As you gaze into your 2016 crystal travel ball, imagine a getaway to one of North America’s friendliest, most fun-loving destinations. Head to the southernmost site of the U.S. – the Florida Keys & Key West – for your great winter (or anytime) escape. Enjoy blue, sunny skies, soft, sub-tropical breezes and emerald waters as you kick […]
Travel Experiences
Ziplining 101 with Ziptrek Ecotours
Ziplining has never been high on my bucket list of travel adventures. While I’m not overly scared of heights, I’m respectful of the distance between heaven and earth with a strong preference for staying grounded unless winging through the air from one exotic destination to another from the comfort of a Boeing jet. Think cushioned seats, seatbelts and […]
Chase Away the Clouds at Chihuly Garden and Glass
Need a color infusion to brighten your cloudy days? In Seattle, look no further than Chihuly Garden and Glass for a striking counterbalance to Fifty Shades of Grey in the Pacific Northwest. Showcasing the works of local glass artist, Dale Chihuly, the long-term exhibit at Seattle Center offers a vibrant tonic of sumptuous colors, innovation and inspiration. Wandering through the stunning collection reminds me of […]
NFL Super Bowl XLIX: Go Hawks!
While the East Coast readied for bombogenesis (the ultimate snow bomb) this week, we Seattleites have enjoyed unusually balmy weather with clear, sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s. Rain is moving in again, but overall, not a bad backdrop for our weeklong celebration honoring the Seattle Seahawks, top contenders for the NFL Super Bowl XLIX championship next Sunday. If you’re […]
2014: Oh, the Places I’ve Been!
How to capture an entire year of phenomenal travel experiences in one post? Impossible. Instead, here’s a photo montage of a few favorites, reminding me what a lucky gal I am . . . February and August . . . I fell in love with Quebec . . . March . . . Stopped by San Francisco, the […]
Have a Happy 4th of July!
On the 4th of July, whether you travel solo, with a partner or family, take time to celebrate Independence Day! Here are 5 festive American 4th of July traditions you won’t want to miss: 1) Watch a parade. Look for neighborhood parades for an up-close and personal view of the event. Wear your red, white […]
Tightwads on the Loose – A Spirited Sailing Adventure
Tightwads on the Loose, Wendy Hinman’s engaging, fast-paced memoir, shares an important lesson: “The weather trumps all plans.” Breaking Away To quell their restless spirits, Hinman and her husband Garth embark on a seven year Pacific odyssey aboard their 31-foot sailboat, Velella, named for tiny jellyfish-like creatures propelled by prevailing winds. The author traces their […]
Lavender Festival at Pelindaba Farm
Butterfly Lavender Plant Lavender lovers rejoice! Only one more month until the annual Pelindaba Lavender Festival on beautiful San Juan Island. Pelindaba Farm “Pelindaba” comes from the Zulu word meaning “a place of great gatherings.” With a nod to his South African roots, owner/founder Stephen Robins also chose a name that captures his vision of the […]
The Dalles: Family-Friendly Vacation Destination
Here’s why The Dalles, a mere 84 miles east of Portland, Oregon, gets my vote for an ideal vacation destination: 1) Spectacular Scenery Want to explore a visually stunning byway? Meander along the magnificent Columbia River as it winds its way from Portland to The Dalles, Oregon to see what I mean. Go on a cruise or […]
Sun-Tripping in The Dalles, Oregon
View from Dry Hollow Vineyards For Seattleites seeking a sunny getaway, The Dalles, Oregon offers a welcome solution. For starters, compare Seattle’s average yearly precipitation of 38 inches with The Dalles’ average of 14.6 inches. That’s about 150 days of rain in Seattle versus 93 or so in central Oregon each year, thanks to the […]