Storm Watching on the Oregon Coast

Arch Rocks

There’s a basalt outcropping on the Oregon Coast south of Depoe Bay that’s called Cape Foulweather. It was named by Captain James Cook as he searched for a passage to the Atlantic Ocean. As we know, that quest didn’t exactly work out for him, but he sure got something right. Winter storms on the Oregon […]

Best Spots for Storm Watching in Washington State

Imagine you’re watching  a 30-foot ocean swell pound itself against a basalt headland while you sip scotch from your plush recliner, safely behind double-pane glass. Outside, it’s raining horizontally. Winds are topping 60 mph, howling off the ocean and bringing the spray of salt along for the ride. And you are warm and dry and just […]

Five Tips for Affordable Romantic Getaways in the Pacific Northwest

  Valentines Day is upon us! These next couple of weekends might just be the perfect opportunity to whisk away your sweetheart for a romance-filled weekend to some secluded cabin or cozy inn. Of course, booking your Valentine’s weekend is your first step toward romance. But what if you’re really on a budget? Like, so on a […]

A Respite at Timberline Lodge

Timberline Lodge

I looked out the wood-framed window panes from my tweed-upholstered armchair. Yep, we were at timberline. Where the lodgepole pines ended, permanent snowfields began. From there, a dense cloud cover obscured everything skyward, including the top of Mount Hood. We were on Mount Hood. Timberline Lodge is an iconic Pacific Northwest landmark, and hailed as […]

Got a Payroll Tax Cut? Take a Local Trip.

While Congress squabbles over the merits and pitfalls of extending the middle-class payroll tax cut worth about $1000 per family for another year, I am already spending mine. In my head, anyway. One thousand dollars will buy us a couple of nice local family getaways next year, and help stimulate the local tourism economy in the […]

Stressed Out? You Need a Holiday Getaway in the City

Have you experienced any of the following in the past week? Hives. Elevated blood pressure. Insomnia. Swearing like a sailor. Increased tolerance to caffeinated beverages. See, I knew it. What you need is a getaway. An emergency pre-holiday getaway. I know, I know. Who has time? The key is to just drop everything, right now, […]

The Chemainus Inn

The town of Chemainus on Vancouver Island is famed for it’s beautiful murals and professional Chemainus Theatre that puts on six shows a year. It’s only about an hour north of Victoria and 20 minutes south of Nanaimo, so it’s an easy stop if you’re touring the south end of the island.  And if your […]

NEWS: Washington Coast Getaway, Haunted Hikes

Are we there yet?   We’ve just begun planning our annual fall roadtrip, which we do the week of Thanksgiving. The impending wrath of another La Nina has got us feeling less than ambitious, though. Our old rear-wheel Volvo wagon is our only set of wheels. About once a month, my Mom emails me a […]

NEWS: Fall Hikes, Rainy Rainforest

Psst…. get our premier guide to fall travel – Autumn Escapes in the Pacific Northwest. Get inspired to spend your fall weekends combing rocky beaches, savoring the harvest, and hiking scenic mountain trails of Washington and Oregon. Get it here. Are your vine maple leaves turning color yet? My calendar says that tomorrow is October 1. Autumn will […]

NEWS: Foraging for Clams, Northwest Life Lists, Green Travel

Summer’s not over yet. (Oh, to be a kid in the Pacific Northwest where the school year starts after Labor Day!) Make these last weekends count, people. 1. KUOW’s Weekday radio program tackled an all-important question last week: What’s on your Northwest Life List? Local travel writer Crai Bower refuses to call it a bucket […]