fiona's blog

CASCADES LOOP

Submitted by fiona on Fri, 2012-04-20 21:52

La Conner

Drive to Baker Lake

Baker Lake

Marblemount - "Buffalo Inn"

Newhalem - powerhouse

Newhalem - "Trail of Cedars"

Environmental Learning Center

Skagit Boat Tours

Diablo Lake Overlook

North Cascades Highway

Washington Pass Overlook

North Cascades Highway

Winthrop

Winthrop - "western town"

Lake Chelan

Lake Chelan - Campbell's Resort

Lake Chelan

Stehekin - ferry landing

Stehekin - "Rainbow Falls"

Leavenworth - "bavarian town"

Plan a 7 day roadtrip around the Cascades Loop

Visit the spectacular North Cascades in Washington State, often referred to as the “American Alps”.

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ORCAS ISLAND

Submitted by fiona on Tue, 2012-04-17 22:09

Orcas Village - "Orcas Hotel"

Deer Harbor Marina

Crow Valley Pottery

Orcas Island Pottery

Eastsound Village

Rosario Resort

Moran State Park - Mt Constitution

Moran State Park - Cascade Lake

Doe Bay

Plan a 2-3 day roadtrip around Orcas Island

Discover the best attractions along the "Orcas Island Scenic Highway". Visit charming Eastsound village, rustic pottery shops and art galleries, beautiful lakes at Moran State Park, and enjoy spectacular views from Mt Constitution. A minimum of 2-3 days is recommended when visiting Orcas Island.

What’s the best month to visit Orcas Island?

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SAN JUAN ISLAND

Submitted by fiona on Mon, 2012-04-16 20:34

Friday Harbor

San Juan Vineyards

San Juan Vineyards - church

San Juan Vineyards

Roche Harbor

Markets at Roche Harbor

Sculpture Park near Roche Harbor

English Camp

San Juan County Park

Lime Kiln Point State Park

Lime Kiln Point Lighthouse

Lime Kiln Point State Park

Kayaking near Lime Kiln Point State Park

American Camp

American Camp - Grandma's Cove

South Beach near American Camp

Cattle Point Lighthouse & Interpretive Area

Plan a 2-4 day trip to San Juan Island

Follow this 35-mile driving loop around San Juan Island to explore key attractions, including the charming towns of Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor, whale watching at Lime Kiln State Park, two lighthouses, and spectacular vistas of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains from American Camp.

What are the key highlights along the 35-mile San Juan Island loop?

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Kaanapali Beachwalk

Submitted by fiona on Sun, 2012-04-08 15:31

Sheraton Hotel - Kaanapali Beach

Tiki Bar

Whale tours returning

Hula Grill

Whalers Village Mall at night

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Maui Upcountry (Kula region)

Submitted by fiona on Sun, 2012-04-08 15:27

Grandma's Coffee House

Tedeschi Winery

Tedeschi Winery - tasting room

Tedeschi Winery - exhibits & history

Ulupalakua Ranch Store (near winery)

Ulupalakua Ranch Store

Alli Kula Lavender Farm

Kula Botanical Garden

Makawoa

Makawoa - garden cafe

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2012 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival!

Submitted by fiona on Sat, 2012-04-07 22:30

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Washington State’s annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a “must-see” event. Each April, the fields near the town of Mount Vernon are ablaze with color, carpeted in rows of brilliant yellow, red, orange and purple tulips.

Where is it located?

The Skagit Valley is a picturesque rural area just 1-hour north of Seattle, consisting of expansive farmland with the spectacular snowcapped Cascade Mountains and Mount Baker in the distance.

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"Top 4" shopping areas in Portland

Submitted by fiona on Mon, 2012-01-02 17:06

Brooklyn Industries, Nob Hill

Garnish, NE Alberta

Suite 6 Boutique, NE Alberta

Tumbleweed, NE Alberta

Abrahams & Duffy, NE Alberta

N Mississippi Ave

Meadow Chocolate & Wine, N Mississippi Ave

Jet, N Mississippi Ave

Por Que No, N MIssissippi Ave

Ace Hotel, downtown

Portland is a dynamic city, with fabulous boutique hotels, hip coffee shops, and a thriving urban scene. Yet it wasn’t until last weekend that I discovered just how great the shopping is!

CENTRAL OREGON

Submitted by fiona on Fri, 2011-01-21 07:09

Vista House - Columbia Gorge

Mt Hood

Hood River

Gorge White House Winery - Hood River

Marchesi Winery - Hood River

Devil's Lake - Cascades Lakes

Cascades Lakes

Near Cascades Lakes

Timberline Lodge - Mt Hood

Newberry Volcanic Monument

Crater Lake

Crater Lake Lodge

Ashland

Jacksonville

Oregon Caves

Multnomah Falls - Columbia Gorge

Paulina Falls - Newberry Volcanic Monument

Tumalo Falls - Bend

Take a 9 day roadtrip down Central Oregon. Visit volcanic areas, historic lodges, a Shakespearean town, caves, alpine lakes, craters, waterfalls, and wine regions.

Only recommended during Summer and early Fall (June to September). During the rest of the year some of this area is inaccessible.

Day 1: Portland to Hood River [62 miles]

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OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

Submitted by fiona on Wed, 2010-11-10 18:17

Sol Duc Falls

Second Beach, La Push

Ruby Beach

Kalaloch Beach

Lake Quinault

Lake Quinault Lodge

Plan a 3 to 4 day roadtrip of the Olympic National Park.

The Olympic National Park in Washington State is a great destination in both summer and winter, with 60-miles of wild pacific beaches, 266 glaciers, spectacular mountains, alpine lakes, meadows, and old growth rainforest. Highway 101 is the main route around the park.

DAY 1: Port Angeles

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MOUNT RAINIER

Submitted by fiona on Fri, 2010-10-22 13:55

Paradise

Trail at Paradise

Mt Rainier Gondola

Sunrise

Plan a 3-day roadtrip of Mt Rainier

Mount Rainier in Washington State offers incredible scenery, including glaciated slopes, old-growth forests and enchanting sub-alpine meadows. This 3-day loop takes you to the two most popular destinations; Paradise and Sunrise. Sunrise is only accessible during summer and early fall.

Day 1: Paradise

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