Explorer Sue • Your Guide to the Pacific Northwest - Part 2

Scenic Drives Near Seattle

Guides

Whether you’re looking for a two-person getaway, a family-friendly day trip or a more ambitious multi-day excursion, the Pacific Northwest has plenty of options to get away from the city and enjoy nature. With so many fantastic places within driving distance from Seattle, you are sure to find something your entire road crew will love. Drive to Seattle This makes it a great excuse to have a car throughout your entire journey, because there’s nothing better than a Washington State road trip. Whether you’re coming from the Portland area, from Vancouver to Seattle, or any other direction, you’re going to have some killer views along the way. Scenic Drives Washington – Snoqualmie Pass There are plenty of things to do in Snoqualmie Pass, including hiking, fishing, and visiting the iconic Twin Peaks location. If you’re a fan of the outdoors, the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is home to more than 100…

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Prineville Dark Sky Park courtesy of Shutterstock

Dark Sky Parks of the West

Guides

Enter the world of Night Parks and turn yourself over to Nyx, mythic mistress of night, and allow your imagination to be captivated by infinite possibilities. There, between the cabaret of constellations and the crenellations of mountain peaks, you can release your mind into a state of mental sublimation through the connect-the-dots sky of starry shibari. This is the otherworld of Dark Sky Parks, where you subsume your daytime struggles, and accept the darkness. As of January, 2022 the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has recently designated 37 new International Dark Sky Places, bringing the total to 196 worldwide. All Dark Sky Places are spectacular and beckon you into the ethereal specters of milky ways, shooting stars, and galaxies far, far away. The Pacific Northwest is luckily home to several nearby Night Sky Parks. Not surprisingly, all are found on the eastern side of the Cascade Range. The Massacre Rim Dark Sky Sanctuary,…

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The Best Women’s Pant for the Pacific Northwest – Kuhl Kultivatr Kargo Pant

Shopping

Scrambling up a steep trail laden with slippery rocks and muddy patches on a Pacific Northwest hike, fresh after a long drizzle, is no easy task. Yet it’s exhilarating and rewarding. A good challenging hike is made even better when you are wearing the right gear. Enter the Kuhl Kultivatr Kargo Pant. Catchy name, don’t you think? I was lucky to find these. Explorers like myself are always looking for great-looking pants that are as good on the trail as they are in the streets of Seattle. And the win for me? They look great with ankle hiking boots! They’re also the best hiking pants for hot weather. I went on a day-long hike with this pant, and it delivered all of the comfort and versatility you could hope for in a travel pant. Kuhl is a brand I have loved for years – they have a huge range…

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5 Best Oregon Road Trips

Guides

Find the best Oregon road trip ideas here, for all reasons, for all seasons. Come discover your own Oregon!

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Southern Oregon Coast: The Thrill of Fiction or Natural Facts?

Guides

This article was written by my good friend John Schoppert, who lives in Southern Oregon and intimately knows the Southern Oregon Coast. Dropping over the edge of 50 floors of a sand dune precipice onto a hair-raising incline is no laughing matter. Or is it? Outside of Florence, Oregon, on the southern Oregon coast, is the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area where dune buggies, sandboarders, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) pitch over cliffs of wind-blown peaks of sand dune mountains. Not only is this other-worldly terrain an ever-changing landscape due to wind, sand, and water, but it was also an inspiration for a seminal science fiction novel and later, an engulfing David Lynch film. The Southern Oregon Coast But first, let’s start safely at the bottom. A Southern Oregon coast road trip is as varied and exciting as the much-ballyhooed middle and northern Oregon coasts. Those coasts, while spectacularly dramatic, receive…

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10 Unique Places to Stay in Washington State

Informational

**This post was updated on March 4, 2024** When I book a trip, one of the first things I research is accommodation. A place I’m going to be excited about returning to when the adventures of the day are over. So where should you go to find the best places to stay in Washington State if you’re looking for something a little different than a standard hum-drum chain hotel? So glad you asked, because we’ve got you covered. Choosing the right accommodation can make or break a trip, so why not spice it up with something more exciting? I’ve been all over this great state and have hand-picked the best places to stay in Washington State. These are all places I’ve been or that are on my bucket list. Read on! **This post contains affiliate links. When you click on my links and book, I earn a small commission at…

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The resort backdrop

One Women’s Solo Journey into the Great Bear Rainforest

British Columbia, Canada

“See those white bits in this wolf scat? Those are from deer bones.” We all looked down at the offending poo and I was overcome with a strange mixture of fascination and repulsion. Our forest guide, Ellie, proceeded to tell us in intimate detail that wolves normally eat every single part of the deer, except for the skull and other bone and cartilage areas that are too thick for them to digest. And so it was I found myself on this epic solo journey into the Great Bear Rainforest of central coastal British Columbia, Canada. For those living in a dense wilderness where more grizzly bears than humans reside, everyday life can be a tricky prospect. In remote British Columbia, large swaths of forest remain untouched by human development, and the few tiny communities that do exist refuse to install traffic lights for one simple reason: it really irritates the…

