When you think of culinary hotspots in the greater Seattle area, Renton might not spring immediately to mind – but it should. This suburb best known for its history of airplane manufacturing has an exciting and diverse food scene that’s worth checking out. This list is by no means exhaustive, but here are my top…
“300 days of sunshine” is a promise worth traveling for — especially in the winter. So after spending much of the season in hibernation, my partner and I hit the road for a destination just three hours from the Seattle area: Lake Chelan. This massive, glacially-carved lake runs over 50 miles from the Cascade Mountains…
Bobae Coffee and Tea is a bubble tea shop to not only go for a treat, but to experience. It sits quietly between a beauty supply shop and a chocolate store in an unassuming strip mall in downtown Woodinville. But don’t let looks deceive you. What is Bubble Tea? First of all, what is bubble…
One thing unique to Washington and other ocean neighboring states is the abundance of food that doesn’t come processed or from a factory. Washington, in particular, is special in that it receives food from the Pacific Ocean, through the foothills, flatlands and up into the Cascade Mountain Range and other mountains. Washington offers an abundance…
Any first-time visitor to the Pacific Northwest might be surprised to see just how many islands, inlets and waterways there are in Washington state. In fact, the northwest corner of the Evergreen State features an impressive archipelago of more than 400 islands — known as the San Juan Islands — visited by tourists in search…
As a 90’s kid, Warner Bros’ “Free Willy” was my introduction to Orcas. I imagined myself as Jesse, fist high in the air screaming “Yeah!” as Willy leapt into the Pacific and swam to freedom. As cheesy as the film may seem now, fictional Willy tells a not-so-fictional story. Many of these animals spend their…
For those who read the recent article about escaping COVID screen time and getting outdoors, you saw a list of six or so activities to do in Washington’s great outdoors. You may have done them alone to get some individual, “you” time. You may have gotten those kids of yours off the screen and out…
Mount Rainier so dominates Northwest geography that worthy nearby locales are easily overlooked. But when summer throngs clog the Queen of the Cascades, solitude and serenity can be found just a few miles south of the great mountain along the Cispus Area Loop and vicinity. Located off U.S. Highway 12 near Randle in east Lewis…
We all need a vacation. Nay, we all deserve a vacation at this point. I’m not even going to explain beyond that, because I can already see you nodding your head in agreement. Here is my (not) extensive list of hideaway stays that I am day dreaming of for this summer. 1. The Heron Cabin…
If you’re seeking fresh air and nature’s beauty and you don’t want to go too far – Squires Lake is an ideal hike to explore! Looking to breathe in fresh air and enjoy nature’s beauty with only an hour or two to spare? Check out Squires Lake! Nestled near the south end of the Chuckanut…
This past year was more than enjoyable for many people. Most were fearful of the new COVID-19 illness, while others escaped into the glorious outdoors. What did you do? What about your children? Us adults, well, we have experienced more life. We do better at understanding what might be going on and rolling with the…
If you are a Washington resident, or even a newcomer to the state, you know that driving over the Snoqualmie Pass can be treacherous at times. Even during sunny seasons, driving from one side of the state to the other can be exhausting. You need somewhere to stop where you don’t have to drive fully…
