It’s feeling like a stretch to remember that the summer solstice is a week away. Luxuriously long days remind us, sure. But my puffy down vest is getting a lot of use. Too much use. Kale is exploding in our garden, though, a benefit of the cooler June in Seattle. Here’s hoping for a real start to summer soon.
And here’s what caught my eye in local travel this week.
1. Commercial Street in Nanaimo was just named the #1 “Greatest Street in Canada.” Pretty cool. They’ll be celebrating in Nanaimo this weekend with a street party. Planning a trip to Nanaimo soon, or just need a little inspiration? Check out our Trip Guide to Nanaimo, and take note of just how many of my favorite Nanaimo restaurants are on Commercial Street. See? It’s a pretty great street.
2. Nothing says summer like camping outside. The outdoors blog on The Oregonian just highlighted its reader-picked “best island vacation” and the winner is camping at Fort Casey State Park on Whidbey Island. The state park is adjacent to the Coupeville Ferry Terminal, which services Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula. I’ve never camped here, but I’ve been birding at Keystone Spit and Crocket Lake here a dozen or so times, always admiring the sweeping views of Admiralty Inlet and amazingly well-kept lighthouse. The park includes 35 tent sites, and all are first-come first-serve, so have a backup plan if they’re full. Don’t miss hiking at Ebey’s Landing right next door – one of our favorite all-season day hikes.
3. Are you into road trips? I’m way into road trips. I grew up taking road trips with my family, squeezed into the backseat, carefully keeping track of which sibling was flagrantly crossing the ever-important “dividing line.” (I was the middle child, by way of explanation…) Anyway, BC Tourism has these really cool Road Trip driving routes through BC that range from a few hours to a few days. Each is mapped out with the option of viewing nearby places to stay and things to do along the way.
4. This past weekend, before the Canucks lost and downtown Vancouver briefly became a rioting zone, there were a lot of shiny, happy people in Vancouver for Travel Blog Exchange 2011. By all accounts, there was a lot, lot, lot of good eating and drinking going on. Which is not at all surprising. A local Vancouver blogger who also likes to put favorite things into fives (who knew I was trendy?) shared his five favorite foodie spots in YVR with TBEX conference attendees. Looking tasty.
5. Tomorrow I’m headed to the green-themed Wild Strawberry Festival in Burien, which is a stone’s throw away from our house in West Seattle. If you haven’t been to downtown B-town lately, you should schedule a day trip.
Have a great weekend!
