One of three national parks in the beautiful state of Washington, Mount Rainier National Park had long been high on my travel to-do list. This was my 4th visit to Washington, and having already explored Olympic National Park 2x before, I was eager to experience something new. Unfortunately, as is often the case when visiting …
Have you ever seen the movies The Descent or The Cave? That's precisely what came to mind as we made our way through the pitch-black, wet darkness of the Ape Cave lava tubes at Mount St. Helens. Surrounded by nothing except solidified lava, with rainwater dripping constantly from every angle, being inside the Ape Cave …
Continue reading The Ape Cave Lava Tubes of Mount St. Helen.
While walking through the streets of downtown Seattle, Washington, you may not realize that you’re actually treading above a hidden city. Beneath your feet lies a secret network of forgotten storefronts – the remnants of old Seattle – now closed off to the public except through private tours or special access. Allegedly haunted, the dark, …
As a state full of special places, Cape Flattery has to be one of the most special places in Washington. As the most northwestern point in the continental United States, it offers a unique and breathtaking experience, as only Alaska and Hawaii are located farther west. Situated at the tip of the Olympic Peninsula, Cape …
An iconic stop along Washington State’s coastline, The Tree of Life often makes the cut of any “must-see” list featured on various travel blogs and websites (like this one 🤪). While it’s technically just a large tree with massive, exposed roots clinging dramatically to the edge of a small sandy cliff at Kalaloch Beach, it’s …
Continue reading The Tree of Life – Resilience Rooted in Nature.
One of the best hikes I’ve experienced in Washington state, Staircase Rapids Loop is a must-do if you’re ever visiting Seattle or exploring the northwestern part of Washington. This lesser-known hiking gem is nestled in the southeastern section of Olympic National Park, only accessible by an old, bumpy gravel road. Although it requires some effort …
Continue reading Staircase Rapids Loop: A Washington Dream Hike.
First things first, it's pronounced "Sole Duck", not "Sole Duce" or "Sole Duke". 🦆 Now that that is out of the way, Sol Duc Falls is undoubtedly one of my all-time favorite hikes – ever – and a must-do for anyone visiting western Washington State! This trail and its stunning waterfall are incredibly beautiful, making …
Nestled in the northern foothills of the majestic Olympic Mountains in northwest Washington State lies the beautiful Lake Crescent. Part of the expansive Olympic National Park, this large lake reaches a maximum depth of 624 feet (190 m), ranking it as the second-deepest lake in Washington, surpassed only by Lake Chelan. Stretching 12 miles in …
Continue reading Lake Crescent: Washington State’s 2nd-Deepest Lake.
Located alongside the 73 miles of Washington State’s coastline are grand and unique rock formations known as Sea Stacks. The Sea Stacks were formed over millions of years by powerful ocean water crashing against the cliffs, eroding the rock. First caves were formed, then arches once the cave broke from the other side, and eventually, …
Continue reading The Sea Stacks of the Rugged Washington Coast.
A small town made world famous in the late aughts (2000 - 2009) to early 2010’s by the epic, fan-obsessive book series Twilight, Forks, Washington is worth a visit ✨if you are in the area✨. While not worth a special trek to northwestern Washington state (in my opinion), if you are visiting Olympic National Park, …