Category: Travel

Remembering a Smoky Weekend at Mt. Shuksan and Bellingham

Mt. Shuksan, in the North Cascades, is one of the most photogenic mountains in the U.S and I’d always wanted to see it. The most accessible scenic views are at Picture Lake, an easy drive from Bellingham, but most of the year the trail… Continue Reading “Remembering a Smoky Weekend at Mt. Shuksan and Bellingham”

Twice Upon a Time at Turtle Bay – on Oahu’s North Shore

It remains to be seen whether there will be a third. We first visited in 2020, just before Covid took over the world. It happened because I took advantage of a Cyber sale the day after Thanksgiving with rooms for half-price. It was everything… Continue Reading “Twice Upon a Time at Turtle Bay – on Oahu’s North Shore”

Flowers in Yellow and Ochre and Saffron, at Hovander Park

Last week we got away for a much needed respite to Bellingham and beyond, and enjoyed a day at Hovander Park in Ferndale. I’d always wanted to see it, and it so happened there was a Senior Fair in the park, so we went.… Continue Reading “Flowers in Yellow and Ochre and Saffron, at Hovander Park”

You Know it’s Summer in Seattle – Blue Skies and Blue Angels

Today is gray and cloudy but there were blue skies on Thursday and Friday, when I took a walk on the Cedar River Trail where it flows north into Lake Washington. In addition to glimpses of city skylines on either side of Mercer Island… Continue Reading “You Know it’s Summer in Seattle – Blue Skies and Blue Angels”

Reflections on Washington State

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge got me reflecting on my beautiful home state of Washington. So, I went to my archives for some of my favorite places on the Olympic Peninsula. To Hood Canal and Pleasant Harbor, a place chalked full of childhood memories.… Continue Reading “Reflections on Washington State”

Going to the Zoo – Woodland Park and Pt. Defiance

I’ve always enjoyed going to the zoo and went many times to Woodland Park when I was growing up in Seattle; back then it was free and animals were segregated in drab concrete enclosures. Today it’s beautifully landscaped, and animals live in areas designed… Continue Reading “Going to the Zoo – Woodland Park and Pt. Defiance”

Killdeer Display – Sorry to Disturb You

Last week I was walking down a deserted road next to the WAAAM for a closer look at Mt. Hood when I saw a Killdeer by the side of the road put on quite a display. I’m not exactly sure who the show was… Continue Reading “Killdeer Display – Sorry to Disturb You”

Antique Cars and Planes at WAAAM – and Two Mountains!

Last weekend we stopped by the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum, in the most unlikely of places, the small town of Hood River on the scenic Columbia River Gorge. It has to compete with one of the most scenic places in the USA,… Continue Reading “Antique Cars and Planes at WAAAM – and Two Mountains!”

Still Thundering at Snoqualmie Falls

Yesterday, with temperatures in the nineties, on the last day of our heat wave, we headed to the hills for a look at Snoqualmie Falls. I was surprised at the amount of water still flowing, as it thundered while dropping 268 feet below. Once… Continue Reading “Still Thundering at Snoqualmie Falls”

Graceful Swallows in the Great Outdoors

I’ve always loved birds but became an avid birdwatcher after I picked up photography years ago. (To me, the zoom on a good camera, is even better than binoculars.) I see a great variety of birds in my own backyard: hummingbirds, chickadees, wrens, towhees,… Continue Reading “Graceful Swallows in the Great Outdoors”