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...
Why you should visit Kootenay National Park in Canada
Most travelers have heard of Banff and Jasper National Parks in Alberta and the crowds there reflect their popularity! Often people have not heard of their close neighbor, Kootenay National Park which is absolutely incredible. If you’re interested in avoiding crowds and seeing amazing things that might be less...
Best Places to Eat in Alaska according to Alaskans
If you’re planning a visit to Alaska, then you want to know where to find the best food! Alaska excels at bakeries, seafood so make sure to fit in as many bakeries and as much seafood as possible during your trip. Pizza and beer is another frequent option that...
How to Hike all Winter in Washington State
You likely know, dear reader, that I believe it getting outside as much as possible! Ordinary Adventures is all about keeping it low key so that you can get out more! Previously I’ve talked about how to start hiking as well as how to hike more often. One way...
Best things to do in Alaska, according to Alaskans
Wanting to find the things in Alaska that Alaskans love to do? If Alaskans love them, you know they will also be amazing for visitors. Right? As a former Alaskan, I am excited to share this post about the best things to do in Alaska because all these ideas...
Best Rainy Day Hikes in Olympic National Park
Don’t let the rain keep you away from Olympic National Park! This is a place world famous for it’s rain, it’s lush green forests, rushing waterfalls and remote beaches! Olympic National Park also has hikes with sweeping mountain views, but those are not as good for rainy days. In...
Rattlesnake Mountain Traverse Hike near Seattle
I have no idea why this is called Rattlesnake Mountain. We don’t have rattlesnakes in this part of the state and there’s nothing whatsoever that makes me think of a Rattlesnake here. But, that’s the name of this well known area in North Bend! Described below is a trail...
Cherry Creek Falls Hike
The Cherry Creek Falls hike is a beautiful half day hike and one of the best waterfall hikes near Seattle. At 5 miles and 500 feet of elevation gain, it’s a good workout but not extremely steep. There is a lot of mud on this trail and some potentially...
Iron Horse Trail in North Bend
Despite a lifetime of hiking in Washington, I’ve often not had this trail on my radar, except as a bike ride through the Snoqualmie tunnel further up the trail or access point for other hikes like Twin Falls or Cedar Butte. It’s great for those purposes, but this section...
Denali National Park Road Lottery Trip Planner
Is Denali National Park on your list of dream destinations? Most visitors visit during the summer season but I’d like to convince you that a September visit (which is fall in interior Alaska) is the way to go. The Denali Road Lottery is a special event hosted by the...