Quick Escape: Salt Spring Island

Between Vancouver Island and the mainland lies the Strait of Georgia, where a string of islands are strewn like emeralds. One of these gems is Salt Spring Island. Part of the beautiful and idyllic southern Gulf Islands, Salt Spring Island is placed perfectly within a sun-dappled rain shadow. British Columbia’s Gulf Islands are, geologically speaking, […]

CAMP & HIKE: Beverly Beach and Yaquina Head

I love this year-round central Oregon Coast trip because it combines a really nice campground experience (with yurts!) and plenty of good beach exploring. Devil’s Punchbowl is just to the north of the state park campground, and Yaquina Head Natural Area with Oregon’s tallest lighthouse is just to the south. And it’s right by the town […]

Quick Escape: Lake Crescent

People come to glacially-carved Lake Crescent to see its crystal clear waters ringed with fragrant conifers. They stay for an enchanting hike to a waterfall and a night at the historic lakeside lodge. Thousands of years ago, massive sheets of ice carved this long, deep lake through the Olympic mountains. And deep it is–the second deepest […]

Best of the Northwest: July

What’s on your local travel list this month? We dive right in with our monthly spotlight for the Pacific Northwest in July. Keep cool, and enjoy the music, y’all! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ […]

TRIP GUIDE: Walla Walla Wine Country

Ask a local wine lover which Northwest region is producing the most complex, interesting reds right now, and Walla Walla will probably top their list. And while not all great wine regions are necessarily great travel destinations, you’re in luck. Walla Walla is both. And it’s much closer than you think. We visited Walla Walla […]

Best of the Northwest: JUNE

Is it summer yet? We’re almost there. Here’s a little bucket list of cool stuff going on in the Pacific Northwest throughout the month of June. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Parks for […]

CAMP & HIKE: Moran State Park on Orcas Island

No reservations? No problem. Get our FREE GUIDE to Last-Minute Camping in the Pacific Northwest. Orcas Island is a beautiful patchwork of lush farmland, rolling hills and gorgeous coastline–a whole lot like its sister islands in the San Juan archipelago. One thing that undeniably sets it apart from the others, though, is Moran State Park–5,200 acres in […]

Ask TripFinder: Where to Go Wine Tasting in the Willamette Valley?

Dear TripFinder, Q: Hi, We are travelling to Portland Oregon in late June for a 4 day long weekend and are looking to spend some time wine tasting in the Willamette Valley. Any recommendations for restaurants, vineyards or B&B’s in the area? We will have a car. Thanks! -Kathleen from Calgary Dear Kathleen, Yes! A visit […]

Best of the Northwest: May

When do you know summer is almost here? For me, it’s when I have actual edible veggies to harvest from my garden. Right now, it’s arugula for every meal–in salads, on pizza, in pesto. I also look for the reopening of the North Cascades Highway, a harbinger of summer trips to the sunny Methow Valley […]

Gear Closet: Camping Gear Springtime Deals

The best thing about gear companies creating new models every single year? Clearance sales. Here are some screamin’ deals on camping gear right now.  Big Agnes Tent The one big piece of gear our family needs right now is a family-sized tent for car camping. The Big Agnes Mad House 4 Tent has long been one of […]