About.com

Get Back to Nature: Seattle/Tacoma Hiking Trails

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 09:10:19 +0000

While Seattle/Tacoma is a major metropolitan area, you can still find plenty of places to experience nature without leaving the city. Many expanses of beach and forest have been set aside as parks and nature preserves, offering trails and boardwalks perfect for a brisk hike or a refreshing stroll. Whether you're a visitor or a resident, you don't have to venture far to include the beauty of wild nature in your day. I've put together a list of the best places to enjoy an in-city hike in Seattle/Tacoma.

Wyoming's Top 10 Attractions

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:49:52 +0000

Rich in natural wonders and Old West history, the state of Wyoming draws travelers from around the world. Wyoming's mountain peaks, wild rivers, and wide open plains provide a wealth of scenic beauty and outdoor recreation. The history and culture of the Old West lives on in the state's annual festivals, museums, and historic sites. To inspire you to plan some vacation time in the Cowboy State, I've put together a list of my picks for the top 10 Wyoming attractions.

Follow the Lewis & Clark Trail through Idaho

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:25:59 +0000

The Lewis and Clark Expedition's travels through the modern-day state of Idaho were full of ups and downs - literally and figuratively. Their first trip, during the 1805 westward journey, began with an arduous trek across the Bitterroot Mountains. Once out of the mountains, the Corps of Discovery spent time with the Nez Perce, recovering from their ordeal and preparing for their final push to the Pacific Ocean. Fortunately, their 1806 return trip was less colorful. Following this route makes for a fascinating and scenic road trip. I've put together a list of the many Lewis and Clark sites you can visit in Idaho, getting a taste of what they experienced while enjoying your own adventure.

Portland Perks: Super Deals on Portland Getaways

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:30:44 +0000

Travel Portland, the Rose City's official tourism bureau, offers an ever-changing - but always great - series of seasonal package deals called "Portland Perks". The various Portland Perks packages give you the opportunity to save on restaurants, parking, attractions, and more. Currently, visitors who book and travel between now and March 31, 2012, can get $72 off a second night's stay. The 23 Portland-area hotels participating in this particular "perk" include the Governor Hotel, Hotel Fifty, Skamania Lodge, and The Resort at the Mountain. The package combines a two-night hotel stay with continental breakfast for two each morning, free parking, and the $72-off, second night saving. As icing on the cake, they provide a Portland Perks coupon book so you can save even more at local restaurants, attractions, shops, and activities.

Visit Astoria's Best Attractions & Activities

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:12:05 +0000

Astoria, Oregon, which celebrated its bicentennial in 2011, is quite the fun and interesting place to visit. It all starts with the location, where the great Columbia River empties into the Pacific Ocean. The combination of local rivers, lakes, ocean, wetlands, and forests creates an amazing and scenic outdoor playground. Astoria's colorful history is evident all around, from the charming Victorian homes to the many museums and historic places. There's great food - try the Blue Scorcher Bakery Cafe or the Bridgewater Bistro - and cordial lodging. Here are my recommendations for the best fun things to to in Astoria, Oregon.

Yellowstone Association Institute Offers New Programs for Summer 2012

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:14:46 +0000

Yellowstone Association Institute, Yellowstone National Park's official partner for education, offers a variety of learning programs for park visitors. These programs come in a variety of formats and include field seminars, lodging and learning, private tours, and backpacking classes. Topics cover everything from wildlife to photography to art to history. Yellowstone Association Institute has added 23 new courses to this year's schedule; new topics include making your own Yellowstone video, wilderness route-finding, and fly-fishing for families. New hiking courses include a backpacking expedition around the base of Electric Peak and another through the heart of Yellowstone's canyon country, as well as day-hikes off-trail on the northern range and through lake country. Other exciting new courses:

...

Read Full Post

Lewis and Clark in Montana - Part II

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:48:57 +0000

Lewis and Clark enthusiasts love visiting Montana, and Montana has a lot to offer Lewis and Clark enthusiasts. Throughout the state, visitors can find themselves standing where the Corps of Discovery once stood, or exploring the same landscape where the Corps once traveled. Here are some new articles in my growing series covering Lewis and Clark sites in the Northwest. You'll find out what the Lewis and Clark Expedition did in each region, and what sites you can visit today.

...

Read Full Post

Romantic Getaway Ideas for the Northwest

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:16:24 +0000

Cozy accommodations, places to walk and wander, and intimate dining options are among the main ingredients of a successful romantic getaway. Fortunately, the Northwest US is blessed with hotels, resorts, and destinations that fit that bill. Romantic getaways can take place any time of the year; New Year's and Valentine's Day are, of course, very important holidays on any couple's calendar. So it's time to do your research and plan ahead. I've put together a number of resources to help you choose your perfect romantic getaway destination in the Northwest.

Oregon's Timberline Lodge Celebrates 75th Anniversary in 2012

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:11:02 +0000

The Depression-era Works Progress Administration programs left the Northwest with a long list of structures and works that we continue to treasure today. Timberline Lodge, located near Oregon's Mt. Hood, is one that sits high on that list. The picturesque mountain lodge, built largely with local materials, was the handiwork of hundreds of Oregon artisans and craftspeople. Stonemasons built the huge lobby fireplace that remains a lodge focal point today. Blacksmiths crafted the iron chandeliers and fixtures seen throughout the interior. Woodworkers carved the wildlife figures seen on furnishings throughout the public areas. President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited and dedicated Timberline Lodge on September 28, 1937; it opened to the public the next year. 2012 will definitely be good year to visit this historic treasure.

...

Read Full Post

Lewis and Clark in Montana - Part I

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:58:18 +0000

I know I'm not the only one out there who gets goosebumps when I look out at the same views that Lewis and Clark experienced on their historic expedition, when I stand on the same hill that they once visited, or travel along the river they once traveled. Fortunately, many of the landmarks along their route through the Northwest remain unchanged, particularly in Montana. These sites, combined with the museums and interpretive centers that feature Lewis and Clark's adventures, are fun places to visit during your Northwest explorations. These articles will help you plan your own Lewis-and-Clark-themed trip:

...

Read Full Post