6 Fun Beginner Snowshoe Hikes in Washington
By Lisa Mize
Winter in Washington can bring magnificent snow, but what if you are not a downhill skier? Have you tried snowshoeing? Snowshoeing is a wonderful way to get out into the snow, see gorgeous views, have some adventures and get some exercise!
We are going to cover a six beginner shoeshoe hikes to make you comfortable with the technique and these are even pretty kid friendly too! So, go buy, borrow or rent some snowshoes and let’s go!
But first, be sure to check out some tips for preparation with this article and this one from WTA.
Let’s jump into the Six Fun Beginner Snowshoe Hikes!
1. Nisqually Vista Trail at Paradise, Mount Rainier
This easy 1.0-mile loop can be accessed from the grand stone steps next to the Visitor Center or from the west end of the lower Paradise parking lot.
If it is a clear or partially clear day, you will have views of the Nisqually Glacier, viewpoints of the Nisqually River canyon and also Mount Rainier!
Be sure to have your National Park pass and know when the gate at Longmire will be closed for the night!
2. White Salmon Creek, Salmon Ridge Sno-Park
There are a few trails to choose from at this Sno-Park near Mount Baker. We enjoy heading out to the river and following the river looking for views of the surrounding mountains including Mount Shuksan.
The Nooksack River Valley is also a beautiful place to explore as the trails wind through the forests! As this is a Sno-Park, be sure to grab your pass here before you go!
3. White Salmon Road, Forest Service Road 3075
While not to be confused with snowshoe hike number 2, this hike is just below the Mount Baker Ski area and does not require any passes or permits. This is a 5.0-mile roundtrip hike with about 485 feet of elevation gain. You will be treated to multiple viewpoints of Mount Shuksan as you hike down the wide forest service roads. The final push up to the viewpoint is totally worth it! The grand viewpoint of Shuksan and the valley is breathtaking! This has a very small parking lot, so maybe have a plan B if you go on a very busy day.
4. Lake Wenatchee State Park, Lake Wenatchee Sno-Park
Though these trails do require a Sno-Park pass, you have 43 miles of non-motorized trails for snowshoeing! Twelve of those dedicated to just snowshoe trails! Take in the forest and views of the lake. Breathe in the scents of the Ponderosa Pine trees mixed with snow! You also have the option of being on the north side, the south side or both! They bring two different experiences and views for you! These trails are extremely kid friendly!
5. Wenatchee Crest, Blewett Pass Sno-Park
This 6.0 mile round trip hike with 400 feet of elevation gain is an absolute dream! If you are blessed with a clear day you will have views of Glacier Peak, sometimes of Mount Rainier, the Teanaway Mountains, the Stuart Range — all the way from Miller Peak to the Peshastin Creek Valley, Tronsen Ridge and Diamond Head. Just WOW! A Sno-Park permit is required here. There are two parking lots. One at the trailhead and a large one across the highway.
6. Methow Valley Trail Systems
Sun Mountain, Mazama, Methow Valley and Rendezvous all have multiple snowshoe trails to choose from. We checked out Patterson Lake and walked down along the lake and came back the same way. Ice fishermen were dotted along the lake hoping to catch a few! We had some amazing views, but be sure to get the Methow Trails snowshoe trail pass before you get to any trailhead.
Snowshoeing is so fun and it takes you places you cannot go by foot only! There are so many trails available all over the state! Washington Trail Association is a great tool to search for snowshoe trails near you. Go ahead and make some plans to head out this winter!
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Photographing Autumn in Washington
By Lisa Mize
Where to Photograph Autumn Colors in Our Gorgeous State
Can you feel it? Autumn is here and, in my opinion, the best season in Washington, certainly for photography! Grab your camera or your cell phone and let’s go on some road trips to capture the amazing fall colors that our state has to offer while you make some print worthy photos to hang on your wall or share on your social media!
But first, WHEN do you go? Here are two invaluable and free interactive maps that show the progression of Autumn colors including near peak, peak, past peak and more. https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map or https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map
What about the weather? Fall colors are stunning in whatever weather is thrown at you! Blue skies bring great contrasts in colors, but rain and fog bring a moody feeling for your photos!
WHERE do you go? I am covering three great road trips with prime leaf peeping!
Road Trip #1
The Mount Baker Highway (SR 542) runs from Bellingham into the Cascade foothills and ends at Artist Point above the Mount Baker Ski Area.
At about 41 miles from Bellingham, turn right onto Wells Creek Rd to reach Nooksack Falls. A short walk from the parking lot brings you to the falls and the Autumn colors surrounding the area and the valley downstream of the falls is quite spectacular.
Before you reach the ski area, stop at Picture Lake. You can walk all the way around the lake and, if the water is calm, Mount Shuksan reflects perfectly in the lake! Capture Shuksan, the lake, the surrounding trees and all the Autumn color. Look for pathways, bridges, walkways or docks to add into your photos. If you are lucky, you might have some amazing fog hovering over the lake!
Keep heading up the mountain to Heather Meadows Visitor Center. Take a walk and take in the unlimited views!! Make large, grand photos but remember to get close and capture smaller scenes, even just one fallen leaf! Get creative! Never walk on any vegetation and always stay on walkways and trails.
At the very end of the highway is Artist Point. From the parking lot head towards Mt. Shuksan. The walkways offer many different viewpoints of Mt. Shuksan, Mt. Baker (Kulshan), colored shrubs, trees, and tarns where, if you get low, you can hopefully capture another reflection of Shuksan! If you want to get some hiking in, you get some amazing views of Mt. Baker from the Chain Lakes or the Ptarmigan Ridge trails.
Road Trip #2
The North Cascades Highway (SR 20) focuses on the section from Concrete to the Methow Valley.
As you head east, Big Leaf Maples line the road, and they are all in their Autumn splendor! There are several places you can pull over safely to take some photos of something that strikes your fancy! As you are following the Skagit River, keep on the lookout for fishermen to add to your composition or look for Sauk Mountain on the north side!
Close to the town of Concrete on your right, you’ll find Hurn Field, a wildlife viewing area that may add some elk or other wildlife to your composition!
Past Rockport is the Sutter Creek Rest Area right on the river. There are some amazing huge trees and a great fence to photograph, but across the highway is the very picturesque St. Martin-St. Francis Episcopal Church surrounded by Autumn foliage! This is definitely worth a stop!
One note: Marblemount is your last opportunity to fuel up your car until Mazama, 75 miles away!
One of the hidden gems is Newhalem’s Gorge Powerhouse. At the east end of this “company town”, near the powerhouse, cross over the suspension bridge to the trails that run throughout the grounds along Ladder Creek Falls. You will want to spend some time to photograph the falls, the countless trees, fallen leaves of every color and shape, stone structures, pathways and more!
As you continue east, you must stop at the Diablo Lake Overlook. The gorgeous turquoise water is caused by glacial runoff, and it is a fantastic subject surrounded by mountains and fabulous color! Be sure to walk the whole fence line for all the different views!
The Washington Pass Overlook is the highest point of this segment and has amazing views of Liberty Bell Mountain, Early Winter Spires, the valley and more! The mostly paved trails lead to several overlooks, and you can also climb a bit higher for even more views! This location is amazing at any time, but in the fall, it is extra breathtaking! (Note: The pass does close during the winter!)
On your descent into the Methow Valley, the granite mountains make way for farmland, barns, cottonwood and aspen trees to photograph!
