Trek for Treasure Hiking Challenge

Trek for Treasure is a hiking challenge hosted by local non-profit United Fitness Center in Sedro-Wooley. This challenge is 12-weeks in length. The challenge includes six hikes, with a bonus hike for those all complete all six. You have two weeks to complete each hike. At the end of each hike you will find a…

Roslyn’s Historic Cemetery

Roslyn was founded in 1886 as a coal mining town. The Vice President of the Northern Pacific Coal Company gave the town its name choosing to name it after his fiancé, Roslyn. Coal mining became a lucrative business in Roslyn in the following years. It brought immigrants from far and wide. The town boasted 24…

Rainy Day Portland

We recently spent a weekend in Portland. As typical for this time of year it was raining. So, I went to plan B. We played a round of mini golf at Portland’s Glowing Green Mini Golf Course followed by delicious food truck cuisine and Voodoo Donuts. The Glowing Greens in Portland had just opened two…

Witch’s Castle

Forest Park covers over 5,200 acres and considered one of the largest city parks in the United States. The park is an easy two or three mile drive from downtown Portland. It’s well worth a stop. Portland’s heavy rains feed beautiful emerald green mosses and ferns that create a fairytale setting. I imagine there are…

Port of Everett

In the late 1800s what is now the Port of Everett was a buzz, literally with Shingle mills. These days the Port is a buzz with development. Much of the Port is getting a face lift. Visit the Port of Everett  website to learn more about this expansive makeover. Let’s start at the South Pier…

Picnic Point and Ship Graveyard

This is a small park located in North Lynnwood on the Puget Sound. Much like Howarth Park you need to use a pedestrian bridge to cross the train tracks. This little park has some fantastic views of the water, Whidbey Island, and the Olympic Mountains. Follow the walkway down to the beach to find picnic…

Cicely, Alaska A.K.A. Roslyn

I’m not a big TV watcher, but there are a couple of shows I really loved. One of these is Northern Exposure. It ran from 1990 to 1995. Northern Exposure was about a small town in Cicely, Alaska. The series was actually filmed in Roslyn, Washington. This small town has also been used as the…

Evergreen Arboretum & Legion Park

The Evergreen Arboretum is a gorgeous little secret.  It’s a beautiful three and half acre garden tucked away in Legion Park in Everett. The garden was established in 1963 and is known as Snohomish County’s “Treasure.” Enjoy the garden’s art collection as you take in your surroundings. The Arboretum has a wide variety of indigenous…

Little Mountain Park

All of Skagit Valley’s beauty is laid out below when you reach the summit of Little Mountain. The farmlands are like quilt squares and the Skagit River flows like a ribbon binding it all together. In late April and early March the valley floor is ablaze with bright color from the tulip blooms. If you’re…

Entiat City Park

The Entiat City Park has a lot to offer. Most of the facilities are newer having been completed a few years ago. The park offers a boat launch, lake side nature trail for pedestrians or bicyclists, both tent camping and RV sites, playground, covered picnic sites, and a nice sandy swimming beach. Entiat is a…

Tumwater Dam

The Tumwater Dam is located between Leavenworth and Stevens pass, near milepost 95. It was built in 1909 by The Great Northern Railway Company. It was one of the biggest dams of its time this side of Niagara Falls. You might be wondering what the heck would the railroad need electricity out in the middle…

Rocky Reach Dam

Construction began in 1956 on the Rocky Reach Dam. This dam now has eleven generators and contributes over 115,000 volts to our power grid. It’s an interesting place to stop.  You may think you aren’t allowed because the facility is surrounded by chain link fencing and you have to check in at the gate, but…

Visit Chelan in the off Season

The town of Chelan sits on the banks of beautiful Lake Chelan. The first post office was established in 1890 and much of the little town still holds that historic charm. It’s always been a resort town due to it’s intense beauty. The first resort was built in 1892, but lumber and mining were also economic…

Howarth Park

This beach is hidden off the main road near Mukilteo.  There are two parts to this park an upper park with play equipment, tennis courts, old growth stumps, and spectacular views. Drive a little further and you will find first a lookout point with some limited parking, but keep following Olympic Blvd. At the bottom…

Franklin Ghost Town

The thing I loved most about this hike is that it has a so many different branches and off shoots.  There is so much to see here.  Franklin was a sprawling mining town with a population that fluctuated greatly. The community began in the 1890s when the railroad arrived and several coal mines were established….

Paddle Board Yoga

With spring on its way, I decided to try a paddle board yoga class to get more acquainted with paddle boarding. This adventure really works your core. I’ve taken the class twice. Both times I felt really unstable at first, but it gets better as you get used to it. Once we got our “sea legs”…

Mukilteo Beach – Campfires and Special Memories

Mukilteo Beach is a picturesque place to visit. The lighthouse is still in operation for navigation purposes and provides a scenic photo opportunity with the ferry passing in the background.  The lighthouse and grounds also act as a museum and gift shop open April through September. Put into service In 1906 this facility is well…

Historical Snoqualmie Train Depot

The first trains chugged their way into Snoqualmie in 1889. This caused the already lucrative logging industry to boom. The trains created a quick and efficient way to move logs from outlying areas to mills and on to market. This park is a collection of retired rail cars. Each train car has been carefully researched…

Snoqualmie Falls – So Much More to See!

