Kites are a common sight on the beaches of Southwestern Washington. I remember staying at Ocean Shores with family many years ago and being fascinated by the stunt kites being flown in the mornings and later afternoons almost every day. Get Inspired To Go Fly a Kite! Most of us remember flying a single string…
Johnston Ridge Observatory-Mount Saint Helens We reached the top of SR 504 at Johnston Ridge Observatory and saw what seemed to be an alien landscape. In the previous entries in this series, I talked about the surrounding forests and how the trees had been replanted. When you reach Johnston Ridge there aren’t any replanted forests….
Where were you when the mountain blew? If you’ve lived in Washington state very long, you have no doubt been asked this question. For those of us who lived here on that day 38 years ago (yes, it’s really been that long) we can answer that one easily. A major volcanic eruption tends to be the…
Many of us have family members who have served in the Armed Forces. Perhaps you have served, yourself. There is something for everyone at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis. With the mission statement “They shall not be forgotten” the museum does a fantastic job of telling the stories of veterans from the local area….
Looking for an easy hike surrounded by gorgeous mountain vistas? Look no further than the Big Four Ice Caves. The trail is 2.2 miles from the paved parking area and varies from paved sections to gravel and boardwalks. The climb isn’t too strenuous, and there are places to stop along the way to catch your…
The Ape Cave, that is. Concealed within the beautiful Gifford Pinchot National Forest on the southern slopes of Mount Saint Helens is a remarkable opportunity. Discovered in 1951, the Ape Cave is a natural lava tube lying just beneath the forest floor by logger Lawrence Johnson. He brought back Harry Reese and family to discover…
An annual rite of spring in Washington State, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Mount Vernon draws visitors from all over the world each year. The festival begins this year on April 1 and runs through the end of the month. The photos below were taken on April 10. Video of the Tulips near Mount…
