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Written by Administrator
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Camping Gems - Washington State
Mount St. Helens
At 8:32 Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted. Shaken by an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, the north face of the mountain collapsed in a massive rock debris avalanche. Nearly 230 square miles of forest was blown down or buried. At the same time a mushroom-shaped column of ash rose thousands of feet skyward and drifted downwind. Today, visitors can hike and climb in this wilderness once again, learning about volcano research and earthquake prediction.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Set in the rugged Central Cascade mountain, this 394,000-acre wilderness offers almost 700 alpine likes that are perfect hiking and fishing destinations. More than 47 trails run through this area, including the Pacific Crest Trail. Take in the outstanding views of Mount Baker, the Snoqualmie National Forest, and the valleys beyond.
Olympic Hot Springs
Within the Olympic National Park, you'll find hidden soaking pools surrounded by lush forests. Take a day hike along Appleton Pass, Boulder Lake, or Sol Duc hot springs and let them soothing waters melt your worries away.
Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park
Drenched in over 12 feet of rain a year, the Olympic's west side valleys flourish with North America's best remaining examples of temperate rain forest. Giant western hemlocks, Douglas-firs and Sitka spruce trees dominate the landscape while ferns and moss cloak the trees and forest floor. In these valleys, even the air seems green.
Port Townsend
This charming, eclectic artist's community has a lively waterfront, restored old buildings and shops on Water Street, and plenty of scenic views. Tour the Victorian homes, the modern restaurants, or walk on the sandy beaches at Fort Worden. Self-guided walking tours are a great way to get around.
Nisqually Reach Nature Center, Olympia
Learn about the importance of nature through museum exhibits, tours, and classes. Set on the shores of Puget Sounds at the mouth of the McAllister Creek, this is a great place to watch for shorebirds and other wildlife. Be sure to take part in one of their terrific educational programs. (4949 D Milluhr Dr NE, 360-459-0387)
Spokane
If your favorite outdoor activity involves a rod and reel, then you'll be thrilled to know that there are 76 lakes located within 50 miles of Spokane. The area also offers phenomenal mountain biking, white water rafting, golfing, rock climbing, hiking, and downhill skiing.
Grays Harbour Shorebird Festival
See tens of thousands of shorebirds as they stop off to rest and feed during their northward migration. The sand and mud flat estuaries of Grays Harbor become a birding haven during the late April festival. Some of these birds travel all the way from Argentina, making a 15,000 mile round trip! (Near Hoquiam)
Big Creek Falls, Taylor River Trail
Head to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trail and you'll find a wilderness that seems like it was kept just for you. These gorgeous area is filled with solitude, massive forests, and beautiful waterfalls. Leashed dogs are permitted on this trail. (Near North Bend)
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Fields upon fields of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths greet you at the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Mount Vernon. This celebration of the bulb takes place between April 1 and April 30, with the exact dates depending on Mother Nature. You can tour the display gardens, take a bike tour, hear gardening demonstrations, and much more.
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Last Updated on Monday, 15 September 2008 20:43 |
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Written by Administrator
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Camping Gems - Places to Go in Washington State
Olympic National Park
With everything from snow-capped mountains to temperate rainforests to rugged ocean shorelines, this park is a hiking wonderland. You can wander the 600 miles of walking trails, fish on Lake Crescent for rainbow trout, cutthroat, and kokanee salmon, walk to Marymere Falls, or visit North America's only temperate rain forest. Don't miss the Hall of Mosses Trail and the 57 miles of Pacific coast beaches.
San Juan Islands
These picturesque islands are best explored from the water. Grab your kayak paddle or hop aboard a whale-watching cruise -- the San Juans are a terrific place to watch for pods of Orca whales, harbor seals, whales, porpoises, and river otters. Set in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, the islands receive half the precipitation of Seattle.
