Explorer Sue • Your Guide to the Pacific Northwest - Part 7

Twin Peaks Locations in Washington State

Guides

David Lynch’s television masterpiece, Twin Peaks, enjoyed cult success in the 1990’s. Recently it has been resurrected (unlike Laura Palmer) in the form of several new shows available for streaming thru Showtime via Amazon. Twin Peaks definitely has its hardcore fans. And with good reason! The storyline is engaging to the hilt, the cinematography is grand, the directing, genius. Much of the show was filmed on location in the backwoods of Washington State. It was a natural and familiar place, as Mr. Lynch spent some of his childhood in Spokane. While some of the set was recreated on a Hollywood soundstage, many of the locations and structures shown in the series are still in existence in Washington. It should come as no surprise that fans of the show may want to make their pilgrimage to Washington at some point to visit some of these locations. Here they are! Ronette’s Bridge…

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St. Johns Historic Neighborhood in Portland

Food & Drink

There is a section of Portland where the Willamette River and the mighty Columbia River meet. At this confluence resides the historic neighborhood of St. Johns. A section of Portland that used to be its own separate town. To this day St. Johns still retains its independent charm. Portland is a collection of neighborhoods (link to your article!) with their own distinctive personalities, and St. Johns is no different. St. Johns was its own incorporated city from 1902 to 1915, when residents from both cities voted to approve its annexation into Portland. Because it lies at the confluence of two rivers, it’s no surprise that there are lots of parks and water-based activities in the area. Cathedral Park You’ve no doubt seen images of the jaw-dropping gothic St. Johns bridge as it spans over the northern Willamette River. Underneath the bridge on the east side is a lovely park where…

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Best Campgrounds in Washington State That are Free

Guides

Looking for free camping in Washington State? You’ve hit the jackpot! Camping is one of the premier outdoor experiences you can have. It seems that when planning a trip that includes the best tent camping in Washington State, there are various things you should consider. The time of year, the location, and yes even the climate! You have your pick of ocean view, dense old-growth forest, wide-open valleys and then some. Luckily, there is plenty opportunity for dispersed camping in Washington State. Many people fly into Portland to start their Washington State camping adventure, as it’s just past the southern border of the state. Many people look into RV rentals in the northwest. They will rent an RV in Oregon, then cross the border to begin their adventure. I highly recommend RV traveling. It’s a great way to find an inexpensive RV for no-hassle traveling during your camping adventure.…

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10 Unusual Things That Make Portland Great

Must Go

I’m going to forego the usual boring introduction (that no one reads anyway) and just get right to it. These are ten things (out of thousands) that make Portland great. The Naked Bike Ride For one evening every June, Portlanders love to let their freak flag fly and parade down the city streets going full commando and then some! If you are offended by nudity, then…well, what the heck are you doing in Portland?!? FYI, nudity is optional during the ride; plenty of folks take the opportunity to dress how they like and can still take part. A seemingly unlimited amount of tasty food carts Portland has more food carts per capita than anywhere else in the country and maybe the world? Some of them are actually run by chefs. Whatever your culinary pleasure, you can surely find a food cart to suit your cravings. The Unipiper This…

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Things to Do in Astoria Oregon

Guides

Astoria is Oregon’s northernmost coastal city. Perched at the top of her many hills, you’ll be offered a sweeping view of the very long Astoria-Megler bridge into Washington state, and the Columbia River spilling out to the Pacific Ocean. In this charming town, there are many things to do, despite her sleepy first impression. Beaches are not Astoria’s forte. You may find one or two tiny areas of sand with which to sit with a glass of wine and view the sunset. But for the most part, Astoria is a fishing town, through and through. There are several fish canneries along the waterfront. Pier 39 at the east end of the Riverwalk has Bumble Bee fish cannery, complete with a small museum run by the Hanthorn Cannery Foundation. I had heard tales of Finnish bathhouses here. Since I am a big fan of a steamy relaxing soak, I was keen…

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The Ultimate Vancouver Island Road Trip – Part 3

British Columbia, Canada

Can you think of a place that is so untouched by human hands, and yet so traversed that it’s difficult to imagine why it remains so beautiful? Vancouver Island is one of those places. This nature-lovers dream of an Island is large enough to accommodate the best of several worlds. Among them, charming village and city life, fantastical rainforests and northern remote wilderness. See Part 1 and Part 2 of this epic road trip of mine. My solo Vancouver Island journey takes me from the quaint village of Port Alberni at the center of the island, north up the Inter-Island highway to the village of Courtenay. It’s a great place to stop for coffee at Common Ground Café, or perhaps for lunch at The Hen and Hog Café. Dinner, you say? Then head to The Prime Chophouse and Wine Bar. After you’ve fueled your body with food and/or caffeine, its…

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The Cannabis Industry in Oregon