Road Trip #3
Highway US 2 from Everett to Leavenworth via Stevens Pass.
There are many popular hikes on the way to Stevens Pass including Wallace and Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Serene. These are beautiful locations any time of year, but with fall color, they are spectacular!
Deception Falls Picnic Area, at milepost 57, has a lovely and easy nature loop trail along Deception Creek with views of the Upper and Lower Falls plus a couple more waterfalls along the Tye River. If you brought your tripod, try your hand at some long exposures to make the falls silky!
Lake Wenatchee State Park is an absolutely fantastic location! Docks, sandy beaches, driftwood, mountains and lots of color all around the lake make for some of the most amazing views in the south entrance of the park. Be sure to go by the boat launch for stunning views where the Wenatchee River flows from the lake. Emerald Island makes an amazing addition to your photos too and on a calm day you can get extra fantastic reflections! For a short hike, check out Hidden Lake!
As you head further east through Tumwater Canyon, you are surrounded with maple, dogwood, cottonwood and aspen tree groves! A couple of stops are the Swiftwater Picnic Area and the Tumwater Dam but be sure to check out other pullouts, looking specifically for still pools in the river to capture wonderful reflections!
The Old Pipeline Bed Trailhead is where you find the old, rusty Tumwater Canyon Bridge that is a fabulous addition to a river composition with the gorgeous fall colors surrounding it. Walk onto the bridge for more views of the Wenatchee River, its grand boulders and the surrounding mountains. The easy and lovely hike that starts on the other side of the bridge goes along the river and is full of fall foliage!
As you emerge from the canyon at Leavenworth, take a right onto Icicle Road which takes you into another canyon that follows Icicle Creek back into the Cascade Mountains for several more miles of photo worthy views! The Icicle Creek Trail is an easy hike to explore!
In Leavenworth, the main street has lovely trees to photograph along with the gazebo in Front Street Park and the adorable store fronts.
For a lovely stroll, head down to Waterfront Park to explore the forest and riverfront trails. Cross the bridge onto Blackbird Island and continue over to Enchantment Park to seek out ponds, ducks, trails covered in fallen leaves and keep an eye out for fly fishermen to create some magical photos!
A few more of my favorite places to photograph fall colors are Mount Rainier National Park, Chuckanut Drive, the Yakima River Canyon, Walla Walla, Spokane to Green Bluff, the Olympic National Park, the Washington Park Arboretum and ANY Japanese garden! Get out there and capture some amazing photos and memories!
Remember Autumn is a fantastic time to get out and Explore Washington State.
Lisa’s motto is to “Live life with Strength, Love, and Adventure!” It is even tattooed on her arm as a daily reminder! Born and raised in Washington, and now living on Puget Sound on her boat, MV Our Dance, she seeks out any adventure outdoors: kayaking down a waterway, hiking and backpacking along endless trails, listening to the waves crash while sleeping on the beach, biking a gorgeous trail, or just casting off lines and see where the Salish Sea takes her, but she is doing it all, camera in one hand and her husband’s hand in the other!
As a local and world travel, landscape and portrait photographer, Lisa has a burning passion for photography and living a purposeful life. She loves sharing what she sees, feels, and experiences to bring the World to people who cannot see it themselves and then to inspire others to seek out their own beautiful places and adventures. After her son’s suicide, she is determined and driven to share and remind everyone that there IS still beauty and good in this world!
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Spring is a perfect time to work on your photography creativity! Flowers and fields of flowers allow ample opportunity to work on your compositions and macro or close up photography!
Tips for Photographing Flowers
Use Soft, Natural Light for the best photos!
- Shoot during golden hour (early morning or late afternoon) for warm, soft light. I recommend using a tripod if you can at these times with low light to make sure you have crisp, clean photos!
- Overcast days are great too—clouds act like a natural diffuser, reducing harsh shadows.
- If you are shooting in bright sunlight, try to shade the flowers you are doing close ups on. It will reduce those harsh shadows. (An umbrella or photography light diffuser can help you with this!)
- Photographing many flowers, like fields of flowers can still do well in bright sunlight.
- Fog can be a wonderful addition to your images too so don't stay home if the weather looks "bad"!
Get Close & Fill the Frame
- Use macro mode (if available) or a macro lens to capture fine details like petals and textures.
- Avoid too much background distraction—focus on the flower itself or details of the flower.
- Find a bee or a bug sitting happily on a petal or even a droplet of water or frost.
Go Wide and Go Big
- Go ahead and photograph a whole field or a big portion of it! Maybe it has one color or maybe rows and rows of multiple colors!
- If the sky is just gray with no interest, do not include it in your composition. Angle down or get nice and low to remove the sky from your image or use your depth of field to "blur" out the background.
- Add the dramatic clouds, sunrise or sunset if they present themselves!
Try Different Angles & Perspectives
- Instead of always shooting from above, get eye-level with the flower.
- Experiment with side angles or even from underneath for a unique look.
- If in a field, shoot down the rows to add some leading lines, maybe to a barn or the mountains.
- Look for puddles to photograph reflections in. Flowers and even the clouds make awesome subjects for reflections!
- Find diagonal lines, curved lines and squiggly lines.
Find a Main Subject of your Composition
- Look for a barn, the mountains, an old tractor, a windmill, the rising sun or anything else that gives you something extra to look at besides a big field. People can even add some interest to your photos!
- How about one different colored flower in a sea of one color?
- Of course, if you are "filling the frame" with a close-up. THAT is your main subject!
- Your main subject could be your frame full of one color.
Watch for Wind & Stability
- Flowers move easily in the wind—shoot on a calm day if you can.
- If it's windy, try shielding the flower with your body or just use a higher shutter speed to freeze movement.
Bonus Tips:
Use LIGHT creatively for spotlighting your flowers.
Look for events happening in your area to get some added creativity and excitement in your photos, like hot air balloons at a tulip festival!
Keep your eye out for the unexpected!
Look for Fresh, Vibrant Flowers! Wilted or damaged petals won’t be as visually appealing.
Take a quick look around your “frame” or view and be aware of harsh shadows, boring skies, porta potties or any other distraction that will take away from your beautiful flower photos!
If you go to a festival, photograph your own flowers in your backyard or even photograph flowers on your daily walk, look for creative ways to photograph one, three or a whole field of flowers, but most importantly, have FUN and enjoy the colors!!!
Please message me if you have any questions or anything to add! Happy spring!
Dale Carnegie
Sometimes consistency is key! Just getting out and photographing purposely can help make you a better photographer!
Here are two different photography challenges for you for 2025. One is a year long, 52 week challenge where you pick a topic and take that photo that week. Maybe you want to create 5 photos for each topic! It is totally up to you! Feel free to do whatever order you want!
The second photography challenge is for the Winter and only has 20 prompts for you! Maybe this is a much easier challenge for you! If you can't find snow, feel free to just get creative and choose your own challenge!
If you don't understand a prompt, please reach out and I would be happy to explain it to you!
I would love it if you join me and a group of photographers who are looking to accelerate their photography! I am offering FREE zoom calls, FREE photography walks (in the greater Seattle area) and in-person one day and multi-day workshops! Join us on Facebook at the Lisa Mize Photography CREATIVES group and be sure to sign up for my newsletter to stay up to date on all that I am offering and teaching!
Cheers to an amazing and CREATIVE 2025!!!
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"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers" is from the book Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery and I could not agree more!
I absolutely love autumn and I always look forward to the chill in the air, the colors changing and getting to wear knit hats whenever I want!
