Flock to See Shorebirds in Grays Harbor
Witness the magnificent migration of a million shorebirds on the Washington coast during the Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival.
The Cheapest Sleep of All
Waterfront property for $17 a night! Behold, an MSR Hubba Hubba backpacking tent along the Bumping River at Cougar Flat Campground, just east of Mount Rainier National Park. (update 2013: this campground is sadly closed because of storm damage). Reserve your summer campsites soon. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, camping reservations for campsites on federal […]
Washington State Parks on the Chopping Block
NOTE: This article was published in March 2009. UPDATE June 26, 2013: Washington State Parks is now funded in part by a user fee, the Discover Pass. However, state funding is a critical piece of the pie and is currently unstable again as the Washington State Legislature must pass a state budget by July 1 to […]
Cascades Escape: Scottish Lakes High Camp
Pssst. I’m writing this blog post in a whisper. Just to the northwest of Leavenworth, Washington, nestled in the Chiwaukum Mountains near larch-ringed lakes, is a very special place. It’s a collection of rustic, cozy cabins near a fabulous network of hiking and ski trails. Indeed, if paradise were found at 5000 feet elevation in […]
John Day Fossil Beds Rock my World
What a fantastic vacation a trip to Eastern Oregon makes. This varied landscape, rich with geologic history and natural beauty, features many surprising elements–ponderosa pine-topped mountains, meadows of tall native grasses and wildflowers, winding rivers and streams teaming with trout, stunning canyons and badlands, and real fossils that you can get close to. Add to […]
Kayaking Quadra Island
Have you always wanted to try your hand at kayaking? How about in one of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest? Whether you are a total novice in a kayak or an experienced paddler, you’ll love Quadra Island’s Discovery Islands Lodge (250-285-2823), a kayak hostel nestled in the Gulf Islands of B.C. Discovery […]
Let’s Go Camping in Washington! (Maybe…)
If you haven’t booked a getaway for the Memorial Day weekend yet, good luck. You might want to start sorting through the storage closet for your camping gear. Yet with snow levels keeping many popular campgrounds closed into June, finding even a campsite this weekend may pose a bit of a challenge. Here’s a bit […]
Hikers Paradise at Lake Quinault Lodge
Spring is my favorite season to visit Lake Quinault on the Olympic Peninsula. It’s not crowded. You have trails to yourself. And everything is green, green, green. Spring is also the season to catch specials at the historic Lake Quinault Lodge.You won’t find discounts in the summer months here, but off-season rates can be a […]