Mount Rainier
This dramatic mountain towers over the region at 14,000 feet. Take the magnificent Wonderland Trail Loop around the mountain, considered by many to be one of the best in the world. The park includes a historic lodge (the 1916 National Park Inn), Christine and Narada waterfalls, and Relection Lake. Don't miss the spring wildflowers!
Snoqualmie Falls
See the dramatic, 268-foot wall of water come crashing down at Snoquaimie Falls. You can hike the trails leading to the falls base, sample one of the wines at Snoquaimie Winery, and take a 10-mile ride on the Puget Sound and Snoquaimie Valley Railroad.
Columbia River Gorge
Set on the banks of the rolling Columbia River, this area offers first-rate hiking, biking, golf, whitewater rafting, kayaking, windsurfing, kiting, downhill & cross country skiing. The gorge tends to be windy, making it a haven for windsurfers. You'll also find phenomenal salmon and steelhead fishing.
Tillicum Village, Blake Island
Enjoy the delights of a traditionally-cooked Pacific Northwest Indian style salmon dinner at Tillicum Village, a place that brings this region's Native American heritage to live. Take the cruise that leaves from Pier 55-56 in Seattle (206-443-1244) for a 4-hour jaunt that includes a narrated harbor tour and the Dance On the Wind stage show, plus time for a walk on the beach or their nature trail.
Leavenworth
Love quaint German villages? Then you will want to take a day trip to Leavenworth. Set northeast of Seattle in the Cascade Mountains, this Bavarian themed village will charm you with its Nutcracker Museum, German restaurants, and shops. Don't miss the Oktoberfest celebration!
Wolf Haven, Tenino
You can see wolves living in their natural surroundings, then make plans to visit on a Friday or Saturday evening for a Summer Howl-In. This nonprofit organization rescues wolves from all outside and within Washington state. You'll learn about wolf lore, myths and truths, and more. (3111 Offut Lake Rd., Tenino, WA, 360-264-4695)
Walla Walla Valley Wine
More than a hundred vineyards and wineries are making use of Eastern Washington's incredible grape-growing conditions to produce award-winning wines. Clustered around the college town of Walla Walla in the state's southeastern corner, you'll enjoy plenty of magnificent scenery as you drive or bike between wineries.
Seattle Aquarium
See what's hiding underneath the waters of the Puget Sound and the Pacific Coral Reef! You can explore the hands-on tide pools, see the Giant Pacific Octopus, and tour the world's only aquarium-based salmon ladder. 366 species of fish, invertebrates, birds, and marine mammals call this aquarium home. (Pier 59, Waterfront Park, 1483 Alaskan Way, 206-386-4320)
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Last Updated on Monday, 15 September 2008 19:21 |
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Written by Administrator
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Camping Gems - Places to Eat in Washington State
Seattle
Wild Ginger
Metropolitan Grill
Ivar's on the Waterfront
Snoqualmie
Salish Lodge Dining Room
Poulsbo
Molly Ward Gardens
Port Townsend
The Wild Coho
Salal Cafe
Spokane
BitterSweet Bakery and Bistro
Latah Bistro
Olympia
Lemongrass |
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Last Updated on Monday, 15 September 2008 18:55 |
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Written by Administrator
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Camping Gems - Things to Do in Washington State
Kayak the Puget Sound, watching for seals, great blue herons, and orca whales.
Ride the ferry to Bainbridge Island or the San Juan Islands.
Explore one of the few temperate rain forests in the world in the Olympic National Park.
Hike through the wildflowers at Mt. Rainier National Park.
Tour the wineries of the Walla Walla Valley.
Build sand castles and run on the beach at Ocean Shores.
Take a whale-watching cruise around the San Juan Islands.
Watch the peregrine falcons and thousands of shorebirds at the Gray's Harbour Shorebird Festival.
Enjoy a traditionally-cooked Pacific Northwest Indian style salmon dinner at Tillicum Village.
Get a view of one of America's most active volcanoes, Mt. Saint Helens.
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Last Updated on Monday, 15 September 2008 18:53 |
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