Washington state is a dream location for fall colors! We have heather, huckleberry bushes, tamarack/larches, orchards, maples, aspens, mountain ash, red oak and more that bring us joy!
I'm going to list out some locations for you to venture out this October to see the colors first hand! This is by all means, not an exhaustive list!
Seattle area:
Washington Park Arboretum
Discovery Park
Seattle Japanese Gardens
Kubota Gardens
Bellevue area:
Bellevue Botanical Gardens
Mukilteo area:
Mukilteo Lighthouse
Bellingham area:
Whatcom Falls Park
Whidbey Island:
Meerkerk Gardens
Deception Pass State Park
Anacortes area:
Washington Park
Olympia area:
Yashiro Japanese Garden
The Capitol Campus
Squaxin Park
Tumwater Falls
Federal Way:
Rhododendron Botanical and Bonsai Gardens
Tacoma area:
Point Defiance Park and Gardens
Port Orchard:
Elandan Gardens
Port Gamble area:
St. Paul's Church
Bainbridge Island:
Bloedel Reserve
Snoqualmie area:
Snoqualmie Falls (above and down below)
Northwest Railway Museum
Borst Lake View Point
Yacolt area:
Lucia Falls
Sunset Falls
Moulton Falls
Moulton Bridge
Woodland area:
Cedar Creek Grist Mill
Walla Walla area:
Bennington Lake
Any Vineyard
Spokane area:
Green Bluff
Manito Park
Riverfront Park
Finch Arboretum
Ellensburg area:
Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park
Columbia River Gorge
Longview area:
Sacajawea Park
Mount Rainier/Tahoma area:
Naches Peak Loop (hike)
Tipsoo Lake
Little Tipsoo Lake
Narada Falls
Christine Falls
Reflection Lake
Sunrise
Paradise
Myrtle Falls
Hoh Rainforest
Yakima River Canyon Drive
Stevens Pass Greenway to Leavenworth (US 2)
Deception Falls
Lake Wenatchee State Park
Icicle River Road
Sleeping Lady Mt. Resort
Old Pipeline Bed Trailhead
Tumwater Canyon
Enchantment Park
Waterfront Park
Mount Baker Highway to Artist Point (SR 542)
Nooksack Falls
Picture Lake and Mount Shuksan
Austin Pass/Heather Meadows Visitor Center
Artist Point with views of Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker/Kulshan
Chuckanut Drive
North Cascades Highway to Winthrop (SR 20):
Hurn Field Wildlife Viewing Area
Sutter Creek Rest Area
St. Martin-St. Francis Episcopal Church
Newhalem’s Gorge Powerhouse and Ladder Creek Falls
Diablo Lake Overlook
Washington Pass
Methow Valley
I hope this list gives you a good place to start! I did not include all the details about all of the locations and I trust you can use google to help you out, but PLEASE message me and let me know if you have any specific questions about any of the locations!!!
Grab your camera or camera phone and just gooooo!
Happy Fall Y'all!!!
Lisa
In the morning, walk on to a Washington State Ferry in Anacortes. Be sure to read the schedule carefully, as not all boats go to each island in the San Juans. Be sure to keep an eye out for orca whales on the sail. Often, the captain will slow down the boat and announce where they are! What a treat, and you get to scratch off the “Spot an Orca in the San Juan’s” square on the Explore Washington State Bucket List Poster!
Renting Your Ride
After docking, check out Friday Harbor, a lovely little town full of great food, art, coffee and treats! We wanted to get on to the scootin’ part of our adventure, so we quickly stopped at Cin Cin Goods to grab a few pieces of Friday Harbor Chocolate for an afternoon treat!
Head on over to Susie’s Mopeds to pick up your adventure mobile for touring the island (be sure to book in advance!) My chosen vehicle was the Scoot Coupe which is perfect for two people, but they offer traditional and electric mopeds, electric F.U.V.’s, electric bikes and Chevy Trackers.
Eat and Explore
After your short training and with your map in hand, you are on your way. I prefer to tour the island counterclockwise as this puts you in Roche Harbor for a lovely lunch, but your first stop is the San Juan Winery and Vineyard to taste some lovely wines in a beautiful setting.
Now, on to Roche Harbor where you can walk in the gardens, read up on the history of the lime kilns, check out the artists, stroll the docks, and enjoy a bite to eat. I love the Madrona Grill with its large decks overlooking the marina, but the Lime Kiln Café is also an option. There is a well-stocked general store if you need to pick up any provisions, snacks or souvenirs.
Your next stop is the Wescott Bay Seafood Farm for fresh oysters! This can be your lunch stop, or just for a Salish Sea snack! If this is not your cup of tea, head on down the road to English Camp. Walk around, visit the old buildings and the English Garden, and be sure to learn the history of the Pig War!
Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm is next. These adorable creatures are worth the stop; be sure to pick up something from their shop! The San Juan County Park is just beyond. What a gorgeous day park and campground right on the water. Sit for a spell and take in the view. Maybe plan to come back to camp here soon!
Lighthouses, Lavender, and More on San Juan Island
The picturesque Lime Kiln Lighthouse (aka Whale Watch Park) is a MUST-stop! A speaker is installed to broadcast any orcas as they swim and feed in this area. Minke and humpback whales also pass through this area. Be sure to stop in the store and the interpretive center (open during peak season) before heading back out.
It’s definitely time for a snack, so stop at the gorgeous Pelindaba Lavender Farm and indulge in some lavender ice cream while you stroll the fields, learn about the harvesting and distilling of lavender, play cornhole or giant Jenga and do some shopping for anything and everything lavender.
One of the most beautiful parts of the drive is the road out to False Bay. You experience farmland to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Take a moment to take it all in. The Scoot Coupe is all open-air and it really allows you to connect with nature and the scents in the areas you travel to.
If you have planned your time well, stop and stretch your legs at American Camp. The views are spectacular, and you might even spot red foxes playing in the grass or orcas out in the water!
Returning to Friday Harbor
Cattle Point and its lighthouse are the last stop of your loop drive. Not as picturesque as Lime Kiln Lighthouse, but its views are nothing short of perfection. Feel free to park and take the trail right up to the lighthouse and the stairs down to the beach. You will not be disappointed to make this stop.
Time to head back to Susie’s Mopeds and drop off your adventure vehicle at the allotted time. If you do have time before your ferry comes to take you back to Anacortes, have dinner at one of the many restaurants in Friday Harbor. Friday’s Crabhouse is wonderful, and it overlooks the ferry dock.
Enjoy the sun setting from the deck of the ferry and reflect on your truly magical day!
This is not a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of day. I highly recommend you do your research before you head out. Reserve with Susie’s, and check out the websites of the locations you wish to visit as some are not open seven days a week. Be careful with the ferry schedule, dress accordingly, and most importantly, bring your phone or camera to capture your fabulous day!
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Dear Friends,
On September 28th, 2021, my 26-year-old son, Jake, died by suicide. Most of us have experienced grief in our life, and I would be honored if you would come along with me to connect in our moments of pain, our moments of processing and our moments of HOPEFULNESS.
This gallery is titled “HOPE Out of Pain” and is dedicated to my Jake, who tragically lost his hope, but my desire in sharing it with you is to remind you and the world, that there is always hope, you just have to look for it.