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Best Things to Do in Union Gap, Washington

Guides

When you visit the Yakima Valley, just over a 2-hour drive east from Seattle, you would be remiss to pass by the charming little town of Union Gap, just south of the city of Yakima. It should be on everyone’s list of what to do in Yakima Valley, Washington State. Often times you’ll find the most amazing things in the most unassuming of locales. Forget hidden gem – Union Gap is a sparkling diamond in the rough. I mean, where else can you visit a local tamales joint that has won a James Beard Award? This area of the Pacific Northwest lies east of the Cascade Mountain Range, and so it sees an average of 300 days of sunshine a year. The rich soil made possible by the last ice age means it’s also an agricultural mecca. Turns out, this is fertile ground for growing grapes and hops. Yakima…

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Why You Need to Come to Yakima Valley

Food & Drink

Sometimes you just don’t know what treasures await you until they literally fall into your lap. That’s the beauty of travel. There destinations that will take your breath away, yet are not in any travel guidebooks. Places you may never have heard of as being on a bucket list, and so you don’t take the time to plan for. These may only be found through word-of-mouth, or by happenstance. Yakima Valley is one of these destinations. Tucked nicely in Central Washington’s fertile vineyard and hop region, Yakima tourism has grown by leaps and bounds over the last several years and developed into a playground. One for not only wine and beer lovers, but this amazing spot has become a haven for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, fly fishers, foodies, and so much more. It is here in this arid region that some of the best wine and beer in the world is…

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Solo Travel and “Scratching the Itch”

Personal Musings

As we age, a great many of us find that we have more freedom. That could mean many things… perhaps the kids are grown and out of the house. Or perhaps you have just retired, and while you have a few hobbies to keep you busy, you still have a ton a free time. Or maybe you’ve recently divorced (like me) and are single and fancy free once again. And dare I say…feeling frisky? I’ll come to this point a bit later. An even greater number of us find that we are just hitting our stride at this age. We are finally comfortable in our own skin. We’ve lived a lifetime (or three) and have lived to tell the tale. Those small lines around your mouth and eyes? Those come from wisdom. Don’t laugh…it’s true. Perhaps the travel bug has hit you dead on, but you’re wondering how you’re going…

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A Pretty Good Guide to Mount Rainier National Park

Guides

I recently went on a hiking trip to Mount Rainier. It was just….WOW. Simply put, Mount Rainier is a hiker’s paradise. And the park is HUGE, so there’s lots to explore. Choose from dozens of amazing hiking trails featuring all manner of stunning vistas and varied terrain, with hikes suitable from beginner’s to seasoned backpackers. Lovely forests surround the mountain, with subalpine meadows and a volcanic past. Come in the late Spring and immerse yourself in wildflowers in a rainbow of colors. While this post features the best hikes around the mountain, stay tuned until the end where I delve into Stuff You Need To Know about the park in general. The Basics: Mount Rainier is 14,411 feet above sea level. That’s about four thousand feet taller than Mount Hood in Oregon. About 10 thousand people attempt scale Rainer every year, and only half of them make it. Fun…

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4 Tips to Make Traveling Easy on Your Wallet

Guides

With the ongoing pandemic, the global tourism sector is still facing an uphill recovery. But fear not! There is a bright spot. In the US and Canada, tourist arrivals actually rose above 2020 levels in the first nine months of 2021. More people are also traveling domestically after a long period of limited mobility, and are not quite ready for international travel. You may also be someone eager to pursue “revenge travel” as a way of making up for lost time. But aside from safety considerations, what about the financial worries of traveling? If you’re planning to travel around the US or Canada soon, whether it’s the gorgeous Pacific Northwest or beyond, here are four budget tips to consider: Travel on points, miles, and other rewards Credit cards allow you to earn valuable points and miles that can fund your next vacation. Think of these rewards as currency to use for free…

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Kayakers on the Lake

6 Best Outdoor Vacations in the Pacific Northwest

Guides

Pacific Northwest vacations are the very definition of outdoor adventure. Here I go again, giving myself another impossible task. The outdoor adventures are never-ending in the PNW. And so I struggle with putting together this list of the best outdoor activities in Oregon in Washington, because amazing adventures are literally everywhere, covering every square mile. Exploring the diverse ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest is one of the best adventure vacations to be had on Earth. This is where your best nature vacation awaits. So whether you’re looking for a couple’s adventure vacation, a satisfying solo adventure getaway, or simply an outdoor weekend getaway, there so much to see and do here in the Pacific Northwest. For each of these outdoor destinations, I have included links to my other articles for more in-depth information on each. Be sure to check out what interests you and start planning your next adventure in…

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What to Do in Edmonds, Washington

