The pandemic has been pretty good to mileage balances with airline plans, especially if you use a loyalty credit card and have still been spending money on Amazon during the pandemic. While it might still be too soon to cash in six figures of points — and many exotic locations are still not available — there are several ways to whet your travel appetite and gently dip your toes … [Read more...] about 7 innovative ways to use your gazillion Alaska Airlines miles
Day Trip
Bloedel Reserve — the best of Bainbridge Island day trip bliss
The Bloedel Reserve, just minutes away from Seattle on scenic Bainbridge Island, is cotton candy for even the untrained nature enthusiast. Recognized as one of the best gardens in North America, the experience is that of a magic carpet ride of green hues and textures — any time of year. Let the botanical adventure unfold while following the winding trail of wood chips. The two … [Read more...] about Bloedel Reserve — the best of Bainbridge Island day trip bliss
All you need to navigate the Washington State ferries
Water is a way of life in the Pacific Northwest. From the vast Pacific Ocean to the resource-rich Salish Sea, our world is cleansed with the daily tides that bring in life and wash away the rest. In the early days, before roads dissected the lands around Washington State, hundreds of small boats known as “Mosquito Fleet” dotted the salty waterways, transporting people and goods … [Read more...] about All you need to navigate the Washington State ferries
Lumberjack road trip to timber rich Vernonia and rural environs
Columbia County is a quiet area of Oregon located north of popular Portland. The population is just over 50,000 people, who mostly live in small towns lining the mighty Columbia River. This includes my hometown of Scappoose -- now considered a bedroom community of Portland due to the convenient location on a beautifully scenic and easy highway only 15 miles away. This … [Read more...] about Lumberjack road trip to timber rich Vernonia and rural environs
Nisqually Wildlife Refuge — remarkable day access to nature’s balance
The Puget Sound is a commanding body of water that encapsulates a rich diversity of plants, trees, animals and interesting nooks and crannies -- all changing with the rise and fall of the daily tides. Where high tide exudes a water world of salty goodness, the low water mark reveals the underwater secrets -- uncovering giant kelp beds, mud flats and mollusks bathing in the … [Read more...] about Nisqually Wildlife Refuge — remarkable day access to nature’s balance
