Seattle’s Lunar New Year Celebration

It’s the Year of the Snake. My friend Shane Farnor captured this lion dancing in Seattle’s Chinatown/International District as part of the Lunar New Year Festival this past weekend, along with plenty of kung fu, firecrackers, and lanterns.  

Kayaking Hood Canal

On the still waters of Hood Canal, a kayaker approaches the north shore. Photo by Lana_aka_BADGRL. On Hood Canal’s south shore in the town of Union, Alderbrook Resort’s 1500-foot dock includes rentals for peddle-boats, kayaks and canoes from Hood Canal Adventures. They offer guided excursions as well. Read more about exploring Hood Canal’s south shore.  

Fishing in the City

Perhaps you’ve seen them fishing off the pier along Ruston Way in Tacoma, or casting from the beach in West Seattle. Have you wondered what those people are fishing for? That depends on the season. And of course, the time of day. This coming August we’ll host a run of pink salmon in Puget Sound. They surge into our […]

On the Mountain with Jack Kerouac

In 1956, twelve years before the land under his boots would become North Cascades National Park, Jack Kerouac spent 63 days in the deep, craggy wilderness of Washington state. It was a year before the publication of On The Road, a year before Jack Kerouac would become a household name and a beat generation icon. […]

The Earth has Music

Photo: Mount Tamalpais State Park in Marin County, California. Photo by Colleen Proppe.

Nature Heals

photo credit: Glacier National Park by V.D. Vanlue via flickr creative commons.

Hiking after the Rain

The sun is out today, and it’s time to get outside! When the rain returns, keep hiking with these suggestions from Washington Trails Association.

Autumn Larch Gold in Kettle Falls

My friend Bruce McGlenn is one of those Northwesterners who belongs outside. When he’s not hunting for elk or fishing for trout, he’s off building a cabin or consulting on some environmental project. His Facebook page is filled with Northwest backcountry beauty, like this gem of blazing larches he photographed recently in Washington’s northeast corner. This photograph was […]

Greetings from Snoqualmie Falls

I’ve been experimenting with Photoshop to replicate some of my favorite vintage postcard designs. This, of course, is Snoqualmie Falls. The font is inspired by none other than Twin Peaks. And, am I ever grateful that old episodes of Twin Peaks are on Netflix. However would I get through a Pacific Northwest winter without it?

Sampling Beer in Sisters

Central Oregon is the kind of place where people like to enjoy themselves. You know, live a little. Or a lot. I sensed this when I was taking a stroll downtown Bend recently. Suddenly a giant peddle-powered brewpub on wheels rolled past me on the street. Its patrons were waving enthusiastically as they pedaled past. But that’s a […]