Wine Tasting: Vino Vocab
Do you know what fruit-forward means? How about tannin, or terroir? Students, gather ’round. You don’t have to be ultra-knowledgeable about the world of wine to enjoy visiting wine regions and tasting rooms. In fact, like we told you in Wine Tasting 101, the point of visiting wineries is to learn. Still, you might feel […]
Nature Notes: Name That Owl
Who, Who, Who are you? Even looked up to see two big brown eyes silently returning your gaze? Owls are more common than you might think, even in urban parks of the Pacific Northwest. This curious owl in the photo is a Barred Owl (notice the vertical bars of brown on its chest). These owls […]
CAMP: Scenic Beach State Park
Never heard of this Washington State Park and campground? Some of the best-kept secrets are that way for a reason, and in the case of Scenic Beach State Park, it’s simply far enough off the beaten path to fly under the radar. Located on the upper arm of Hood Canal’s eastern shore near Seabeck, Scenic Beach State Park’s 52 spacious […]
Wine Tasting 101: Tips for First-Timers
So, you’re a tasting room virgin. It’s okay, we’ve all been there. Maybe you’re in the camp that thinks wine-tasting is a silly pastime for urbanites who can say “nice residual sugar” with a straight face. Or perhaps you’re just deathly afraid to walk into one of those granite-clad tasting rooms with no freakin’ clue what to do […]
GO: Spencer Island Refuge in Everett
Looking for an easy day trip from Seattle that’ll get you up close and personal with wildlife? Go north, to Spencer Island Park in Everett. Whatever the weather, this short hike combines nature with fun. The Snohomish River near Everett splits here and braids there, creating a tangled estuary. Over time, the brackish waters have […]
Tulip Festivals Jump Start Spring in the Northwest
There’s something about rows upon rows of brightly-colored tulips that screams: GOODBYE, WINTER! HELLO, SPRING! The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival runs April 1-30, 2014. Will you be going? Because we have a nice scenic drive itinerary for the Skagit flats that might help you plan your trip, with places to eat and things to do in the Skagit […]
Amp Your Camp
Camping season is officially here! In just a few short weeks, we’ll be sleeping under the stars atop a plateau in the Eastern Washington desert. How about you? Have you made your campground reservations yet? If so, it seems the only task left is to fill in the gaps on your camping checklist. Here at Northwest TripFinder, […]
Northwest Weekend
Go clamming! Ocean Shores hosts its annual Razor Clam Festival this weekend. Are you a clamming novice? Check out our guide to digging for razor clams, including some seriously good recipes. Find blooming cherry blossoms. Cherry trees throughout the Northwest come into bloom in March, and provide a stunning backdrop for a sunny […]
5 Bodacious Breweries in Bend
Holy hops! I’d figured we’d be kickin’ back with a pint or two on our recent trip to Bend, Oregon. After all, any Northwest beer fan can tell you that Bend is the bomb when it comes to brewing, the birthplace of legends such as Black Butte Porter and Mirror Pond Pale Ale (both courtesy […]
Almost Alone at Lake Wenatchee
This past weekend, we drove across the crest to see some Cascadian beauty. Just a few miles off Highway 2 east of Stevens Pass, you get out of your car and while standing in the parking lot, you see this. Of course in the summertime, this scene looks very different. Think bathing suits and pedal […]
