Top 12 Hikes in Washington State from a Seattleite
Do you know how hard it is to choose the very BEST hikes in Washington State?? It’s extremely hard! We have so many amazing hikes all over the state to choose from, but I limited myself to my 12 all time favorites. All of these hikes are mellow or...
Alaska on a Budget: 20 Ways to Save Money on your trip
Dreaming of a trip to Alaska? But worried about how to visit Alaska on a budget? This article is for you! I lived in Alaska for years and still spend lots of time there every year visiting friends and working as a tour director. Alaska is an expensive destination,...
12 Best Year round Day Trips from Seattle
One of the many wonderful things about Seattle is that there are so many things to do outside the city! Seattle is surrounded by a vast diversity of landscapes within a few hours, including islands, forests, mountains, orchards, farmland and desert canyons. In this post I’ll talk about the...
Skyline Lake Snowshoe: Steep, Short and Spectacular
A Skyline Lake snowshoe outing is a spectacular trip at Stevens Pass with spectacular views and winter beauty! While short it is STEEP and therefore can’t be considered easy (3 miles round trip and 1100 feet of elevation gain). I wouldn’t recommend it for your first time on snowshoes...
Cross Country Skiing Kamloops – perfect winter weekend
Sometimes when it’s rained for months, and you just want to see some sun and have fun outside without rain, it’s nice to have a road trip getaway to a different environment that isn’t too far from home. Cross country skiing Kamloops BC is a favorite winter activity of...
Mother Mountain Loop Backpacking in Mt Rainier
As of Spring 2025, a bridge washout has caused an indefinite closure to the Carbon River Entrance of Mt Rainier National Park, including Carbon River Trails and Mowich Lake Trails. If the road reopens, I will update this article. Looking for a less-hassle or shorter alternative to the Wonderland...
Olympic Coast Backpacking at Second Beach: Excellent for Beginners
Even though it’s a long drive from Seattle, Olympic Coast backpacking at Second Beach in Olympic National Park is an excellent first backpacking trip for beginners as well as a fun and relaxing trip for those with more experience. The best way to experience one of the best beaches...
How to See the Northern Lights in Fairbanks Alaska
Seeing the Northern Lights is a life long dream for so many people and I’m going to share everything you need to know to see the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska, the best place in the world to see them. I was lucky enough to live in Fairbanks, Alaska...
Why March is the Best Time to Visit Fairbanks Alaska
I might be the only person to tell you that March is the best time to visit Fairbanks Alaska but it’s true. Stay with me here and remember that I lived in Fairbanks for years and still visit regularly (in the winter) before you decide I’m nuts. Fairbanks in...
Weekend in Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula
A weekend in Port Angeles is a change of pace and scenery from Seattle and approachable at an hour and a half drive plus a ferry ride. Port Angeles is the biggest gateway community for Olympic National Park and a hub of economic activity on the Olympic Peninsula. This...