived where I parked. When it came time to hike in Mt. Rainier National Park, and after already doing my fair share of travel up…
Read MoreExploring Lake Lenore Caves
When you think of ancient caves, you may think you need to travel halfway across the country, or the world, to take this type of a step back in time. France, Indonesia, and in the U.S., Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, all come to mind. You may as well add the Coulee country of east-central…
Read MoreVirtual Tours to Take Through Washington State
While Washington begins to reopen in some areas, not everyone feels quite ready to be out and about just yet. Here are some fun ideas you can explore from home now, and add to your list to visit in person when the time is right. Harbor WildWatch Gig Harbor’s Harbor WildWatch has new marine life…
Read MoreExploring PenMet Parks
There’s something beautiful about walking in the woods. The weight of life’s stresses seems to fall off your shoulders, brushed off to the ground by a low hanging Douglas fir or western red cedar. The earthy smell of composting soil fills your senses as it rises from the forest floor, swirling in the golden streaks…
Read MoreSpending a Weekend in Northwest Whatcom County
Northwest Whatcom County is a hotspot for family-friendly adventures. Home to two state parks, miles of beach access, a brewery and fresh seafood eateries, it’s the go-to destination for folks seeking a beach vacation near Bellingham. From Semiahmoo to Birch Bay and Blaine, here’s how to spend a weekend in Northwest Whatcom County. Semiahmoo Surrounded…
Read MoreSpending A Day At Mount Spokane
Regardless of season, Mount Spokane State Park is a remarkable resource for outdoor adventure in the state of Washington. It is the tallest peak in the densely forested Selkirk Mountain range. It also happens to be the largest state park in Washington at 13,919 acres. On a clear day, visitors can see all the way…
Read MoreHiking Necessities for Washington State Trails
What’s worth the investment? As a self-proclaimed minimalist, I’m someone who only brings the gear I think I will need on a hike and rolls her eyes at fellow hikers spending hundreds on gear. Looking back over the many day-hikes I have completed here in Central Washington on the cheap, I reminisce and laugh as…
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