You may have stopped at Snoqualmie Falls to view its magnificent 270 feet drop, but if you haven’t visited the lower falls park, you haven’t really seen the falls. The views from the lower park boardwalk are phenomenal.  It’s easy to miss this wonder because while the upper falls are right off the main highway,…

Is it a “Hobbit Hole” or a Mine at the Base of Explorer Falls?

Explorer Falls, formerly known as Wheeler Falls, is located near Lake Roesiger in Snohomish. The trail has gotten more difficult since the last time I was there. It has washed out at a little more than a mile from the trailhead. You now need to climb down the embankment, cross a stream, and climb back…

Arlington’s Art Walk

The Centennial Trail was built on the old Burlington-Northern Railroad track. It runs from Stanwood to Snohomish. That’s 29 miles of scenic bicycling and walking paved trail. It’s a county treasure to be sure. My family loves to go bicycling anytime of year on the trail.  The Centennial trail begins at the Nakashima Barn in…

Mount Vernon Getaway

We were on our way to Bellingham when traffic began to back-up so we slipped off the highway and decided to explore the town of Mount Vernon.  This is not your parents Mount Vernon.  This town has seen a serious revitalization in the last several years.  There is a scenic boardwalk that follows the river….

Bonhoeffer Botanical Gardens & Pilchuck Living History Farm

The Bonhoeffer Botanical Gardens & Pilchuck Living History Farm are located right off the highway on exit 215 in the Stanwood area. It makes for a great rest stop break. The site cover 20 acres. It’s a great place to stretch your legs and explore. The gardens have .75 miles of ADA accessible trails that…

Japanese Gulch

The Japanese Gulch is located in Mukilteo, Washington and is a series of heavily wooded parks totaling 98 acres. The park has miles of trails for walking, running, or biking.  If you bring your dog, make sure you keep it on a leash. While visiting we spotted a coyote on the trail. The Mukilteo Community…

Cherry Creek Falls Trail

Cherry Falls in Duvall, Washington can be difficult to find. We had to make two attempts at this hike. This 25 foot waterfall is about 3.25 miles from the trailhead. The first couple miles the trail is clearly marked.  The last little bit is not quite so well marked.  The best advice I can give is…

Tubing at Snoqualmie

This was a heck a lot of fun! The 500 foot tubing course has several tracks laid side by side. They are open December to March, Friday through Sunday, but check website for rates, dates, and hours of operation. The tube is provided with admission. They also, have night sledding that looks like fun. It…

Western Heritage Center

See and experience how the pioneers lived. This is a hands on museum featuring antique farming, mining, logging, railroad, and household equipment once used by area pioneers. Throw a switch or push a button depending on the display and see the equipment come to life. Perfect outing for small children. So many buttons and switches to…

Skagit County Museum & Barn Tour

Farming is near and dear to our family.  We come from generations of farmers and our Dad still has a herd of beautiful black angus.  So, it only seemed natural to take him to the Skagit County Museum located in La Connor, Washington and for a barn tour. The Skagit County Museum has a collection…

The Sorrowful Tale of the Nakashima Barn

The Nakashima barn is located in Arlington at the end of the Centennial Trail or the beginning depending on the way you look at it.  It is a great place to go for a walk or take a bike ride.  The Centennial Trail is nearly 30 miles long and growing every year. You can bike…

Ballard Farmers Market

Enjoy fresh baked bread, organic vegetables, herbal hand soap, hand knitted crafts, street tacos, artisan yogurt, and so much more at the Ballard Farmers Market. The market is held year round, every Sunday 10am to 3pm. Even in the winter months the market boasts nearly 150 vendor booths.  If you’re looking for entertainment the market…

Let’s Play Games!

The Let’s Play Cafe is an arcade and game room located in Monroe, WA. This establishment features a wide array of arcade and pinball machines.  You can buy tokens at their front desk.  If it’s role play or board gaming that interests you, they have several tables set up for that as well. The retail…

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Lime Bikes are Now Available in Bothell!

Lime bikes have arrived in Bothell. All you need is your bicycle helmet and smart phone. If you are like me and don’t have a bike rack this is perfect. No more forcing your bike into the hatchback of your car. Lime bikes are easy and inexpensive to rent. What is Lime Bike? Where to…

Space Traveling Cats

For a rainy day adventure visit Meowtropolitan and the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Company. Start your day at Meowtropolitan, a cat cafe. You can either view the kitties at play through the viewing window or for a small fee play with the cats while you enjoy a cup of joe. These are rescue cats and…