*10% of all proceeds from this show will go to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
I am glad you are here,
Lisa
Lisa’s motto is to “Live life with Strength, Love, and Adventure!” It is even tattooed on her arm as a daily reminder! Born and raised in Washington, and now living on Puget Sound on her boat, MV Our Dance, she seeks out any adventure outdoors: kayaking down a waterway, hiking and backpacking along endless trails, listening to the waves crash while sleeping on the beach, biking a gorgeous trail, traveling by motorhome in foreign countries, or just casting off lines to see where the Salish Sea takes her, but she is doing it all, camera in one hand and her husband’s hand in the other!
As a local and world travel, landscape and portrait photographer, Lisa has a burning passion for photography and living a purposeful life. She loves sharing what she sees, feels, and experiences to bring the World to people who cannot see it themselves and then to inspire others to seek out their own beautiful places and adventures. After her son’s suicide, she is determined and driven to share and remind everyone that there IS still beauty, hope and good in this world!
www.LisaMizePhotography.com
IG: @lisamizelandscapephotography
FB: Lisa Mize Photography
[email protected]
Backlit Trees at Sunset
Skagit County, Washington
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Moments of Hopefulness: Winter trees bring the promise of new life in the spring. When they are backlit, the details often get lost, but that is because the LIGHT is actually more powerful in that moment. Light brings hope and comfort.
Waves Suspended in Time 3
Oregon Coast
Moments of Processing: While processing grief, time can slow down or even stand still. You can see tiny fragments, overwhelming power, but even light and peacefulness too.
Waves Suspended in Time 2
Oregon Coast
Moments of Processing: While processing grief, time can slow down or even stand still. You can see tiny fragments, overwhelming power, but even light and peacefulness too.
Waves Suspended in Time 1
Oregon Coast
Moments of Processing: While processing grief, time can slow down or even stand still. You can see tiny fragments, overwhelming power, but even light and peacefulness too.
The Very End of the Day
Oregon Coast
Moments of Hopefulness: Sharp rocks can cause pain, but they hold and protect the life that is attached to them as they wait until the sea returns to bring the nourishment they need to survive another day.
Overbearing Beauty
Mountain at St. Mary Lake, Glacier NP, Montana
Moments of Pain: Up close it’s overwhelming, huge, rugged, painful, unclear, but it’s amazingly beautiful if you step back, even for a moment, to remind yourself to see the whole picture.
Carving Out a Way
Kootenai Main Falls, Montana
Moments of Processing: The water wears down the land as it makes its way, just as grief carves out a permanent place in our life, but the carved way can still be strong and beautiful.
A New Path Through Life
Silver Falls Loop Trail, Ohanapecosh River. Mt. Rainier
Moments of Processing: It’s a new path, an unknown path. You could focus on your steps, but you’ll miss the beauty everywhere. Focus on your breath. Look for the light coming through the trees. Look for the life all around you. Breathe deeply.
Layers and Layers
Kootenai Falls, Montana
Moments of Pain: Layers and layers of grief flow over us, sometimes in a trickle, sometimes rushing uncontrollably and we are just trying to catch our breath, but water is also cleansing.
Mountain Prominences
Lake McDonald, Glacier NP, Montana
Moments of Pain: Rugged, sharp, hard. There is darkness where the light does not touch, but the softness of new snow and the reflecting light create an incredible beauty.
Newness
Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park
Moments of Hopefulness: After a dormant, almost deathlike winter, spring comes and brings new life, new vibrancy. A hopefulness fills you for the next season of your life.
Calmness
Lake McDonald, Glacier NP, Montana
Moments of Processing: “Blue hour” happens twice a day and it brings feelings of comfort and peace. It only lasts moments but those short moments are sweet gifts.
First Light
Mount Rainier and Little Tipsoo Lake
Moments of Pain: The nights are long and dark. You wake to darkness. Finally the light arrives and it shows itself in an amazing way. The light is coming, keep your eyes to the light.
Sunset At Whaleshead Beach
Brookings, Oregon
Moments of Hopefulness: The warmth of the setting sun is like a wonderful hug. It provides a close to the day with the promise of a new day to follow. These colors remind me of the beauty and hope that will be here tomorrow.
Lost at Sea
Oregon Coast
Moments of Pain: The feeling of being completely lost, alone. Weeds can entangle and pull you down, but even a glimmer of light can help you stay focused.
Smooth Chaos
Kootenai Falls, Montana
Moments of Processing: At first glance it feels like chaos, like there is no order, but if you focus long enough, the colors and the smoothness reveal their order and you can see the direction.
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“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.”
These two quotes from Brené Brown, have been speaking to me in a deep way.
I have decided to publicly, for the first time, talk about my son's suicide. Tears well up in my eyes as I type this. It's been a long, painful journey over these last 16 months. It is not a secret I keep, and I know we need to talk more openly about suicide, I just, well, I couldn't.
I will share the realness of my pain, I will not sugar coat it and no, I will not "just get over it." I hate the phrase, "Choose Joy." How am I supposed to just, "choose joy" when the pain runs so deep? If I can't "choose joy" does that mean I am doing it "wrong?" "Time heals all wounds." What amount of time? "He is in a better place." No, his place is here. Did you notice all of the quotation marks, along with all the multitudes of other "shoulds" and clichés that go along with grief and death? They are exhausting, frustrating and full of lies.
Yeah, part of my journey is recognizing just that...this is MY JOURNEY. No one else's. I have fully embraced that, and I am learning to live within my grief and pain, knowing this is not something that will one day end. The love for a child never just evaporates. I look forward to maybe just a little less pain when I think about my Jake and the pain that he was in, that he thought the only way out, was to take his life.
In Jake's goodbye letter, he mentioned that (my interpretation) he could not see the good in the world anymore. He saw no beauty, only the harshness of people. I have taken this idea to help drive my photography these last 16 months. I want to show all the Jake's of this world that there is so much beauty and still so much good, you just need to look.
My counselor at the time, encouraged me to do some of my processing with my camera. I had a difficult time raising my camera to my eye early on, but I knew I could use my smart phone to give this a try. But, how do I tell the story of the pain I was in? On my, almost daily walks at the marina, where I live, I started to see pain, or more so, things that can bring me pain so I started photographing those. Here are some of the photos I took.
Unending sharp, cutting thorns.
Huge, deep cutting thorns.
Barnacles that scrape and can draw blood.
Rocks that can break bones, scrapes and cuts.
Water that can drown or sink a ship.
Those captures helped me with seeing the pain. But, wait. What else do these thing offer?
I needed to see the good too.
The first thorns come from one of the most fragrant rose bushes I have ever encountered. The aroma greets me when they are in bloom and their season is long. It is candy for my eyes with the gorgeous colors.
The second large thorns are blackberry bushes that bring nice juicy fruits for cobblers, pies and pancake toppings or, just the pure joy of picking some alongside the path for a sweet moment.
The barnacles contain life and they help keep our waters filtered and they are an important role in the food chain, plus they are fun to listen to and also watch when they are active.
The rocks provide shelter for little critters to live and stay protected from those who want to eat them and they provide a surface for other life to also live. Rocks can also hold up hillsides and structures, like these rocks that keep the train tracks above them, safe and sturdy.
We need water to just survive, to grow crops, to provide a home to so many living creatures from tiny plankton to the Antarctic Blue whale weighing 400,000 pounds. Also, water allows me to live on a boat and go on many adventures.
Are you following me? There is pain in this world. We all have pain of some sort and most also have grief. Don't hurry and try to get "through it" or "to the other side." You just can't. Know it's okay to sit with pain and grief, but seek healing and learn how to handle it. Don't ignore the hard stuff and try to bury it away. Be vulnerable like Brené talks about. Talk to others, be courageous. It is NOT weakness. It is hard and it hurts, but only good can come from healing and learning to just be.
