Rialto Beach and Hole-in-the-Wall Hike in Olympic National Park
Rialto Beach is one of the spectacular beaches in Olympic National Park and one of the best for tidepooling! On this hike the beach is the trail, the whole 4 miles! This is a flat hike two miles to Hole-in-the-Wall and two miles back. Most trails in Olympic National...
How to Visit Denali National Park
Are you planning to visit Denali on your trip to Alaska but getting overwhelmed figuring out how everything works? Should you book through a tour group or cruise line? How can I visit on my own? Do I really need to ride a bus to get into the park?...
Summer Day Trip to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park
Hurricane Ridge is one of the most beautiful places in Olympic National Park and an incredible place for a mellow hike with incredible views! This is a very doable day trip from Seattle, although if you have more time check out my three day Olympic National Park road trip...
25+ Interesting Things to Do in Anchorage Alaska
Anchorage makes a fantastic base camp if you’re exploring Alaska on your own. It has the least expensive flights from the rest of the US and around the world, the most rental cars and lodging and the most grocery stores with the best prices. If you’re heading to Alaska,...
Margaret’s Way Trail: Best Forest Hike near Seattle
The Margaret’s Way Trail is a gorgeous out and back trail close to Seattle that is my favorite forest hike close to town! This one even comes with a view at the very end of Mt Rainier! At 7 miles round trip and 1500 feet of elevation gain, it’s...
How to Find Less Crowded Hikes near Seattle
As hiking has become more popular in the Pacific Northwest and the population has grown quickly, many hikers have noticed and been frustrated by big crowds at popular trailheads. If you’re like me, crowding, traffic and parking are daily realities in city life and you want to get away...
The 15 Best Washington Beaches
Washington Beaches are nearly as diverse as the diverse landscapes of the state overall. Many people (correctly!) associate Washington with rainy gray weather, but those can make for great beach days, Washington style! If you’re looking for a strip of sand to stretch out your beach towel and read,...
Wilderness Peak Loop Trail – Forest Workout Close to Town
The Wilderness Peak Loop trail is a perfect half day hike if you’re looking for something close to Seattle or Bellevue where you’ll have some challenge with no parking pass required! At just under 4 miles and 1200 feet of elevation gain, this hike is definitely steep in places....
21 Unique Things to do in Fairbanks in Summer
Fairbanks is a unique community that is quite different from other places that visitors generally go in Alaska. It is in Alaska’s interior, giving it a very different climate and weather than many other parts of Alaska. Far from the coast, interior Alaska is dominated by it’s rivers, spruce...
Master Camping Checklist for Alaska and the Pacific Northwest
Camping is a fun and adventurous getaway but sometimes it can feel like so much WORK. This post is about how to have a camping checklist and keep your gear organized so that it’s much simpler to get out the door. I’ve spent at least several hundred nights camping...