Informational

“That’ll be $69 an ounce, sir.” The dispensary clerk told my husband, who wanted to try a small sampling of Green Dragon, a strain of cannabis that was advertised to relax you without the side effects of getting the munchies. Walking into the place, we were immediately presented with a full menu of different strains of marijuana. Each offering different ways of enhancing our reducing various human conditions. Such as it has been here in Oregon since 2015 when the voters of Oregon overwhelmingly voted to legalize a substance that is safer to use than alcohol. Who’d a thunk? I myself don’t really partake marijuana all that much. Sure, its great for unwinding, relaxing and for soothing a myriad of ailments. I’m all for its responsible use. But for me, at least right now, it doesn’t do much for me. And that’s perfectly fine. Maybe one day my time will…

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The Ultimate Vancouver Island Road Trip – Part 2

British Columbia, Canada

Continuing my exploration of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, I was excited to finally break through the stronghold of Victoria. With its Empress Hotel, Butchart Gardens and so many places to eat and shop, most people do not venture far from the city to explore Vancouver Island itself. A national treasure. I awoke in my tiny Airbnb cabin to the sounds of gentle waves lapping at the shore. Here in Ladysmith, there is plenty of birdwatching to be had, but I didn’t hear any this particular morning. As I rose to begin my adventures for the day, the cloudy skies brought a steady drizzle that lasted through most of the morning. No bother, I was off to explore the lovely town of Nanaimo, just a few miles north of Ladysmith, on the western side of Vancouver Island. As I rumbled into town on that Monday morning, all was quiet, as…

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Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

Guides

The Pacific Crest Trail. It’s on every serious hiker’s to-do list. Mine included. I’m getting to a point in my life where, if I don’t do it within the next five years or so, well…hey, grannies can be thru-hikers, can’t they? Yes, they can. But I’m not that old. To walk the entire length from the Mexican Border near Campo, CA all the way up through Washington State and 12km into Manning Park, BC, Canada – now that’s a feat! The trail snakes through some of the nation’s most spectacular mountain and wilderness scenery, following the Sierra Nevada (mmm, did someone say beer?) and Cascade Mountain ranges. The PCT passes through 25 national forests and seven national parks. To hike the entire trail at once takes many months of serious planning and about 5 months of hiking. For a thru-hiker, the usual daily grind of working a job and…

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The Ultimate Vancouver Island Road Trip – Part 1

British Columbia, Canada

This is the first in a series of stories about my exploration of Vancouver Island, Canada. Makes for a great road trip in British Columbia. Read about parts two and three here. It is just one of many Pacific Northwest road trips you can take. Vancouver Island is big. Well, big for an island, I suppose. In fact, it is the largest Pacific Island east of New Zealand. To put things in perspective, it takes roughly six hours by car to travel from Victoria at the southern end, up to the northern end, Port Hardy, where the main road stops. But it doesn’t end there. Venture further north past Port Hardy, and you are likely a hearty backpacker or have an experienced guide. This far north you are into an immense wilderness of wolf and bear country. The main road north out of Victoria is Highway 1. Follow this road…

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Where To Go Off the Beaten Path Oregon

Informational

Think you know Oregon? Think again… Oregon is not the biggest state in the Union, not by far. But venture east of the Cascades into High Desert country and it can certainly seem that way. Gigantic open spaces where the skies open up and the infinite wild west claims you as one of their own. Going off the beaten path in Oregon holds a promise that will fulfill and excite you. There are millions of acres of untouched wilderness. The Mount Hood region alone has so many hidden pockets of dense forest, sparkling lakes, and remote mountains where the wildlife go months or even years without seeing a single human in their midst. The Oregon coastline is heavily traveled but look hard enough and you will discover many opportunities for isolation along the edge of the majestic Pacific Ocean. Granted, there are a ton of things to do around the…

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How to NOT Get Lost on the Hiking Trail

British Columbia, Canada

I was so excited to go on a solo trip to Vancouver Island. Having never been further than the city of Victoria, my explorer hat was in full force as I picked up a rental car for the 5-day journey. After sitting on my toosh all day driving from Portland up to Port Angeles, taking the ferry to Victoria, then another hour to my Airbnb, I was desperate to get my hiking on the next day! Early the next morning, a quick look at Google Maps told me that East Sooke Provincial Park just west of Victoria was a good choice. After a cursory look at the map at the trailhead, I decided to take the most direct route to the shoreline, not knowing how long that would take. The trails were clearly marked, so that was good. I followed the trail to another trail that would take me to…

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Where are the Best Doughnuts in Portland?

Food & Drink

It’s not unusual to walk down a street in Portland and find a line out the door to an eating establishment. There are so many incredible restaurants in the city; Portland has become one of the premier places for brunch, fine dining, food carts…. …and doughnuts. So where are the best doughnuts in Portland? You no doubt have heard of Portland’s iconic VooDoo Doughnuts or even Blue Star Doughnuts. Just about every single travel blog about ‘where to eat in Portland’ will have one or the other on the list. So imagine my surprise when I drove down NE Fremont street near my neighborhood, and found yet another line out the door, to a place called Pip’s Original Doughnuts. But wait! I’ve never heard of this place! And in reading the hundreds of travel blogs that I do, many of them about Portland, no one has mentioned Pip’s. Astounding.…

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Unusual Places to Visit in Washington State

