Author: Jennie Flaming

25+ Interesting Things to Do in Anchorage Alaska

Anchorage makes a fantastic base camp if you’re exploring Alaska on your own. It has the least expensive flights from the rest of the US and around the world, the most rental cars and lodging and the most grocery stores with the best prices. If you’re heading to Alaska,...

Margaret’s Way Trail: Best Forest Hike near Seattle

The Margaret’s Way Trail is a gorgeous out and back trail close to Seattle that is my favorite forest hike close to town! This one even comes with a view at the very end of Mt Rainier! At 7 miles round trip and 1500 feet of elevation gain, it’s...

How to Find Less Crowded Hikes

As hiking has become more popular in the Pacific Northwest and the population has grown quickly, many hikers have noticed and been frustrated by big crowds at popular trailheads. If you’re like me, crowding, traffic and parking are daily realities in city life and you want to get away...

The 15 Best Washington Beaches

Washington Beaches are nearly as diverse as the diverse landscapes of the state overall. Many people (correctly!) associate Washington with rainy gray weather, but those can make for great beach days, Washington style! If you’re looking for a strip of sand to stretch out your beach towel and read,...

Wilderness Peak Loop Trail – Forest Workout Close to Town

The Wilderness Peak Loop trail is a perfect half day hike if you’re looking for something close to Seattle or Bellevue where you’ll have some challenge with no parking pass required! At just under 4 miles and 1200 feet of elevation gain, this hike is definitely steep in places....

21 Unique Things to do in Fairbanks in Summer

Fairbanks is a unique community that is quite different from other places that visitors generally go in Alaska. It is in Alaska’s interior, giving it a very different climate and weather than many other parts of Alaska. Far from the coast, interior Alaska is dominated by it’s rivers, spruce...

Master Camping Checklist for your Next Adventure

Camping is a fun and adventurous getaway but sometimes it can feel like so much WORK. This post is about how to have a camping checklist and keep your gear organized so that it’s much simpler to get out the door. I’ve spent at least several hundred nights camping...

12 Amazing Weekend Getaways from Seattle

One wonderful thing about living in the Seattle area or visiting Seattle is that there are so many incredible weekend getaways from Seattle that aren’t too far away. Within just a few hours, you can be in a completely different landscape, climate or even country! I’m defining amazing weekend...

Complete Road Trip Packing List

An important part of planning an amazing road trip is giving some thought to what you want to bring with you BEFORE it’s time to load the car. If you have a road trip packing list, then you’ll be confident that you have what you need for your adventure....

How to Plan a Road Trip You’ll Actually Enjoy

Road trips are a long American tradition and a great way to see much of North America! My parents are amazing road trippers and I’m so grateful to them for driving me around two continents for a good portion of my childhood. Unforgettable places and memories and exposure to...