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 Alaska and the Pacific Northwest
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...
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...