It took little time after moving up here before we were told about the city of Leavenworth. Leavenworth is on the tip of every tongue when one asks a resident about “must see” spots in Washington. Watching the glow that appears in someone’s eye as they reflect on the town’s offerings is often more convincing than the stories themselves. Therefore, the question became not “if” we should visit, but rather “when.” After a bit of research, we came to the…
Washington holds so much beauty within it. It is easy to forget how close one is to all of these outdoor activities. Especially when you grew up in Southern California. There, you are forced to either: 1. drive 5+ hours away to find some solitude within nature or 2. rub shoulders with 100’s of others who are looking to capitalize on the few areas that offer some natural beauty. Even here in Washington, it is easy to fall in the…
The Puget Sound is a natural beauty, it’s shoreline adorned with unique wildlife and foliage to delight one’s eyes. A naturalists paradise, there are over 1000 square miles to explore. We have only just begun. Recently, we were given another opportunity to see more of this wondrous water. Nicole found us two tickets for a whale watching tour, via Island Adventures. We soon found ourselves in Anacortes, at the break of dawn, seeking out our first way point. We made…
After spending our past few days in the city, we wanted to do something different. So, we planned a day around scenery of a more natural variety. Nicole found two attractions that offered exactly what we wanted to see. The Zaans Schans and the Keukenhof. The Keukenhof is a monument to nature. The 79 acre park is packed from wall to wall with sights to see and things to do. The main attraction are the flower beds with tulips, roses,…
Our time in Europe was not limited to the Netherlands. We planned a day trip by train down to Antwerp, Belgium, for a day of food and sight seeing. The train we took had a breakfast service, so we spent our hour ride in comfy, crimson, cushioned chairs peering out into the passing cities as we sipped our coffee. I have a mild fascination for foreign graffiti, and the route to Antwerp did not disappoint. Walls and buildings blinked by,…
Landing in a foreign country, especially when coming by way of another foreign country, can be trying on ones sense of normal. The Icelandic airport was an oasis in the middle of nowhere, on an island unbound by time. Arriving in the bustling, bright, mile a minute city of Amsterdam was overwhelming. The airport is spotless, with a diverse offering of almost everything. Swedish treats. German snacks. Tours, flights, attractions galore. A slice of everything, both a figurative and literal…
We wanted to share one of our favorite places to visit in Washington, Deception Pass State Park. It is immensely popular as Washington’s most visited state park. At over 4,134 acres, there is plenty to see. Panoramic views, aquatic wildlife, birds playing in the turbulent wind, and all types of vessels finding their way around in the Puget Sound. The park is actually located on two islands , Fidalgo and Whidbey, which are connected by the Deception Pass bridge….
This is the final post of our Icelandic trip. If you missed the others day 1 is here and day 2 is here. A lullaby of strangers conversing around the city, accompanied by Icelandic breezes finding their way down the small streets, had Nicole and myself fast asleep after our second day. We awoke renewed, minds full of possibilities as to what more could be found in this magical country. A list of new destinations burned in our pockets. Gathering…
After a day in the city we were ready for what, to us, was the main draw; the natural wonders of Iceland. We quickly packed our rental full of food and drink from the local gas station, filled our tank, and racked up kilometers on the odometer as we roamed the highway. Within 20 minutes we were surrounded by winding streams and rolling hills, all dusted with snow. The water was clear to an extent that it was eerie. Creeks…
This is going to be the first post of 3 in a series about our visit to Iceland. Here we will cover what the city offered us, some basics about how we budgeted for the stay, and interesting notes we made to help travelers cope with differences in culture. First off, free layovers are a perfect way to break up an extended trip while also giving oneself the opportunity to see more of the world we live in. Getting a…