Remember, there really is good and beauty in the world, you just have to look for it. Thank you for allowing me to be vulnerable with you and in a very public way. I do not take this lightly. It is now part of my journey.
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When I stumble upon or go to a planned location that I wish to capture, I first take in the whole scene. What am I seeing? A main subject? Special lighting? Reflections? Colors? What is it exactly that draws me to this scene?
Once I have identified that, I start deciding how I am going to share this little story and I go through these steps to make sure I capture what I desire.
1. Take a full, widest angle you can of the scene. Capture it all. Now, was it too much? A little messy or busy? Did you need that wide angle to tell the story you want to share? That answer could be yes, but let's try some more!
2. Now, tighten up that view a little bit. Can you see clearly what you are trying to capture or is it still lost in the bigger scene? Maybe it's perfect.
3. Next, come in tight. Focus on the one object you chose. Did it pull away from everything around it? Does it look like it is the star of the show or does it need a little bit more of the story around it, brought back into the view?
4. Be sure to turn your camera into the vertical position too. Sometimes that allows you to isolate or focus on your main subject and can give a different feel all together.
Look at what you captured. Did the close-up surprise you with a "stronger" image or maybe did it lose something? On your widest angle, did you happen to see things on the outside edges of the images that did not contribute anything to your scene or maybe it was exactly as needed.
Which angle (telephoto, vertical, horizontal, or wide-angle) captured what you wanted to freeze in time?
What is amazing, is that this will change every time! Continue to practice all four steps as you are out and about with your smart phone or your camera. You will find that this becomes second nature to you. You will eventually start seeing the shots in your mind, but I still encourage you to try out these different steps. Someday you will be sad that you didn't get a vertical shot of that one scene that would have been perfect on that magazine cover! ;)
Oh! By the way, these photos were all shot with my iPhone 12 PM on a gorgeous morning in spectacular golden light!
Below is another example of getting multiple shots of one location to find your favorite composition and story to tell!
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There are many types of light and I will go through a non-exhaustive list with you!
Bright Sunlight or Hard Light: often in the middle of the day that causes harsh shadows, and direct or concentrated light spread. This light can be difficult to photograph depending on your subject. Other times it's just perfect when you want to capture blue bird skies or even stormy clouds! The following two photos are from the Palouse region in Eastern Washington. The first is just full sun. The second has a concentrated light and shadows.
Golden Light or Golden Hour: this warm glow happens almost magically in the morning, during the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. Most photographers seek out this lighting! This warm glow can truly add magic to a photo! Also, this is great light for breathtaking portrait photography! These next two photos are of that morning golden light that add such richness.
Sunrise and Sunset: this light can cast long shadows as the light is low to the horizon. They can be any color you can think of, pinks, purples, yellows and oranges. The colors can add so much to a scene! Have you ever seen a sunrise or sunset you didn't like? Me either! :) In the next two photos you can see the differences in the colors that can show up for sunrises and sunsets!
Blue Hour: this light happens just before sunrise and then after sunset. It makes the sky a beautiful blue. It only lasts for maybe 20 minutes, so you need to be quick, but the experience and images are truly amazing! As you can see in the next photos that blue hour can be absolutely beautiful!
Diffused Light or Soft Light: this light happens when there is cloud cover and the light is evenly spread, softening shadows. This is perfect outdoor, portrait lighting! It also is good for many outdoor scenes like in the woods, long exposures, crashing seas and especially when you don't need an interesting sky in whatever you are photographing. Sometimes there is even color in the diffused light!
Flat Light: this is when there is no distinct contrast in the scene. Everything just seems to be the same, the highlights and the shadows. This is different from the lovely diffused light I just mentioned. I have been in beautiful places and have taken photos and realized something is lacking...it is most often that the lighting is "flat" and it is not providing the "pop" needed to make a scene stand out and come to life. As you can see, this is a beautiful place in the Hoh Rainforest, but this day was just, well, flat so the photos have no heart almost!
Start training your eyes to look for the light! Often, when I am with other people, I will point out the light around us, hoping they will see the beauty too! They often hadn't even noticed!
As you look for the light, what do you see? Do you see cool patterns from shadows because the sun is bright? Are the moss and trees dripping with beauty because the light is diffused or soft? What scene can you set up with that gorgeous sunrise or sunset as your backdrop? What can you capture with that beautiful golden light that just warms you to the core?
Light is a necessary part of photography. As you learn it, your images will only get better!
Waking up Friday morning, I asked Johnny, “Where can we go?” It’s supposed to be so beautiful this coming weekend, so we decided on a “Blakation” as the boating community calls a trip over to Blake Island.
We pulled into the marina and two bald eagles greeted us in a tree close to shore.
The deer were grazing, the Canada geese were honking, kids were playing and running around while the adults looked on. Some folks had grabbed dock carts and were hauling their camping gear out to the campsites and Mount Rainier (Tahoma) stood in her place at the end of Puget Sound. Friendly boaters were helping the newcomers by catching lines as they came in. The iconic Washington State Ferries were busy on their routes to the north and to the south of the island. Container ships were anchored out in view, waiting their turn to be unloaded in Seattle.
It’s winter in Seattle, but the sun was out. The blue skies and puffy white clouds filled our windless view.
I found a huge sunbeam on “Our Dance’s” party deck, as we call it. Relaxing and reading was about all I had on my to do list this day.
As the sun was setting, the sky came alive with purples and pinks. The docks had quieted down as most people were serving up dinner. I walked out to the beach to photograph the skies over the Seattle skyline. Turning to the south, the majestic Mount Rainier was draped with the colors of the sunset and the Vashon ferry was running its route, right in front of the mountain. I just stood there for a moment saying to myself, “We live in an amazing place.”
I turned back toward Seattle. The pinks and purples had disappeared, but what was appearing right before me was BLUE! Blue everywhere! The sky, the water, everything. It felt like it had enveloped me too! I do love the blue hour when everything seems to change into the most calming and peaceful color.
Johnny was manning the BBQ and grilling up fish and veggies for dinner. We happily enjoyed our meal next to our propane fire on the party deck. Soon the cards came out for a “friendly” game that I lost terribly!!!
I almost woke too late the next morning as the sky was already filling with color! Pinks, purples, oranges! It was crazy cold and about 36 degrees. The main dock was extremely slippery with frost. I carefully managed my way across and headed to the beach to find some interesting compositions for the sunrise. I was hoping to include Mount Rainier, too! With all the driftwood, the gorgeous trees, tall grasses, rocks, sand and shells definitely made my composition hunting pretty easy! It was just a spectacular morning.
Hiking was on our list while at Blake. Eight miles to choose from, plus five miles of beach! We set out for a couple hours enjoying the beautifully maintained, but sometimes VERY muddy trails. Sunny skies, cool air and no wind made for a lovely hike.
Naps and rests on the deck, with the sun on our face, warmed us to our core. Lovely….
There was not the most spectacular of sunsets, but the blue hour was again, gorgeous. I decided to do some long exposure photography to capture the Seattle skyline, the Space Needle, the Sound, and the perfect blue that blanketed everything in sight.
The racoons are often on the move in the evening, though during the day now, more and more, looking for free food! They will actually climb aboard boats to find food. The new folks to Blake might not know this yet and will often donate a loaf of bread or other treat to their newfound “friends”.
