We recently spent an extended weekend on Washington's Olympic Coast. Before heading out, we searched for overnight accommodations. After reading many of the positive reviews, 52 of them averaging out to 4.7 of 5 stars, we decided that the Miller Tree Inn Bed and Breakfast was going to be our home away from home for the next couple nights. The scenic coastline and forests of Forks and La Push certainly demanded more than one day of our attention!
Read MoreThis 1,545-acre state park provides 13 miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of equestrian trails. All sides of the park contain winding trails which eventually meet up with others and lead to the 2,000' summit. The Bullitt family donated 590-acres of land to the state, with other parcels acquired over the years, and the park was opened in 1972. The old Bullitt fireplace near the top of the mountain is a popular destination and is all that remains of the old homestead.
Read MoreConstructed between 1898 and 1917, Fort Worden was one of three posts collectively known as “The Triangle of Fire”. This triangle was strategically located to protect the Puget Sound and its surrounding cities from attacks by sea. The post never saw action and the state purchased the property in 1955 to turn it into Fort Worden Historical State Park. Hiking trails, historic lodging, a lighthouse, old batteries, and even a castle all make up the interesting parts of this 433-acre park. The location was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Read MoreThose who settled this land were John and Anna Schafer in 1872. Their sons created the Schafer Bros. Logging Company, which was once the largest in the Pacific Northwest. In 1924 the sons donated this site, which was home to Schafer family picnics, to the state of Washington. They continued to use the park for their company picnics up until the 1940s. In 2010, due to the amount of historic structures inside the park, it was added to the Washington Heritage Register and National Register of Historic Places.
Read MoreSaltwater State Park is located halfway between Seattle and Tacoma, in the city of Des Moines, Washington. When the park was dedicated in 1926 the two cities symbolically buried a hatchet within the park to end bad feelings between them. The majority of the park was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC). Throughout the park there are signs describing the CCC's work. Though air traffic from nearby SeaTac Airport is pretty constant, this remains one of the most popular parks within the Puget Sound region.
Read MoreDo you ever get the feeling that you don't quite know who you are yet? Maybe you need a voyage of discovery. A journey like no other that will help you to find yourself. Many people like to get away from their regular lives for a time and do something completely different. Trying to figure out who you are on the road can be hard, and that's why you need a really specific kind of trip.
Read MoreThere are so many reasons why you will love hiking. Being surrounded by nature, feeling free, and enjoying the views of the area are just a few things we like about it. And there are so many great places to go for the ultimate trekking experience. You can find many on our blog which should be on your to-do list. But if you are new to hiking, you need to ensure you adequately prepare for the trip. After all, it’s so important to stay safe while on the hike. We've put together a few items people often forget to take on their adventure, but they are must-haves for a first hike!
Read MoreHappy Halloween! It's the time of year when our imaginations lean toward the eerie and mysterious. A perfect time for us to share one of our trip reports of a ghost town, Melmont Ghost Town. Uninhabited and reasonably easy to get to, it's worthy of your chill seeking!
Read MoreAs the end of the year approaches, we've taken a moment to consider a few of our favorite hikes in 2016. While the rain may have begun in the PNW, there's still time to get out and find some favorite hikes of your own. Here are three that topped our list this year!
Read MoreFall is here, the air is crisp, the light is golden. A favorite time of year for many, the transition from the heat of summer to the chill of winter, Fall offers mild temps, colors and aromas unique to the season. As might be expected, imaginings of pumpkin patches, corn mazes, scarecrows, and hay bales are standards in the more rural locales.
Read MoreTen miles north of Mt. Rainier, located in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Suntop Lookout sits at an elevation of 5,270' and overlooks the valleys of the White River and Huckleberry Creek. On a clear day, the views go on for miles, reaching all the way to the Olympic Mountains to the west and Mt. Baker to the north. Originally built in 1933 to watch for forest fires, the lookout is now open to the public. Hiking to the peak can either be challenging if you opt for the 16 mile route or easy if you choose the 0.5 mile option. Still not easy enough? You can also drive all the way to the top.
Read MoreSome of our trips require well thought out plans. Sometimes though, we just need to get outdoors. The work week had been hectic and we miraculously ended up with a free evening. We seized the opportunity and found a campground with open spots. It's been awhile since we paid a visit to the Pacific Ocean, so over the weekend we made a drive west to Pacific Beach State Park. The park is adjacent to the beach and is surrounded by the town of Moclips. It's a 10-acre park with 2,300 feet of sandy shoreline, which makes great for beach combing.
Read MoreIf you're looking for a variety of animals to photograph, and you don't have the time to wait and get lucky while hiking, Northwest Trek is a good alternative. Here you can take a 50-minute tram ride that loops through 435 acres of free-roaming mammal habit, get up close and personal with some of the smaller animals in the forest animal viewing decks, and more.
Read MoreWIN Detergent is made for those that leave behind an odor of which they don't feel comfortable with while being around others.
Read MoreBridgeport State Park is out there in the middle of eastern Washington, which is a region of little rain and desert-like conditions. You would think the long drive out this way wouldn’t be worth it when you could easily find something much closer, on the western side of the state, where nature is more lush and welcoming. We didn’t expect anything great, but hey, we’re trying to knock out a visit to every state park, so we still made our way out there. The park greatly exceeded our expectations and is actually much nicer than some of our nearer parks. We loved it!
Read MoreWant to take a step back in time? A time when humans were as small as insects in comparison to the surrounding forest? This is the place for you. No time machine required.
Read MoreThis easy hike along the Pacific Crest Trail leads to the beautiful Sheep Lake. It's a pretty short trek, just under an hour for us even though we stopped for lots of photos along the way. It's easy to see why the area is so popular. The water is clear and looks inviting; the peaks, meadows, and tress make for a beautiful backdrop; and the peacefulness throughout the area makes it hard to leave. With this being an easy to reach trailhead, as well as an easy hike, everyone should make it out here at least once. The rewards for the lack of difficulty are hard to find elsewhere.
Read MoreSummer is here, maybe. Actually, it comes and goes every few days. We're still trying to figure out this crazy weather. However, when the sun is around it warms up quite a bit! Enough to discourage many from leaving home to explore. We don't want you to stop your adventures because of the heat. So we put together five great spots worth checking out on a hot day. Each location will keep you cool enough so you don't melt!
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