Outdoor adventures in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, with some occasional reflective storytelling.
Ahh, the Galapagos Islands. Made famous by Charles Darwin and the birthplace of his theories on evolution, they hold a special appeal for nature & animal lovers, and those who want to venture somewhere a bit more remote. They’re known for their incredible marine life, bird species, and overall biodiversity. But the one major disadvantage?…
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At 13 weeks pregnant, I was told I would be laid off in 4 weeks. That was a day before this picture was taken. I had just arrived in the Bay Area, coincidentally, for an in-person work retreat. I’d decided to come a few days early so I could spend the weekend with my best…
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So, you’re planning a trip to the crown jewel of the US National Park system! I’m excited for you, because Glacier National Park really lives up to the hype. I’ve been to a good number of beautiful places, but Glacier might be the most spectacular place I’ve ever been. Looking for something specific? Jump to…
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We decided to do the longest hike of our trip on our final day in Glacier: Iceberg Lake! Located in the Many Glacier area of the park, it’s a stunner. You won’t want to miss it if you’re in the area. Hiked: Early JulyBest time to hike: May-OctoberAccessibility: The road to the Many Glacier area…
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Red Rock Falls is a good bang-for-your-buck hike. It’s minimal effort and lots of reward. Between lakes, waterfalls, meadows, and mountain views, it’s got pretty much everything you’d want in a great hike. Hiked: Early JulyBest time to hike: May-OctoberAccessibility: The road to the Many Glacier area was under construction during our visit and involved…
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Grinnell Lake is stunning and worth a visit. It’s less popular than the Grinnell Glacier Trail — many people want to get up close and personal with a glacier. But I think Grinnell Lake made for a fantastic little hike and one I’m glad we did. Grinnell Lake Hike Hiked: Early JulyBest time to hike:…
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The Highline Trail in Glacier National Park is legendary. On any list of the best hikes in the park, you can bet that the Highline Trail will be at or near the top. The trail is along the Continental Divide and provides near constant incredible, panoramic views of the surrounding area. Hiked: Early JulyBest time…
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Avalanche Lake: the essential hike near the West Glacier entrance of Glacier National Park, and the first trail we completed during our trip to the park. Hiking Avalanche Lake, Glacier National Park Hiked: Early JulyBest time to hike: June-OctoberAccessibility: Entirely paved highway and roadLength & elevation: 5.9 miles round trip, 757 feet elevation gainDifficulty: EasyCrowds:…
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I had the special opportunity to spend a long weekend camping on Orcas Island with two of my closest friends. We chose to camp in Moran State Park and had a marvelous experience. I’ll share our itinerary, campground basics, and some must-know tips below. 3 Days Camping on Orcas Island Itinerary Day one Depart Seattle…
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Sol Duc Falls is a perfect family-friendly excursion when you’re camping in the Sol Duc Campground. We had the pleasure of hiking this trail with my sister, her husband, and their two small children and everyone enjoyed the outing. Hiked: late MayBest time to hike: May to OctoberDistance from Seattle: 3 hours, 40 minutesAccessibility: Entirely…
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Elizabeth Seeks 