The docks had cleared earlier in the day, leaving about eight boats for Saturday night. The marina was much quitter than the active docks from the night before. We knew rain was coming on Sunday so we decided that writing, photo editing, planning and researching boat projects and of course naps would make for a great day while at Blake. We decided to stay until Monday!
I didn’t even set an alarm for sunrise, as I knew the rain was moving in, but WOW! Was I taken by surprise! Thankfully, it was daylight savings time that morning, so my body woke me up in plenty of time to see the sky filling with bright yellows, oranges, reds, and purples. I was in awe. What an amazing surprise for sure! Out I went for sunrise photos. There was no way I wasn’t capturing this! All of the campers were gone and no boaters were out yet, so I had the entire beach to myself. I watched Mount Rainer wake up and come alive. I watched the sun break above the Cascade Mountains and the Seattle hills. I saw the first, warm, morning light hit the amazing red barked madrone trees. Once again, I paused and said to myself, “We live in an amazing place!”
Minutes after I got back to the boat, the rains came as predicted. We never mind the rains (We do live in the PNW!) as they are so cleansing, and they also give us time to focus on maybe more pressing matters and chores as we are not itching to go play in the sun!
We had rain and high winds all day.
Monday morning, we were on our way home. We were going to take the long way home by going around Bainbridge Island to burn some fuel. (We need to do a repair on a tank and we need less fuel in that tank!) As we started around the island I asked, “Any reason we have to go home?” “Nope,” was the answer so we headed to Poulsbo for a night! We love Poulsbo! Great food, great beer, great coffee!
After we tied up and paid the guy at the port, who by the way, tried to get us to stay longer by enticing us with, “What is better than a bunch of drunk Vikings?” We headed into town to get some coffee at our favorite coffee shop, Hot Shots Java. We did a little browsing in a couple shops too. We walked up to the Red Western Brewery (our favorite in Poulsbo) and Johnny had a beer. They have a lovely outside seating area with heaters and an adorable fence, made from, yeah…cedar!
Johnny had a call to take back at the boat, so I stayed in town and did some shopping. This is not my norm, but I was looking for some writing journals that were “just the right size.” I was also on the lookout for a Birds of Puget Sound book. We see so many, I want to be able to identify them easily. I was thrilled to find both! Thankfully, Poulsbo has a couple of wonderful bookstores! (A Way With Words and Liberty Bay Books.) I also found a sweet gift for a dear friend. It was a locally written book that seemed to be written about her!
We decided to get some dinner at the Brass Kraken Pub so we could sit outside and watch the sun lower in the sky. Our server was fantastic!
We were the only ones on the whole dock! It was pretty fun!
The next morning, we decided that yeah, we should probably actually go home and that is what we did. What a wonderful get-away. The Puget Sound is an awesome place to live!
]]>This well-maintained property is located in La Push, about 20 minutes from Forks and US-101. On the Quileute Nation’s land, the tribe has called this land home since time immemorial and is rich in history and tradition. The tribe chose to open the resort on the mile long First Beach to invite others to visit and be able to experience their amazing land. It is an absolute honor to be welcomed to stay here. The ever-picturesque James Island, or A-Ka-Lat, is of great importance to the tribe, and it makes an amazing addition to the sunsets, though please remember no one is allowed on the islands as they are sacred. Check out https://quileutenation.org/history/ to learn more about these amazing people, their stories and traditions.
Resort Amenities
The resort offers every comfort level including deluxe and standard oceanfront cabins, two oceanfront motel units, camper cabins and now, two full-service RV parks, and for those roughing it, tenting is also available! All the rental units have a fully stocked kitchen, beautiful Native American décor and historic photos of the location. Many units have ocean views, but all are just a few steps to the beach. Two things that are wonderfully missing from the resort are Wi-Fi and TV’s and the only cell carrier is Verizon. The Lonesome Creek store has any last minute or forgotten items, including ice! A lovely, onsite coffee stand is available to fix your caffeine cravings. Laundry facilities, bathrooms and showers are available at the north end. In the camping area at the south end, there are additional porta potties that are regularly cleaned and maintained, and fire rings are available at each campsite too.
Start your day with coffee on the beach or on your private deck and watch the sun cast its first light onto James Island. After that, the options are endless! There are sandcastles to build, beach walks to take, kites to fly, driftwood forts to build, or a beach blanket and a book might be your pace. And First Beach is a great place for surfing! It is a fun time just watching these brave athletes and rooting them on to find the perfect wave. Look for whales while you soak in the view of the crashing waves and listen to the sound the rocks make as the waves are carried back out into the ocean. Play fetch with your four-legged friend as there is no shortage of the perfect sized stick! Ride bikes through the resort. After dinner (do check out the Rivers Edge Restaurant that is just a short walk away by the marina) enjoy a campfire or even a fire on the beach while watching the sunset! (Be sure to pick up a fire permit for beach fires at the office and bring your own wood as there is no burning of driftwood.) After dark, the stars fill the sky. The light pollution here is so low it is an amazing location for stargazing!
This is an all-weather resort. In the spring, the Quileute Tribe has a yearly welcoming of the whales event! In fact, winter may even be better than summer as the storm watching from the comfort of your rental is unbeatable. Crack open those windows and just listen! It’s a wonderful time to make more memories as you bring out the puzzles, the board and card games and snuggle in next to the fireplace. Don’t forget the hot chocolate. I do encourage you to still head out to the beach, just dress accordingly and keep an eye on the tide.
Beach Recommendations
As I mentioned before, Quileute Oceanside Resort makes a great base camp for the vast and spectacular Olympic Peninsula! If you can pull yourself away from the resort there is so much to see, adventure and explore! For hikers, I recommend going to Second Beach. It is a short hike down to this magnificent beach which is also a great location for an easy backpacking trip to spend a night or two directly on the beach. Third Beach is a little longer hike, but well worth every step through the gorgeous forest. Be sure to find the waterfall! Second and Third Beach can be walked to from the resort on a trail or they are a very short drive away.
Rialto Beach is a fantastic Beach that you can see from the end of the resort and the Quileute Marina, but you must drive about five miles inland to cross the Quillayute River that dumps into the Pacific Ocean at that location. Back out on US-101 there is Ruby Beach, though it is closed right now until September. Kalaloch Beach is where you can find the Tree of Life, something you definitely want to see! For more beach exploring, check out Kalaloch Beach 3, Beach 4, and hidden Beach 6! Look for the Big Cedar tree too, on the east side of US-101!
Explore The Area
Another gem is our Olympic National Park which is pure awesomeness! The Hoh Rainforest is a marvelous experience! There is the short .8-mile Hall of Mosses trail and the Spruce Nature Trail at 1.2 miles. If you want to hike further the Hoh River trail is a fantastic option. Many backpackers use that trailhead to get deep into the Park. Another option for going into the National Park is the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Campground which has three mineral soaking pools and a freshwater pool for day use. Further up the road, be sure not to miss the 1.6-mile round trip hike to the breathtaking Sol Duc Falls. You won’t regret that decision.
When you check out, don’t forget to pick up a souvenir, art, book or some jewelry at the beautifully stocked office and welcome center, and please, be sure to review the Tribe’s Photography and Video Policy at https://quileutenation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/media-policy.pdf.
The Quileute Oceanside Resort really does check all the boxes and it is definitely a yearround location! One hint, book EARLY! The resort fills up quickly as it is loved by many that return repeatedly. A true gift to us all from the Quileute Tribe.
