Pacific Northwest (5)

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Located in south central Washington state and only a few hours from Seattle or Portland, Yakima Valley is a vibrant wine growing region and home to over 100 wineries.  About one-third of the state’s wine grapes are grown in the Yakima Valley AVA.  As a member of the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association, I had the privilege to sample a Cabernet Frac wine from Dineen Vineyards, while participating in a webinar sponsored by Adam Stewart, Yakima Valley Tourism; Marissa Dineen

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If you ever saw the comedy series Portlandia, which ran from 2011 to 2018, you know this city of 653,000 (metro area 2.1 million) is bike-friendly and full of food carts/trucks, indie bookstores, farm-to-table restaurants, an embarrassing number of coffee shops - and has a certain quirkiness to it (a popular local slogan goes: "Keep Portland Weird"). Most of these characterizations are pretty accurate. However, it's also a city that boasts more than 150 parks, including the largest forested pa

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Top 10 Musts to Visit in Washington State

Washington State is a treasure trove of natural wonders, vibrant cities, and cultural landmarks, offering an array of unforgettable travel destinations. From the majestic peaks of the Cascade Range to the bustling streets of Seattle, here are the top 10 places to visit in Washington.

Seattle:

Known as the Emerald City, Seattle is a dynamic metropolis nestled between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. Explore iconic landmarks like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, where you can sample f

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5 Top Washington State Spots for Camping & Hiking

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With lush landscapes characterized by forests, deep fjords, and numerous lakes, Washington State the most northernly state in the continental US, and boasts some of the country's most scenic parks. 

(Some of the hiking in these parks is quite remote. I would highly recommend using a GPS device or a hiking watch that has GPS so you don’t get lost. If you plan on camping in the parks, keep in mind there are few if any facilities and you will need to bring in your own shelter. I would re

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9008739496?profile=originalRoute map through the Canadian Southern Gulf Islands and the San Juan Islands of Washington.
(map modified from the original on Wiki Commons)

 

I went to one of the top 1,000 places to see before dying. As I keep coming back, there are probably still 999 to go. Seeing the San Juan Islands of Washington automatically includes memorable activities such as sighting eagles, fishing, crabbing, beach walking, nature parks, sailing, kayaking… you get the idea. What I like to do in the San Juan Islands

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