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Your Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia Travel Expert

Hi, I’m Susan, the writer behind Explorer Sue.

I’m a scientist-turned-travel-writer and Pacific Northwest travel expert helping readers plan smarter, more memorable trips through Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest most of my life, and I created Explorer Sue to share the kind of practical, firsthand advice that helps people skip the guesswork and get straight to the good stuff.

My background in science shaped how I travel and how I write. I pay attention to details, ask better questions, and dig deeper than the usual “top 10 things to do” list. That means you’ll find more than generic travel inspiration here. You’ll get useful itineraries, honest recommendations, hidden gems, and real-world tips based on experience.

Explorer Sue focuses on the places I know best: moody coastlines, mountain towns, ferry rides, road trips, hikes, city escapes, and under-the-radar stops across the Pacific Northwest. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway from Seattle, an Oregon Coast road trip, or a deeper dive into Washington or British Columbia, my goal is to help you travel like someone who knows the region.

If you want polished tourist-board fluff, that’s not really my thing.

If you want a local-informed guide who knows how to build an itinerary, spot what’s actually worth your time, and help you avoid common travel mistakes, you’re in the right place.

Over the years, Explorer Sue has grown from a simple travel blog into a trusted Pacific Northwest travel resource for readers who want honest, practical, and inspiring trip-planning help.

My passion is helping people experience this region in a way that feels personal, memorable, and doable — not overwhelming. The Pacific Northwest is full of moody coastlines, waterfall trails, mountain towns, ferry rides, food carts, island escapes, and tucked-away places that do not always show up on the first page of a generic travel search. I love helping travelers sort through all the options and figure out what is actually worth their time.

Whether someone is planning their first Oregon Coast road trip, a weekend in Seattle, a family vacation to Olympic National Park, or a full Pacific Northwest itinerary, I want Explorer Sue to feel like a helpful friend who has already done the research, made the wrong turns, found the great coffee, and figured out which stops are worth building a trip around.

As Explorer Sue has grown, I’ve built a library of detailed travel guides focused on Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. My work has helped thousands of readers plan road trips, weekend getaways, hiking adventures, city breaks, and once-in-a-lifetime Pacific Northwest vacations. What started as my own passion project has become a place where travelers can find real-world advice, thoughtful itineraries, and practical recommendations based on experience — not just recycled travel tips.

I’m also proud of the business I’ve built around this website. Explorer Sue has become more than a blog; it is a travel brand that includes destination guides, road trip itineraries, digital travel resources, custom trip planning, and helpful tools for people who want to explore the Pacific Northwest with more confidence.

Building this website has taught me so much — not only about travel, but about storytelling, SEO, online business, and what people truly need when they are planning a trip. I’ve spent years learning how to create helpful, search-friendly content that answers real traveler questions. I’ve researched destinations, built detailed guides, improved older content, created travel products, and continued refining Explorer Sue so it can serve readers better.

But at the heart of it all, my mission is simple: I want to help you plan a Pacific Northwest trip that feels exciting instead of stressful.

You do not need to know every hidden trail, ferry schedule, charming coastal town, or scenic detour before you arrive. That is what I’m here for. My goal is to help you find the places that fit your travel style — whether you want a slow coastal road trip, a cozy weekend getaway, a hiking-focused adventure, a family-friendly itinerary, or a trip filled with good food, dramatic scenery, and a few unexpected gems along the way.

The Pacific Northwest has shaped so much of my life, and Explorer Sue is my way of sharing the best of it with you. I hope this site helps you dream bigger, plan smarter, and discover places that stay with you long after the trip is over.