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Mystery Picnic.
Those two words were just too intriguing. The marketing worked and I stopped scrolling!
AmazingCo.me/us is a website full of pre-prepared adventures for you and your partner, family, or friends to experience! I decided to book the Leavenworth “Mystery Picnic with Friends” and I (easily) convinced both my good friend and my mom to go with me on this totally new to us adventure!
I picked a date on AmazingCo’s calendar and booked online. Super easy. There is a minimum of two adults for $90 and each additional person is $45. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options are included for no extra charge! I quickly got an email apology stating that that there was an error in their calendar and that our picnic was actually not available on the date I chose. When they had me call to fix their error, a team member answered quickly and they were super helpful and friendly while getting our new date reserved.
I started out early from Seattle and picked up my travel buddies as we headed over Highway 2 toward Leavenworth. We stopped at the Nason Creek Rest Stop and our adventure started earlier than expected! We met a super friendly Austin Healey Car Club and they allowed us to sit in the cars, pose for endless photos, and answered all our questions. Had we not signed up for AmazingCo’s adventure, we would have never experienced this! After we got our fill of feeling like Hollywood celebrities, we needed to know where to start our Mystery Picnic so I pulled out my phone and we accessed our first puzzle! Of course, I will not divulge the puzzles nor the answers, but know they are definitely fun for sure!
Once we got the answer, we put the location into our phone and drove to that spot to find parking (Not a problem on an early morning on a Thursday, in Leavenworth). AmazingCo had recommended bringing a small cooler bag to carry with ice packs to keep our mystery foods cold. Great call.
Off we went to our first location and we picked up our first food item! In the bag it went! Hitting next on the phone moved us on to the next puzzle. We stood on the sidewalk and talked through the new puzzle. I am sure anyone who overheard us talking in hushed tones and half sentences might have been a little concerned that we were overheated and needed water, but we got it! There ARE hints available, and if you are STILL stuck, the answer is on the next screen. We mapped the second location and headed down the street.
Stopping to shop and browse as you go along is a wonderful way to extend the day and AdventureCo even gives a couple of ideas of other businesses to check out around each mystery location. This is a perfect way to explore new places you might have never been. There is always wine tasting, but have you ever been to an oil and vinegar tasting? Check out The Oil and Vinegar Cellar and prepare for culinary amazingness! For the geeks in your group, head to the Krampus Kave to wonder and maybe find a new board game to take home. For the artisan in you, be sure to go to the fair trade and non-profit Jubilee. Support an amazing cause and take something unique and beautiful back home or buy a gift for a loved one. If you are on a date, I highly recommend heading over to A Book for All Seasons to browse and maybe pick up a book of poetry to read aloud to your love during your picnic. Swoon…
We had two more mystery food locations to solve for and then the last location was their recommendation for enjoying the bounty we just collected. Even though they recommended a fabulous location we chose to enjoy our picnic and our afternoon together right in Leavenworth’s Front Street Park downtown. I ran back to the car to get our blanket, tablecloth, plates, knives, cheese board, and my own choice of wine that I brought from one of my favorite winemakers from Marrowstone Vineyards in Nordland, WA. (AmazingCo also has an option for adding wine to your adventure for $35.) It ended up we needed a second bottle (Don’t you always?), so my friend ran across the street to one of the wineries and bought another chilled bottle…heaven… You can always add a stop and visit Schocolat. Pick out one piece, if you have that kind of self-control, or buy an entire box. Enjoy these traditional Belgian style truffles and bon-bons. They will compliment your picnic and just might be pure perfection.
We truly enjoyed our amazing mystery foods and the amounts were all extremely generous.
Based on our experience, I have two recommendations. The first would be to bring some fruit with you as I think that would have rounded out our nosh perfectly. The next is simply to take your time. Don’t push straight through. It would be over too quickly. Part of the adventure is what you bring to it, so be sure to enjoy the other business recommendations or find your own as you are strolling about.
Some things that I LOVED about this adventure included the easiness of it all. You pay when you reserve and that is it. We also got to meet some awesome workers at the different mystery locations. They made us smile! The last thing I loved was that I went into SIX new businesses in Leavenworth that I have never been to before, either through the mystery locations or stores we found as we were strolling.
AmazingCo has other experiences like whole Weekend Mysteries, Murder Mysteries, at home activities like Game Nights and Foodie Fun Nights! They are adding some new adventures that I really want to try, like a Secret Menu Taster or a Drink Discovery Walk, some right in my own neighborhood! They are working diligently to add new locations and events!
AmazingCo opportunities are all over the United States and even in Australia and the United Kingdom! What a fabulous way to get intimate with a new location you are moving to or just visiting!
Give this a try! I am not sure an adventure could be any easier!
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We have many dear friends that live on boats and we have talked for a few years about joining them. Now was the perfect time! We bought a great boat, moved aboard and have never looked back. Here are some of our top reasons for living on a boat.
6. Decrease Monthly Expenses
The thought of living a lifestyle that we crave while decreasing our regular daily expenses seems like a dream, right? We found out that it can be done! Monthly moorage is less expensive than renting a land-based home (or a mortgage). Our heating bill is much lower, as is electricity and natural gas (now propane). Even our garbage and water bills are included in our moorage. We have found that we eat out less because we already have THE BEST waterfront view while dining!
5. Embracing Minimalism and Helping Our Planet
“The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life,” says Marie Kondo, organizing consultant and author of “Spark Joy.”
Minimalism is the rage right now. Less stuff = a better life. We could not agree more! It is absolutely astonishing what we actually do not need in our lives. Getting rid of extra “stuff” can bring tremendous peace. The freedom I felt while purging to get ready to move on a boat was immeasurable! (Even if you do not plan to move onto a boat, I highly recommend purging unneeded stuff from your life. You can thank me later!)
Minimalism goes hand and hand with helping to leave less of a “footprint” on our beautiful planet. Using less water, less fuel, less power, and buying less stuff that eventually ends up in a landfill is an impactful and simple way to help the environment and our little corner of the world.
4. The Wildlife
Your windows become your own National Geographic WILD channel!!! Every day you get to see the amazing life that lives in Puget Sound. All kinds of ducks, birds, eagles, seals and pups, otters, sea lions, and on extra special days, porpoises and occasionally even a humpback, gray, minke or a pod of orca whales!!!
We saw this seal and pup while kayaking by the San Juan Island National Wildlife Refuge.
3. Meeting Really Cool People
We grew up knowing everyone on our street, but we had not experienced that in years. Moving onto a boat introduces you to like-minded people and to an amazing community! We have found the community friendly, willing to help at a moment’s notice like catching lines as you dock on a very windy day, loaning tools, helping troubleshoot system problems and sharing knowledge from experience.
Planned and unplanned dock parties are the norm, sometimes with live music! Potluck dinners with way too many people smashed into a boat are some of my favorite memories in the marina. (We look forward to post COVID-19 so we can get back to this part of our life!)
2. Learning New Things…Constantly
There is no shortage for learning when owning and living on a boat. There are so many systems! Septic systems, electrical, battery, structural, engines, generators and if a sailboat, all the rigging and sails. (Do you know that there are HOLES in your boat! UNDER the waterline! Talk about learning!) Remember the really cool people from number three? They are invaluable as is YouTube! As my husband says, “You should always keep learning until the day you die.” Boat life gives you ample opportunities to learn and stretch your mind. “WOW! I did that,” will start flowing from your mouth. Doing new things that you can be proud of is limitless! Learning to drive, dock, undock, and sail are more skills to learn. We highly recommend taking some good classes and learn about safety while aboard.
