Winter and spring adventures around the northwest

Besides getting a new day job, taking (and teaching) writing classes, walking Snuffy the spirited senior pug, and planning a wedding that is happening in only 86 DAYS FROM NOW, I have been bopping about the northwest on a series of mini-adventures and writing about them. Here are a few highlights.

Badger Mt trail in Richland

Tri-Cities, Washington
I was a Tri Cities virgin until a couple weeks ago and now I know all about the glories of this desert area with a river running through it. Hiking, biking, kayaking - it's all there. Plus sun. Oh, the sun.

Scooting about Seattle (not)
Despite my brave smile, I was too scared to ride this sporty scooter out of the parking lot! However I did write an article about renting scooters from Scoot  About Scooters and how much fun that can be. Article to be out in the summer issue of Harbors Magazine .

On the Catherine Creek trail

Columbia River Gorge
Whoa! This area is beautiful. Like seriously beautiful. We did some amazing hiking and biking here. Plus we got one of the best photos of us ever taken (that's the Columbia River behind us). Article to be out in July in Outdoors NW Magazine.

iFLY 
 For the sake of journalism, I donned a red jumpsuit and goggles and flew in a wind tunnel at iFLY Seattle.  I didn't even take any Xanax! (thereby making up for my wimpiness on the scooter). The article will be out this summer in Harbors Magazine.


Tokeland
I had never heard of Tokeland before I got assigned this story. But I had a grand time staying in the (supposedly haunted) Tokeland Hotel and exploring the many peaceful beaches nearby. Even if I did have a nasty cold at the time.

Wenatchee and Chelan
We dubbed this trip to Wenatchee and then Chelan the Cholesterol Tour for all the globules of fat we consumed. But boy was it all delicious! Especially the apple butter milkshake at the Cashmere Cider Mill. Mmm. We also skied the lovely (and nearly empty) trails at the Echo Ridge Nordic area in Chelan and saw some beautiful parks along the Columbia.

Skiing near Paradise Meadows

Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier is one of my favorite places. The view at left speaks for itself. Staying at the comfy, quiet National Park Inn is a great way to explore "The Mountain."

Eugene, Oregon
On this fab trip we biked the newly designated Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway for an article about Oregon's designated scenic bikeways. Luckily we got a perfect autumn day for our ride rather than a downpour.