Food & Drink

The small town of Edmonds is ripe for exploring, thanks to its prime location along Puget Sound. Just 20 miles north of Seattle, it’s a great little community, which makes for a fantastic day or weekend trip from Seattle and a welcome respite from the bustle of the Emerald City. Edmonds is surrounded by the natural wonders of the PNW, with forests to the east and amazing views of the Olympic Mountain range to the west. It boasts plenty of beachside attractions, as well as great hikes in the surrounding areas. It’s one of the best small towns near Seattle. Here are the best things to do in Edmonds, Washington. Explore the Downtown Area With quaint local shops and restaurants, downtown Edmonds is the best way to spend an afternoon. The shops are fun, with unusual gifts and goodies. Main Street and Fifth Avenue holds antique stores, jewelers, clothing boutiques,…

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Meet the Makers Who are Redefining Baker City, Oregon

Food & Drink

Few people who pass by Baker City as they speed along Interstate 84 in eastern Oregon know what a gem of a town they are missing. A former gold and copper rush area located on the historic Oregon Trail, what appears to be a simple collection of motels and gas stations just off the interstate, holds a unique culture and collection of attractions that reveal themselves when you peel back the layers. Revitalization of downtown Baker City has been brewing (beer pun very much intended) for years, and they’re only getting started. I have been here several times, but my recent trip to Baker City really opened my eyes to the amazing businesses that are thriving and the passionate people who are making it happen. Not only will you find families that have been here for many generations, but younger people are moving into the area to enjoy a slower…

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Meet the Makers: The Farm-to-Table Experience in Halfway, Oregon

Food & Drink

Come with me on my recent adventures to eastern Oregon! Here you will not only read about how awesome Baker County is, you will know where good food really comes from. You hear the term “farm-to-table” tossed around so much these days it has started to lose its meaning. A new generation of producers are revitalizing the northeastern Oregon. This isn’t gentrification, this is an authentic desire to make Baker County a true destination, while keeping its history firmly intact. One way they’re doing this is through food. My recent trip to Halfway and Richland, Oregon put the true farm-to-table experience into perspective. These are the unique stories of the amazing people who have dedicated their lives to providing their community and surrounding areas with healthy, wholesome (and delicious) organic food. Halfway, OR – The Ultimate Ranching Community When I stepped up to the unassuming house that is the headquarters…

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Get the Best Buns on the West Coast

Food & Drink

This article, written by yours truly, first appeared on B-C-ing-U.com, a wonderful British-run eclectic website where I am a regular contributor. Portland, Oregon is a foodie haven, where the gastronomic options run the gamut between the simple food cart to the finest Michelin star restaurant. And then there’s the neighborhood joint that one comes back to again and again. I will tell you what mine is. Widely considered as serving the best soup dumplings on the West Coast, I chose to celebrate my 50thbirthday at XLB. All of my foodie friends recommend it, so you know you’re in good hands here. And it’s affordable, to boot! For those culinary aficionados in the know, XLB stands for xiaolongbao in the Chinese language, which in English translates to “small basket buns.” These glorious little pockets of heaven take the form of paper-thin dough filled with meat and steaming broth. My Birthday meal.…

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Three Mountains, Some Waterfalls and a Girl

Guides

The winding road skirting central Oregon’s mountain range led me into air that was getting increasingly heavy. Haziness could be detected as far back as Black Butte. My arrival in the destination town of Sisters brought the heady aroma of wood fire; the kind that permeates the back of the throat and leaves an intriguing and not terribly pleasant aftertaste in your mouth. The wildfires of Oregon and California are increasing in number and intensity as each year passes. Thanks, global warming, but I’ll take my wildfires about every 10 years or so. Alas, mother nature has other ideas. My goal was to explore the Lava Caves south of Bend, but the current fires threw a monkey wrench into that idea when I discovered that while the caves were open, park officials closed off the back part of the caves so you could only tour about half of them. I…

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Meet your shuttle here and scan the barcode!

The Best Way to See the Columbia River Gorge

Guides

One of the best things to do in the Columbia River Gorge is to tour all of the waterfalls on the Oregon side. The popular ones are fairly close together and not far from the main roads running along the river. There is so much epic hiking, sightseeing, and outdoor activities along this route. It is one of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest. But with that comes big crowds and fighting for parking spaces, especially in summer. And on the weekends? You may as well plan for spending most of your time in the car as you wait for a parking space to open up. What if I told you there was a better way? A MUCH better way? Leave your car in one convenient parking area, hop on a bus and let a professional drive you up and down the Columbia River Gorge? Introducing the Sasquatch…

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Explore the Hidden Treasures of Puget Sound

Guides

Puget Sound is an amazing place. The biodiversity alone will set your imagination alight and keep you endlessly enthralled. Most visitors to Seattle and Olympic National Park have no idea that there are tiny pockets of nature to explore and wonderful little marine-side communities between these two major tourist areas. The entire area experiences a temperate year-round climate, and the best times of the year to visit are late spring through early fall. I will take you north beyond Elliot Bay in Seattle and the remote wooded wonderland of the rainforest to points in between. Come along and enjoy the ride… Kingston Located on the shores of Appletree Cove, this is the “Little City by the Sea” and one of the main ferry terminals along Puget Sound with service to Edmonds, just 25 miles north of Seattle. North Kitsap Heritage Park is a great place for a nature walk, just…

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