• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Photo Gallery
    • Media — Plays well with others
    • Privacy Policy
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Destinations
    • Pacific Northwest maps
    • Pacific Northwest travel
    • Washington State
      • Soulful travel in Seattle
      • Salish Sea
      • Cascade Mountains
      • Olympic Peninsula & Washington Coast
    • Soulful travel in Oregon
      • Portland, Oregon
      • Willamette Valley
      • Oregon Coast Towns
      • Oregon Coast
      • Central Oregon
      • Eastern Oregon
  • Travel planning & guided experiences
    • Olympic Peninsula 3-day Nature Immersion

Kessi World

Mindful travel around the Pacific Northwest.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok

Federal Way

Seattle to Portland drive — road trip planner to make the day unique

December 8, 2021 by Matthew

The St. Johns Bridge rises up toward Forest Park in Portland. There are a few cars coming and going.

Follow for unique side trip options to get off the interstate -- a Seattle to Portland drive road trip planner. My life is a tale of two cities. I was born and raised in the Portland area but my mom and a ton of family hailed from the Salish Sea, in Washington State. On Christmas Eve we'd have a celebration in my hometown of Scappoose with one side of relatives, then pile … [Read more...] about Seattle to Portland drive — road trip planner to make the day unique

What kind of ancestors do we want to be?

May 9, 2021 by Matthew

A dead miniature tree leans from out of a broken clay pot in a museum piece. The tree is white and several spindly branches line the trunk up and down.

On this Mother’s Day, among many things, I’m thankful to my mom, Maureen Kessi, for inspiring the love of nature and gardening within me — a gift that continues to provide peace, comfort, and balance in my life.  In fact, we’ve spent many Mother’s Day outings together touring local gardens and exploring flowers, ferns, and mushrooms, amongst all other organic … [Read more...] about What kind of ancestors do we want to be?

Pacific Bonsai Museum — the beautiful twisted balance of nature

May 5, 2021 by Matthew

A beautiful pink flowering azalea is in full bloom on this miniature tree at the Pacific Bonsai Museum near Seattle, Washington.

Not far away from Seattle, along the busy Interstate 5 corridor, is a peaceful 22-acres of land wedged between two frantic freeways. The location is on the historic campus of forest-products giant Weyerhaeuser, long known for their iconic vegetation-covered building that seems to flow with the contour of the evergreen space. Just as the quiet corporate building seems to blend … [Read more...] about Pacific Bonsai Museum — the beautiful twisted balance of nature

Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden — a colorful velvety hidden jewel

April 28, 2021 by Matthew

There is something so comforting about a rhododendron in bloom — as if to say “Welcome to the Pacific Northwest.” The queen of Washington State forests grows freely in the wild (Deception Pass State Park and Point Defiance Park are just two examples) as well as quintessentially included in virtually every botanical garden in the area. It makes sense that a few miles down the … [Read more...] about Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden — a colorful velvety hidden jewel

West Hylebos Wetlands Park — hidden treasure of suburban Seattle

January 13, 2021 by Matthew

The boardwalk at West Hylebos Wetlands glistens in the falling rain, surrounded by young cedar trees and brush that is dormant for Winter.

Every now and then I stumble upon a hidden gem in the Seattle area that rocks my nature-loving world. It isn't always the physical attributes as much as the spirit, or feeling I get while amidst wise old trees and densely thick ground covers that usually hold an impassioned version of the color green. My connection, or internal "pop" is what endears me to a particular place … [Read more...] about West Hylebos Wetlands Park — hidden treasure of suburban Seattle

Footer

Search the site

I would like to acknowledge that much of my inspiration comes from living on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok

Top Posts & Pages

  • How to train from Seattle to Vancouver
    How to train from Seattle to Vancouver
  • Seattle to Vancouver drive -- plan the best road trip
    Seattle to Vancouver drive -- plan the best road trip
  • Wallowa Lake Lodge -- a good night's sleep in Eastern Oregon's alpine wilderness
    Wallowa Lake Lodge -- a good night's sleep in Eastern Oregon's alpine wilderness

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in