The Magical Diversity of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula

We started our week on Washington's Olympic Peninsula in Forks, WA, a hamlet on the Olympic Highway, which is famous in some circles for the steamy vampire romance series, "Twilight," which is a series of both books and films, all set in Forks. In the early days when Twilight was new, it wasn't unusual to … Continue reading The Magical Diversity of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula

The Elusive Mount Ranier

On our last evening in Seattle, we walked two blocks from our vacation rental to Kerry Park, a popular gathering place for viewing the Seattle skyline. We had walked there previously, but the sky had never been clear enough to see beyond downtown, or, more specifically, to be able to see Mount Ranier looming in … Continue reading The Elusive Mount Ranier

The Oregon Coast, Yachats, and Yachats Revisted

I considered naming this post "Dodging wildfires on the Pacific Coast," or "A really unfortunate detour," but those sound so alarmist, sad, and, well, dangerous, which misses that we really had a good time on the Oregon Coast, and in the California Redwoods. Well, we mostly had a good time. All except for the unfortunate … Continue reading The Oregon Coast, Yachats, and Yachats Revisted

Charming Astoria, Oregon

We began our visit to the Oregon Coast at the northernmost point of U.S. Highway 101 in Oregon, and that is the quaint and historic town of Astoria. Astoria sits at the mouth of the Columbia River and is known for quite a bit, including its history as the oldest city in Oregon, being founded … Continue reading Charming Astoria, Oregon

Exploring the Freedom to be Peculiar in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood

It started with the Fremont Troll. I saw a picture and description and knew it was going on the agenda for our time in Seattle. The cool thing about these Roadside America oddities is that you never know where they will lead. A few years ago, a stop off the highway to see the World’s … Continue reading Exploring the Freedom to be Peculiar in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood

A Long-Awaited Pilgrimage to Spoleto USA in Charleston, SC

Perhaps you don't know about the Spoleto USA Festival held in Charleston, SC. For nearly 50 years now, every spring, the city of Charleston comes alive for 17 days with more than 100 performing arts programs of all types, from all over the world, held all over the city in theaters and churches. Spoleto was … Continue reading A Long-Awaited Pilgrimage to Spoleto USA in Charleston, SC

Relaxing days in the Conch Republic: Key West, Florida

Tropical garden at the Audubon House In our first 24 hours in Key West, we visited a place called The Audubon House that Audubon never lived in or even visited, went to Mallory Square for a fabled sunset celebration known for its street performers, including jugglers, clowns, psychics, artists, and musicians, that was, in reality, … Continue reading Relaxing days in the Conch Republic: Key West, Florida

Nothin’ could be finer: A dog’s life in North Carolina

We are at the beach house of our friends Larry and Laurie. They are in Italy for two weeks visiting their son, who works in Rome, and touring the country. We are here caring for their sweet, easygoing pup, Banjo. The house is on Oak Island, a barrier island in the Brunswick beaches off the … Continue reading Nothin’ could be finer: A dog’s life in North Carolina

Badlands National Park: A Western Wonderland

Before reaching Badlands National Park, I had doubts as to whether it would be worth the time and effort to stop there. We had already seen and done so much on this trip, much of it in the same region as Badlands NP, including Theodore Roosevelt National Park with its Badlands and petrified forest, the … Continue reading Badlands National Park: A Western Wonderland

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Devil’s Tower, and the Black Hills

A unique feature of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is that it is comprised of two separate units that are 70 miles apart, posing challenges to a visitor. We first spent a day in the less-visited North Unit where took a ranger hike that focused on the geology and wildlife in the area, followed by the … Continue reading Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Devil’s Tower, and the Black Hills