Gear Closet: Up to 50% at REI
The holidays are so over, as are last year’s models of many outdoor gear items. If you’re like me and don’t mind last year’s leftovers when they come 50% off, head on over to REI.com and check out their January clearance sale. Here are some highlights from the sale. Thanks for reading Northwest TripFinder. See […]
Quick Escape: See the Skagit Bald Eagles
Have you been up to see the eagles? One of the very first day trips I made after moving to Seattle was up to the Skagit River in January to see the eagles. I’d relocated from Wisconsin, a state where small flocks of bald eagles commonly gathered along fish-bearing rivers in winter. So off I […]
Where in the Northwest to Sip some Holiday Cheer
A sip of homemade eggnog, a shake of sleigh bells and even the soggiest Seattle day transforms into a winter wonderland. The essential word of course is homemade, as no amount of good bourbon can rescue the syrupy milk you buy in a carton at the store! I’ve whipped up homemade eggnog using Martha Stewart’s […]
Gifts for Intrepid Pacific Northwesterners
The holidays are upon us. Whether you give lots of gifts this time of year or spread your generosity across the seasons, you might find yourself stumped over choosing the perfect present for the local traveler in your life. Here’s a little guide to some of our favorite things for local travelers this year. Whether your […]
Quick Escape: Bend, Oregon
Bend is a sophisticated, outdoorsy town tucked in the eastern Cascade foothills, surrounding by some of the finest hiking trails, ski runs and fishing streams the Northwest has to offer. With more than 250 days of sun per year, you can visit Bend year-round, but autumn is particularly nice. Hike among fall foliage through late October, […]
Cozy Camping: Reboot Your Campsite for Fall and Winter
Get into the fall camping mood and glamp up your autumn campsite with these seasonal gear picks.
Campfires Banned in Some Washington State Parks
UPDATE: August 16, 2014 Good news on the Washington State Parks campfire ban, from DNR: “With recent rain and current weather models predicting more moderate conditions in western Washington, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is adjusting the current statewide burn ban. Recreational campfires will be permitted in established fire rings in official […]
CAMP & HIKE: Trillium Lake, Mount Hood
On the south side of Mt. Hood at 3,600 feet elevation is Trillium Lake, ringed with fragrant conifers, flower-filled boggy meadows, and a flat, family-friendly, barrier-free loop trail. If you’re looking for a late summer or early autumn overnight camping trip near Portland, this should be near the top of your list. Where to Hike […]
Quick Escape: Seaside on the Oregon Coast
If you’re looking for an old school beach resort town, look no further than Seaside, Oregon. This is the real deal, where you can munch on saltwater taffy as you stroll the beach boardwalk hand in hand, watching the sunset behind Tillamook head. Seaside’s status as the premiere Oregon Coast beach resort was sealed over a century ago […]
Q: Where to Go on the Oregon Coast without Crowds?
Dear TripFinder, Q: We feel dizzy looking at all the great little towns and parks along the Oregon Coast, but we’ve only got two nights to make a sidetrip there this September (we’ll be in Portland for a wedding). Can you recommend a small seaside town on the Oregon Coast where we can experience local beach culture without […]
