Washington Hikes: Tubal Cain Mine

Our first hike of the new year was a memorable one, replete with snow, history, ferry rides, and a kitchy burger joint. When we took a bike trip around the lower Olympic Peninsula last fall, I pulled a number of possible hikes we could do along the way. We ultimately landed on hiking Mount Walker, …

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Opt Outside: Exploring the National Parks

Last year I asked for an annual U.S. National Parks Pass for Christmas, and it ended up being one of the most useful things I could have put on my list! I wanted to make the most out of having it. As we were plotting our travel plans for the year, we prioritized destinations where …

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2019 Travel Recap

I'm ready for 2019 to come to a close and look forward to 2020 -- the 'Roarin' 20s' of our lifetime. I'm going to be prioritizing my health, both physical and mental, time with family and friends, and new adventures in the new year and new decade. This past year has continued to impress upon …

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Washington Hikes: Wallace and Jay Lakes

Our final hike of 2019 was a doozy—12.5 miles roundtrip and just over 2,000 feet of elevation gain. After all the Christmas cookies and holiday cheer, I needed something to kick my butt and help me end the year with a bang. Our roundtrip hike to Wallace Lake and Jay Lake checked all the boxes! …

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Worldly Fare: San Fermo

One of my work colleagues lives in Queen Anne and always seems to be trying new places and doing fun things around downtown Seattle. The last few weeks he has been carrying on non-stop about an Italian restaurant he stumbled upon in Ballard called San Fermo. He took his dad there when he came out …

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Washington Hikes: Mailbox Peak

It seems like Mailbox Peak has been on our list of must-do hikes forever. We've been putting it off in part because it's a long one-- taking the New Trail puts the overall hike at just over 11 miles round trip. It's also considered a fairly tough one since you experience 5,000 feet of elevation …

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Planning to Visit Japan

We've been trying to plan a trip to Japan for several years now. This fall the stars aligned and we are actually making it happen! Brian visited Japan in 2014 for work, traveling to Tokyo, Kyoto, Utsunomiya, and Nagoya. He came back raving about the experience—the architecture, the cuisine, the hospitality, and the efficiency and …

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