Photo: Beautiful Lake Chelan. Washington’s 440-mile Cascade Loop Scenic Highway begins and ends along Puget Sound. It travels by marinas, museums, Snohomish River Falley, Stevens Pass Greenway, the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Columbia River and Whidbey Island. You should allow at least five days to complete the loop, which starts with the urban port city […]
Outdoor Activities
Washington’s premier drive: Chinook Scenic Byway
Photo caption: Picturesque Lake Tipsoo. The Chinook Scenic Byway in Washington is recognized as the premier driving tour in Washington State. The Chinook Scenic Byway travels through the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Mount Rainier National Park. Major highlights 1. Skookum Falls and Snoquera Falls – Take the Skookum Flats trail off Huckleberry Creek Road. […]
Safely Manage Insect Pests in Your Gardens
Photo caption: Lightweight horticulture oil can be applied to garden plants during the growing season to manage insects like these leafhoppers. Photo credit: photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com by Melinda Myers You plant and tend your garden hoping to enjoy a bountiful harvest and beautiful blooms. Despite proper planning and planting, insects can move in and […]
Some Washington state parks open for outdoor recreation
Select Washington State Parks and public lands reopened May 5 for dispersed outdoor recreation. Visitors and Washington State residents continue to be encouraged to enjoy nature and outdoor recreation close to home while the “stay-home” order is still in effect through May 31. The following is a summary of what’s open vs. what’s temporarily closed. […]
Outdoor Activities That Will Keep You Busy While Social Distancing
Although you may agree with the reasons for quarantine and social distancing, that doesn’t make it easy to live with the new restrictions. Many people are just shutting themselves inside and waiting for the storm to pass. You can’t fault these individuals for being cautious, but staying inside all day can quickly result in cabin […]
COVID-19 closures in Oregon
Photo caption: A waterfall trickles down at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon. All state parks are closed until at least May 8. Oregon Governor Kate Brown has issued the following directives to slow the spread of COVID-19: All non-essential social and recreational gatherings of individuals are prohibited immediately, regardless of size, if a distance […]
NW TRAVEL ADVENTURES & BEYOND: Spiritual Sedona
Photo Caption: A horse statue and other artistic pieces adorn downtown Sedona. Photos and Story by Greg Johnson, travel writer You slowly get into the “Zen” spirit as you drive the curvy road down Oak Creek Canyon to the touristy town of Sedona. Mountain bikers, hikers, artists, tourists and spiritual healers throng to Sedona for […]
Protect Your Landscape from Hungry Critters
Photo caption: Deer can wreak havoc on landscapes and research has proven that odor-based repellents are more effective than other repellents at keeping deer and other critters from eating your plants. Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Melinda Myers, LLC by Melinda Myers While you’re busy filling your landscape with beautiful flowers and scrumptious vegetables, the […]
Protect Your Skin When Gardening
Photo caption: Wear sunscreen, a hat and gardening gloves with ultraviolet protection to stay safe from ultraviolet rays that can cause skin cancer. Photo credit: photo courtesy of FoxGlovesInc.com. By Melinda Myers May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month and a busy time for gardening and other outdoor activities. Gardening provides many benefits but like any […]
Find your quiet retreat at Lava Lake
Lava Lake is a tranquil body of water surrounded by Mount Bachelor and the Three Sisters mountains in Central Oregon. The lake is usually offers excellent trout fishing and calmer afternoon winds on its west side for kayakers, paddle boarders and canoeists. There is also a small store, campgrounds and Little Lava Lake nearby. The […]