Blueberries held in hand
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Visiting Canter-Berry Farms: More Than Just a U-Pick Blueberry Farm

Along a winding country road beneath the shadow of Mt. Rainier lies a blueberry farm fondly known as Canter-Berry Farms. To the unknowing tourist, the farm appears to be an idyllic and tranquil spot to bring one’s family and spend time together gathering and grazing on blueberries. While this description is all true, what most…

Olmstead Place Barn Quilts
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Drive the Kittitas County Barn Quilt Trail

Kittitas County is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities like fishing, hiking and a lesser known gem — Washington state’s first barn quilt trail. The Kittitas County Barn Quilt Trail features more than 100 painted quilt squares up on barns from Roslyn to Ellensburg. While social distancing is in place, this is a great way…

downtown building
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Spending a Weekend in Ellensburg

Ellensburg, Washington, is just a two-hour drive from Seattle and is one of the hidden gems of the Pacific Northwest. Located east of the Cascade Mountain Range off Interstate 90, Ellensburg offers outdoor recreation like biking, fishing on the Yakima River, hiking and more. The charming city is home to around 20,000 people, and is…

Forest trail
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A Hike Through Federation Forest State Park

A few miles past Enumclaw, along the winding path carved by Route 410, Federation Forest State Park sits nestled by the mighty White River. Though perhaps not as showy or intimidating as other parks around Mt. Rainier, Federation Forest State Park offers a quiet refuge where families and hikers of all levels can enjoy the…

Lime Kiln Lighthouse in San Juan Island, Washington
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Spending a Weekend on San Juan Island

San Juan Island sits in the northwest corner of Washington state, just across the water from Canada. Located three hours north of Seattle by car and ferry, San Juan Island hosts visitors from around the world. It is one of four islands in the San Juan Island archipelago served by the Washington State Ferry system. …

Long Beach Kite Museum
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World Kite Museum in Long Beach, WA

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…

La Conner benches at the waterfront
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Spending a Day in La Conner

La Conner is an artsy waterfront community located on the Swinomish Channel in the Skagit Valley. Home to boutique shops, eateries, winery tasting rooms and a brewpub, it’s an ideal day trip destination from the Seattle area or Vancouver, BC. Spend a day walking the length of 1st Street and beyond to explore all that…

lake
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Spending a Day in Seattle’s Green Lake Neighborhood

One of my favorite aspects of living in the Seattle area is all of the different experiences you are surrounded with.  The Green Lake neighborhood is just north of downtown Seattle. A quick 15-minute drive will take you away from the high rises and bring you to this low-key neighborhood built around the lake it’s…

Gold Creek Pond
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Gold Creek Park: Visiting the Pond

If you are looking for a short, accessible hike that offers stunning views of the water and mountains, look no further than Gold Creek Pond at Snoqualmie Pass. Table of content: Gold Creek Pond, located in Kittitas County, features a 1.2-mile paved loop trail system that is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. It’s a great…

fireweed flower
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Edible Herbs and Wildflowers in Washington State

Washington has a unique abundance of wild foods that grow across the entire state. From the coast to the eastern plains, these rugged lands offer an unparalleled diversity of landscapes and ecosystems. Many of the forest foods of Washington are nutrient-dense, packed with vitamins and contain medicinal properties. Whether you’re looking for wild foods to…

Afterglow Vista
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Visiting Afterglow Vista on San Juan Island

As many visitors to this page can probably identify with, I sometimes get a restlessness if I’m cradled in the mundane for too long. When this happens, I often turn to Atlas Obscura for travel inspiration to seek out unique destinations and avoid the crowds. When I read about Afterglow Vista, I knew I had…