TRAVELS NEAR AND FAR
Each year, usually in March, I get fed up with winter
BY ROGER URBANIAK | March 30, 2022 at 8:01 a.m.
5 Staycation Ideas
Looking for a vacation close to home? Washington State Parks offers these five ideas for making memories
Embrace your inner child at the Museum of Ice Cream
New York City has museums galore, focusing on everything from art and science to history and space, as well as niche specialties such as digital and film media, transit, Jewish heritage, Latino culture, and even a spy museum devoted to exploring your own superhero powers. With nearly a hundred museums …
Woodinville Wine Country crushes it!
Years ago, when I lived in Woodinville, Washington there was only one winery – Chateau Ste. Michelle. Built in the French chateau style and set amid lush grounds, it was (and still is) the grand dame of Woodinville. A visit to this “queen” for wine tours and tastings transported me …
Olympic Sculpture Park
The Olympic Sculpture Park has been a Seattle icon since 2007. The park, which is operated by the Seattle Art Museum, was formerly an industrial site before the museum proposed to transform it into an elegant green space
Picturesque Wallace Falls
Wallace Falls, located within Wallace Falls State Park, is a good choice for a moderate hike that can be done year-round
Escape the crowds and head to the quiet side of the Grand Canyon
If you’re a first-time visitor to the Grand Canyon, you’ll most likely go to the South Rim. With its iconic images, large viewing areas and plenty of services, this is the more popular side of the canyon. But, if you’ve already been there, done that, and want more of this …
Elevate your senses on the Sandia Peak Tram
I love a view, anytime, anywhere. I make it a point to seek out opportunities to soar above the landscape, whether in a hot air balloon, on a zipline, in a small sightseeing plane or helicopter, or on a gondola. There’s something magical about having the vantage point of a …
Take an artful stroll through Tigard
Oregon’s Tualatin Valley is home to award-winning wineries and craft breweries, scenic wildlife preserves and parks, an array of outdoor recreation activities, world-class golf courses and plenty of dining options, not to mention tax-free shopping. The valley, which is located southwest of Portland, is also a mecca for artists, whose …
Quirky, cool and authentic – that’s Astoria!
If you’re a movie buff, put Astoria, Oregon on your list. This Columbia River port town, where grit meets hip, has often been referred to as “Hollywood North.” Though it was “The Goonies,” the cult classic that put the city on the map back in 1985, there have been a …
Soak up the coastal Maine vibe in Portland
It’s lobstah, not lobster, when you’re in Maine. That’s the first thing you learn upon boarding the Lucky Catch trawler. But it will certainly not be the last, as by the time your excursion is over, you’ll be a font of knowledge about this notable crustacean. Taking a trip with …
Captivated by Camden
It was a rainy fall day in Camden, but that did little to mar the allure of this charming Maine town. In fact, the weather added to the ambiance of the place, giving it a moody cast, which only served to enhance its beauty. Situated on Penobscot Bay, Camden offers …
Hot stones and high tea at Los Poblanos
I know a massage is effective when I realize I’m drooling. That’s my indication that the treatment is working towards its aim of achieving a state of relaxation, while helping to relieve tension and sore muscles. My most recent massage, however, went above and beyond the norm, as this time …
You'll fall hard for Boothbay Harbor
I’m on a treasure hunt for trolls at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine. Yes, trolls – five mammoth-sized creatures who want to impart lessons they’ve learned about trees to all who find them. And they’re located deep in the forest, reached by a series of trails within …