1. The ADVENTURES!
Our number one, hands down, best reason to live on a boat is the adventures! You get to go to extraordinary places, some only accessible by boat. There are many Washington State Parks that are available all over the Puget Sound, including the world-renowned San Juan Islands. (Hint: Buy a yearly park pass. They pay for themselves after seven nights!) We found that visiting little towns that we normally would not drive to is a blast! Finding interesting small-town shops, specialty local food shops, tasty restaurants, new artists, comfortable “local” bars, live music, breweries, wineries and distilleries make for fascinating adventures. Be sure to ask a local for what you are looking for. They usually let you in on local secrets and most often, those are NOT in the travel brochures! We have adopted this method as we travel, and some of our best experiences have been because of asking a local a simple question.
The Puget Sound and the Salish Sea have countless miles to explore. There are adorable anchorages in hidden coves, energized marinas and everything in between. The biggest question you will face is “What type of adventure am I looking for this weekend?” Do you want to try out a new brewery or do you just need some peace and tranquility and maybe a killer sunset? Maybe you are craving a lovely bay to drop in your stand-up paddleboard or kayak to get in some paddle time!
Each morning, we are greeted by the Olympic Mountains. We watch breathtaking sunsets when the weather and skies gift us one. We hear the calls of the seagulls and ducks on the breakwater and watch them float down the fairway. We greet our neighbors as we pass on the docks. Next weekend’s plans are being made… yeah, best decision ever!
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Twenty-seven minutes to paradise. That is it. Twenty-seven minutes. Okay, it’s Blake Island Marine State Park, but to us, it’s a local paradise. Your arrival at the island puts you directly into another world. You will be greeted with grazing deer, possibly a bald eagle, the sounds of birds chirping and the waves crashing over the rocks on the beach. There are families interacting and playing and the views are well, magnificent. Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? Well, it gets better!
How To Get To Blake Island
Getting to Blake Island is part of the adventure! The only way to get there is by boat. We usually take our private boat to Blake Island for what the locals call “A Blakation,” but this time we let someone else drive! If you do not own your own boat or are not lucky enough to have a friend that owns a boat, the Argosy Cruises added a fast foot ferry to their fleet last year that runs hourly from Pier 54 in Seattle, every weekend from April through October. During the summer, the ferry runs five days a week. You can purchase single round trip tickets ($29 RT), or they have a discounted five trip pass ($125) and an unlimited seasonal pass ($250). Be sure to book your roundtrip on their website!
As you depart the Pier, the view of Seattle, the Space Needle, the Great Wheel and the Seattle waterfront adds something special to the beginning of your experience. It still gets me every time and I am a local! We enjoyed every minute of the ride. The crew was fun, informative and you could tell that they love their job!
Explore The Trails
If you only have a day to spend at Blake, I highly recommend exploring the five miles of beaches and choosing any of the 8 miles of hiking trails throughout the entire island. Hint: If it has been raining, it can be extremely muddy on the island. Have appropriate footwear! If you are into mountain biking, they even have seven and a half miles of bike trails for you to traverse! There is plenty of wildlife to search for on the island including black tail deer, eagles, osprey, geese (beware of these guys during nesting season… just trust me), racoons (don’t leave ANY food out unattended!) and even river otters! There are guided nature hikes during the summer if you would like to learn more about the wildlife and plants on this amazing island. ($20 for 1.5 hours)
When it is time for a break, grab your picnic lunch and sit at a picnic table that looks south, down Puget Sound like the Tilicum Village to Mount Rainier (Tahoma). The Vashon Island ferries run right in front of the mountain presenting a perfect photo op!
What To Eat
If you do not want to bring a picnic lunch, the Longhouse Café is open on the days when the ferry is running. They offer northwest inspired light entrees, soups, salads, drinks and desserts including s’mores kits that you can roast over a fire! We shared the combo and we were blown away with how much food we received! We cannot recommend the Smoked Salmon Chowder enough! Yumm! Enjoy your meal outside where there are many options of seating, but believe me, no seat has a bad view! You might catch otters playing in the water as we did, watch boats come in and out of the marina, and you will take notice of the iconic ferries crossing the Sound all day with the Seattle skyline and the Space Needle as the gorgeous backdrop. As we relaxed there and finished up our beers, we looked at each other and just said, “We live in such an amazing place!”
What To Do
For some local history be sure to check out the Coast Salish Cultural Presentation that lasts about 60 minutes. It includes dancing, storytelling, a question-and-answer time and more. This is a fabulous opportunity to learn more about our Native Americans here in the Puget Sound. It’s available select days mid-June-September, and cost is $18. For more history, be on the lookout for the markings for the Historic Trimble Mansion Estate!
For the more active and adventurous, kayaks ($50/hour for two) and SUP’s ($25/hour) can be rented to explore around and end of the island and in the marina (June-September). Blake Island is also a great place to scuba dive. Crabbing, fishing and clamming are allowed during their seasons and with licenses. Dig some clams, start a fire and make your own clam chowder, right next to the beach! What an adventure!
To finish off your busy day, enjoy a local wine or beer tasting during the summer weekends ($20). This island REALLY does have it all!
Content and maybe tired, head back down to the marina to catch your scheduled ferry back to Seattle.
Camping
Make your adventure extra special by staying and camping for a night or two! Watching the sun set behind the Olympic Mountains on the west side is an amazing experience or seeing the city come alive with lights after dark from the southeast side is also truly a treat. The campsites like the Cascadia Marine Trail Campsites are spacious, they have a campfire ring, picnic shelters, tables and magnificent views. If you thought your sunset was amazing, wait until you see the sunrise from Blake Island! Yeah, breathtaking…
A few last things. There are restrooms on the island camping ground, both flush and vault toilets. Blake Island State Park has no garbage cans. It is a “pack in and pack out” island so all of your trash must leave with you. Please prepare for this. Be sure to thank the friendly park rangers who help keep Blake Island the kind of place you will want to return to again and again. My last tip is to book your roundtrip ferry early! They are capped right now at 17 people. Summer is going to be busy!
Blake Island Marine State Park is a gem. This is the place to create an amazing adventure for your family or friends. There is something for everyone and for every age at Blake. Start planning your adventure in one of the best Washington State Parks now!
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With starting up my photography business, editing pictures, doing photo sessions, building a website and facebook page, ordering business cards, and everything else, I have not had taken the time to go do what I love...getting my feet on some trails! With this gorgeous weather we have been having in the Seattle area, I knew I had to get out! My hiking boots have been calling to me from the corner of my room for just too many weeks! So Tuesday I got on the road by 5am to catch the sunrise on Mount Rainier! It was a GLORIOUS morning! I was the only one at Tipsoo Lake. A lovely time to soak it all in.
After Mount Rainier, I went down to Silver Falls Loop Trail. It was so good to walk, sweat, and see the beauty EVERYWHERE! This is an easy hike with so many payoffs. There are woods, creeks, blankets of green, bridges, rivers, and of course the Silver Falls. I had been here last year during the fall. Mushrooms everywhere! It was fun to go back to see everything frozen!
I hope I have inspired you to go put on your hiking boots or even your tennis shoes and go celebrate life somewhere...ANYWHERE!
For hiking ideas, I highly recommend www.wta.org . This is the wonderful Washington Trails' Association website.
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