Informational

**This article was updated in June 2022.** I have always been a rebel. If the crowd is going one way, I’m likely to go the opposite direction. That is unless I’m looking for a good place to eat. I will rarely go into a café if the place is empty. When it comes to food, you can bet that if you queue up to that long line, you won’t come away disappointed. But I digress… When exploring new destinations, I prefer to go where the crowds are thin to none. You get the full experience and enjoyment of the places without having to “share” it when a lot of people. Call me selfish. To that end, I enjoy visiting unique and unusual places. Unique experiences in Washington State, to be exact. What are some weird things to do in Seattle? Or unique things to do in Washington State, for that…

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Pancakes and Cigarettes: Epic Diners in Portland

Food & Drink

Okay, I’ll admit it. That headline was a cheesy attention grabber. I actually despise cigarettes. And I’m fairly certain you can’t smoke in most diners anymore. But I had to write a post about diners because I live for breakfast. The Best Breakfasts in Portland, Oregon There’s just something about the smell of pancakes, coupled with just a hint of the aroma of cigarettes that brings me fondly back to childhood vacations. Diners embody the heart of real America and are a treasure to behold from coast to coast. Portland has its fair share of long-running diners. Where many of the booths are tattered and worn, the Formica tables have that charming chip off the corner, and the wait staff greets you as if you’ve been coming for years. A constant in an ever-changing world Diners are where you come to immerse yourself in the heart and soul of the…

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Why I Didn’t Like My Trip to Vancouver, B.C.

British Columbia, Canada

Everybody is supposed to like Vancouver, right? Well, this Vancouver travel guide will give you a different perspective. Vancouver is the site of so many beloved film and television shows. MacGyver. X-Files. The Rise of the Planet Apes. I, Robot. And that blasted Fifty Shades flick, to name a very few. You could say that it is Canada’s “Hollywood.” But that is definitely where the similarity ends. Vancouver is nothing like Los Angeles. Sure, it’s a cosmopolitan city, but to me, it is more sophisticated and compact, where L.A. is a sprawling mishmash of everything under the sun. This Vancouver is also beautiful. I had high hopes for my first visit to Vancouver, B.C. Maybe too high. We only spent two days there, and it rained nearly the entire time. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t surprised by the lack of sunshine. This is the Pacific Northwest, after all. It’s…

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Pacific Rim National Park

10 Facts about Pacific Northwest National Parks

British Columbia, Canada

The Pacific Northwest has some pretty epic national parks. It’s safe to say that as far as outdoor scenery goes, these parks are among the best Planet Earth has to offer. The great nations of the United States and Canada have set aside these lands for everyone to enjoy, and I am privileged and humbled to have them in my backyard. As part of your pre-national-park-trip planning, be sure you know the difference between a National Park and a State Park. National Parks are actually federal land, and as such, are governed by federal law. There are many more state parks (or provincial parks in Canada) than there are national parks. There are seven national parks in British Columbia, three in Washington and only one in Oregon. The National Parks in the Pacific Northwest are all unique. For entrance into national parks in Oregon, Washington state, and British Columbia, you…

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Personal Travel Blogs that Inspire Me

Beyond the PNW

When you need travel inspiration, who or what do you turn to? Facebook? Pinterest? Instagram? Good ol’ Google? A favorite travel blogger? Or something else? It’s common knowledge that travel bloggers these days are a dime a dozen. It seems everyone has built their own website to chronicle their yearly (or monthly) vacations, and that’s fine. But you what REAL information about a destination. So how do you wade through the muck and get to the REALLY good ones? Who are those bloggers who go beyond the catchy headline and over-the-top personality to give you real information you crave? Well, me for one! But I am not writing this article to toot my own horn. There are plenty others like me who have made it their goal in life to bring you the best information out there in terms of where to go and how to spend your precious vacation time.…

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Cape Perpetua and Heceta Head Lighthouse

Guides

The Oregon coast has such a wide variety of attractions that it really takes time to explore it fully. Just recently I learned that it takes about eight long hours to drive from Astoria in the north, all the way down to Brookings near the northern California border. And that is only if you don’t make ANY stops! You really have to take in the magnificent Oregon coast in smaller snippets to appreciate it fully. Most people do this on the weekend, where they can plan a more relaxing itinerary, and that’s what we do. The best time of year to experience the coast is in the spring or late fall, the shoulder seasons. So what makes a relaxing weekend on the Oregon coast turned into an outdoor adventure? Spouting horns and elusive sinkholes, that’s what! You can find these at Cape Perpetua Scenic Area on the Oregon coast,…

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Discovering the Villages of Vancouver Island

British Columbia, Canada

Ever wonder what was down that lonely dirt road on your last road trip to a popular destination? Did you want to go down that road to see where it led, but couldn’t because you were in a time crunch, or your travel companion said ‘no’? While planning an upcoming trip to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, I started honing in on some of the backcountry places on the island, particularly up north. While studying my trusty Vancouver Island map, I noticed that northern Vancouver Island is pretty sparse, and that intrigued me. Cities in Vancouver Island Sure, there are the (most visited) towns of Victoria and Tofino in the southern half of the island. And then there is one main road going up the length of the east side. But other than that? Google Maps makes Vancouver Island look pretty bare. So I had to ask myself, is northern Vancouver Island…

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