Mount Ellinor, Washington

You can stat this adventure at one of two trailheads. I suggest using the lower of the two. The start of the trail ascends through a forest of old growth pines with periodic views of Mt Washington. Eventually, at a fork in the trail, you will see a sign marking the start of the winter route. You ...

Located about 20 minutes outside of Shelton, Washington on US Forest Service Road NF-2340.  To get there, head North on Highway 101 and exit onto W Skokomish Valley Rd. about 12 miles (or 20 minutes) after passing Shelton.   W Skokomish Valley Road will take you through a beautiful area of farml...

To find the falls, head north up Hwy. 101 past Brinnon, Washington and hang a left at Dosewallips Rd. Keep an eye on the mile markers. Right after mile three and crossing a small bridge, there's a parking area on the left side enough for about 6 cars.  The hike to Rocky Brook Falls is a short on...

The beauty of many of the north coast trails in the Olympic Peninsula is that your car does a lot of the heavy lifting for you.  This is certainly true of the Grand Valley Trail, which begins more than a vertical mile above the Strait of Juan de Fuca at the end of the Obstruction Point Road.  Six...

Tucked away in the trees along Olympic Hot Springs Road, the Elwha River slows to a crawl and forms a perfect natural swimming hole. It is a great place to cool off, picnic, and enjoy the beautiful forest surrounding the Elwha River.   The river's water is crystal clear and a vivid blue-green co...

Point Defiance Park is the largest urban park in Pierce County and it provides a variety of amenities. Located at the very northwest tip of Tacoma, the park provides residents with a much needed retreat from the bustle of everyday life. Point Defiance Park is the place to go if you need a quick d...

There is parking for about a mile along Alki Ave. SW, however it quickly fills up quickly so get there early. The beach is about a mile long and since there is little parking there is a good chance you will need to walk a fair distance.  There are many things to do at this beach. There are kayak,...

Golden Gardens Park is a beautiful, sandy gem that’s perfect for spending a sunny summer day lounging on the beach, exploring the shore, stand up paddling, or even playing beach volleyball. This park also features some of my favorite views in Seattle. As day turns to night, enjoy a beautiful suns...

Located at the top of Queen Anne Hill, Kerry Park is a favorite destination for photography. On any given day you'll find tourists and locals relaxing in the park and enjoying the beautiful view.The park is located in the Queen Anne neighborhood so there is free parking along the streets. If yo...

Park at a the north side of the Dungeness Spit Recreation Area, in the Refuge parking lot. There is a kiosk at the Refuge where you can pay an entrance fee ($3) and check the Tide Table. Only attempt the hike at low tide or the sand spit becomes narrow and you have to climb over logs.Follow the R...

There are 2 ways to get to Blake Island: private boat or via the Argosy Cruises tour boat (or if you're ambitious, I guess you can swim there!). If traveling by private boat, there is a marina with limited dock space as well as buoy moorings around the island for a moorage fee. Blake Island is ...

Although weekend sails are available, this is one of the best ways to get a mid-week fresh air fix in Seattle.Start with a 1.5 hour sunset sail reservation with Emerald City Charters ( approx. $33 per adult). The day of your sail, pack a bag with blankets, drinks and picnic-style dinner. Catch th...

Ediz Hook or as locals call it, "the Spit" is a 3 mile long sand spit that extends out from Port Angeles along the Juan De Fuca. The views of the surrounding mountains and Vancouver Island, the marine life, beaches, and picnic areas make this a prime spot for a memorable run.  We parked at the lo...

My family and I were in Seattle for a wedding and I believe my mom across this gem being advertised in either a newspaper or a magazine. We had a great time and it was an affordable way to get onto the water and something everyone of all ages could do. I love checking out houseboats, being on the...

Everyone knows Gasworks Park for its awesome views of downtown Seattle. A great spot during anytime of the year, the park is even beautiful at night, when you can see reflections of the city lights in Lake Union. Make sure you bring a tripod to capture some awesome long exposure images!During the...

Enjoy a wonderful view of the Seattle skyline from Dr. Jose Rizal park. Parking is easy and accessible, and the park has lots of benches for sitting and taking in the view. Walk around the park for different views of the city or take in the surrounding neighborhood, you'll most likely catch a lot...