What better place to indulge in a glass than Washington state—an unsuspected leader in amazing, American wines. I’m no expert, but I can suggest a few wines that top my current list of Washington wine favorites. Prices vary, but you’ll find a wine for every occasion. Continue reading 5 Washington State Wines to Uncork This Year
As you can guess by the title we didn’t make it to the top, where sits a colorful mailbox full of hiking treasures. We could blame it on the weather, but really we were ill prepared and misguided. The New Mailbox Peak Hiking Trail isn’t a walk in the park, but the views we did see left an impression that will have us returning for a true ascent soon. Grab your crampons and buckle up for some serious adventure. Continue reading A Snowy Attempt at New Mailbox Peak
Looking for a quick ski trip close to Seattle? Steven’s Pass is a favorite among local and visitors alike. While I’m not sure I’d recommend visiting the slopes on New Years weekend, we found plenty to do without waiting in lift lines. Picturesque snowy landscapes, an adventurous hike, snowmobiling, and a quaint town await in Plain, Washington. Continue reading Plain, Washington: Not flashy, but definitely not boring.
You’ve seen the photos—Washington’s unofficial “most-Instagrammed” waterfall—and you wonder if it’s really all that cool. Franklin Falls is a photographer’s dream. A wild and tall falls just a quick 30 min walk to and fro, that’s suitable for absolutely any age and capability (read: very easy). It’s worth walking to in the rain or snow, and I’m looking forward to getting back there when it’s frozen. Continue reading Franklin Falls: Washington’s Unofficial “Most-Instagrammed” Waterfall
It doesn’t quite feel like the holidays until you’ve seen a light dusting of snow that finally sticks to the ground. It gently covers everything in sight and makes you feel pure bliss for wintertime, if only for a brief moment. We couldn’t have picked a better trail to experience pure bliss on than Annette Lake Trail in North Bend, WA. Continue reading First Snow at Annette Lake Trail
If you live in Western Washington, you can’t let a little rain get you down. When in search of a great rainy day hike near Seattle, my roommate stumbled upon the well-known Wallace Falls Trail. A fun, quick hike up a roaring waterfall, with a handful of lookout points where you can stop and enjoy the mist. Continue reading Rainy Day Hiking: Wallace Falls Trail
Orcas Island, WA is known for being the biggest of the San Juan Islands and the northern-most island, making it a popular destination for whale watching and weekend getaways. The quaint downtown makes for great window shopping and local eats, while Moran State Park and numerous whale watching charters give you a taste of the pacific northwest outdoors. It is a serene retreat just hours from Seattle with plenty of hidden treasures. Continue reading Orcas Island Weekend Getaway
I’ve lived in Seattle for exactly 3 months now. Whoa. Having been a tourist myself for at least the first month, I hit some very crucial attractions simply because they were “so Seattle.” If you’re from Seattle, you know the places I’m talking about: Starbucks Reserve Roastery, Pike Place Market, the Space Needle. They’re great and all, but having now hosted an almost incredible amount … Continue reading The Perfect “Seattle Tourist Attractions” Day
What I’ve learned about mushrooms, what chanterelles are, and how to forage in the Pacific Northwest. I recently attended one of REI’s member classes on chanterelles and have to share the magic. Continue reading Mushroom Foraging in the Pacific Northwest: Chanterelles
A magical mountain town that’s worth a visit; Leavenworth is a year-round favorite for weekend getaways, outdoor adventures, and heavy drinking. If you’re really ambitious, you’ll combine all three. Here’s a look at Leavenworth on a normal weekend and a sneak peak at Oktoberfest. Continue reading Leavenworth Oktoberfest and Other Bavarian Fun
Where in Washington 