Mossy Boots

STAY & PLAY: Soft Beds and Desert Hikes in Washington’s Canyon Country

There’s no better way to experience the natural splendor of our Pacific Northwest landscapes than hiking, and if you make a weekend of it you can squeeze in two hikes! Not into camping? Even a soft-bed enthusiast can hike a desert canyon or enjoy a creekside stroll without ever setting foot (or head) in a tent. To […]

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Day Hikes and Cheap Sleeps in Washington’s Columbia River Gorge

Are you in search of sunshine, open vistas and fields of wildflowers? Don’t wait for summer–find these adventures now on the sunny Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. Sunshine and springtime wildflowers draw adventurers to the east end of the Columbia River Gorge. The views open up and you can see for miles. Oak trees […]

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BOOK: Best Hikes with Kids, Western Washington

You had a baby, shelled out the cash for a primo baby carrier, and have packed all the snacks (and the ten essentials!) Only question left is: where to hike? A completely revised edition of the popular book Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington by hiking expert Susan Elderkin has just hit bookstores, and I was […]

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Free Admission Days to National Parks in 2018

On a budget?  Our National Parks offer free admission days for 2018. The number of fee-free days has been reduced from ten days to only four days in 2018, so you’ll definitely want these days marked on your calendars! Free U.S. National Park Admission Days for 2018 January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day […]

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Camping Coffee Six Ways

When I plan a camping trip there are a few comforts that are non-negotiable, even when hiking deep into the backcountry. One is warmth, and I have a ridiculously low-temp sleeping bag with a waterproof shell to ensure I will never again stay up all night shivering.  The other is hot morning coffee, preferably ready […]

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Five Great Urban Paddle Day Trips in the Pacific Northwest

One of the greatest assets of living near so much water is getting out into it. In much of the Pacific Northwest, our cities and neighborhoods are literally surrounded by sparkling bodies of water—rivers, small lakes, large lakes and even a big, beautiful saltwater sound. And while all this water is lovely to look at, it’s […]

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Waterfall Weekend: Columbia River Gorge

I know it’s unconventional, but I don’t subscribe to the idea of “summer vacation.” Here’s the deal: my family takes our vacations in small, weekend-sized chunks close to our home base of Seattle. With our energy-filled son in tow, we combine outdoor activities like day hiking with exploring small towns or visiting local wineries. Local, bite-sized […]

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Free Admission Days to National Parks in 2017

On a budget? Then mark your calendars! Our National Parks offer FREE admission days for 2017. Free U.S. National Park Admission Days for 2017 January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day February 20: Presidents’ Day April 15-16 and 22-23: Weekends of National Park Week August 25: National Park Service Birthday September 30: National Public Lands […]

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Amp Your Camp: New Essentials for Modern Camping

Camping season is almost here! In just a few short weeks, we’ll be sleeping under the stars atop a plateau in the Eastern Washington desert. And then under old growth at Mount Rainier. And then steps from the beach on Whidbey Island… Where will you be camping this year? (and have you made your campground […]

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Road Trip: Olympic National Park

One of the nation’s most-visited natural treasures, Olympic National Park is a place of great beauty, mystery and intrigue. Ancient trees stand like giants, tall enough to pierce the sky. Chartreuse moss drapes across the canopy. The forest floor is carpeted in ferns. And at the edge of it all, a beach more wild than […]

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