Pacific Northwest and Beyond is a Pacific Northwest and Adventure/Activities blog but with many things BEYOND that!
We started off with the intention of being a travel blog — and we LOVE to travel — but we find that we spend more time right here in the PNW — and it’s a great place to spend time!
Alongside posts about the PNW, travel, cycling, and other activities, you’ll also find a PNW events calendar, a recipes section, articles about photography, galleries, book reviews and posts, trivia quizzes, and an “asides” section for when we want to go off-topic. We also have a “PNWWiki glossary” of PNW stuff — but also with terms related to photography.”
Continue, onward, for the latest on this site!
Find it Easier!
Recent Posts
A Curmudgeon’s Guide to the Washington State Ferry System
Are you visiting and want to know how to ride the Washington State ferries? My ferry curmudgeon says, “Don’t!” But I know you’re going to go against his advice and do it anyway, so here are some tips.
Getting Around in the PNWFerriesPacific Northwest Blog
I Visited an Owl Cafe in Tokyo…and just felt sad.
Japan is full of animal cafes — not just cat cafes but we noted otter cafes, penguin cafes, and more. We love owls, so we visited an owl cafe…but it just made me sad. Here’s more.
TravelJapanTravel Destinations
Your Guide to Washington State’s National Parks
Washington State’s national parks—Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades—offer some of the most diverse and breathtaking landscapes in the U.S. This guide provides an overview of each park’s unique features, top activities, best times to visit, and important safety tips. Discover where to hike, camp, and explore, along with tips for photography, wildlife viewing, and seasonal highlights.
Outdoor Adventures and ActitiviesPlaces to Go and Things to SeePNW Things to Do
Seattle, Puget Sound, and Western WA Holiday Events 2024
Here’s our list of holiday events to check out — near Seattle, and beyond depending what our users submit. Christmas lights, concerts, gift shows — find something to make your holidays sparkle.
EventsPNW Things to DoSeasonal ActivitiesWinter
Viewing the Autumn Salmon Run at Salmon Cascades on the Sol Duc River
Salmon Cascades on the Sol Duc river is one of the best places in Olympic National Park to view salmon during their annual Autumn migration.
Places to Go and Things to SeeAutumnOutdoor Adventures and ActitiviesPacific Northwest BlogPNW Marine LifePNW NaturePNW Things to DoSeasonal Activities
Coho Salmon Jumping; Salmon Cascades at Sol Duc
I recently went up to Salmon Cascades at Sol Duc at the tail end of the Autumn salmon migration.
Uncategorized
Recent Website Updates
Changes to login and membership functions (and new post types).
We’re revising this site yet again. Here’s what’s going on.
Recent Routes
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park in Port Townsend: A Great Bird Walk
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park in Port Townsend is a great walk — especially for birdwatching or bird photography!
bird photography spotsbird walksbirdingBirdsJefferson County birding spotsNaturenature parksnature walksOlympic Peninsula Birding SpotsPort TownsendThings to do in Port Townsend
Sandpiper Trail Walk at Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge
The Sandpiper Trail at Grays Harbor Wildlife Refuge in Hoquiam, WA is a short, easy hike and a great place for birdwatching, especially during Spring migration.
birdingeasy hikefamily-friendly hikeGrays Harbor CountyGrays Harbor National Wildlife RefugeHoquiamNature PreserveNature WalkThe Great Washington State Birding TrailThings to do in Grays Harbor CountyThings to do in the PNWWashington StatewildlifeWildlife Refuge
Poulsbo’s Fish Park: A Meander Around the Trails
Poulsbo’s Fish Park is a wonderful natural area and easy family-friendly hike in Kitsap County.
Easy HikesFamily-friendly hikesHikingKitsap hikesNaturePoulsboPoulsbo Fish ParkRoutes
Recent Places
Balnakeil Church and Cemetery
Balnakeil Church — and the adjoining Balnakeil Cemetery is worth a stop in Durness, Scotland, if you like ruins and old graveyards.
Ceannabeinne Beach and Ceannabeinne Township Trail
Ceannabeinne Beach and the adjoining Ceannabeinne Township Trail is Durness Scotland offers a lovely view to the sea.
John Lennon Memorial Garden
A lovely small park in Durness, Scotland that’s a memorial to John Lennon.
PNW Wiki
Olympic National Park
Glossary entry with information about Olympic National Park.
National ParksParks and Natural AreasPlaces
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier is the higest peak in Washington State, visible from many points in Western Washington State.
MountainsGeological FeaturesPlaces
Mount Rainier National Park
Glossary (PNWWiki) entry about Mount Rainier National Park including information, maps, and links to posts on and off of this website with information about this National Park.
National ParksParks and Natural AreasPlaces
Trivia Quizzes
How Much do You Know About Shakespeare? Trivia Quiz
How much do you know about Shakespeare? Test yourself with this 15-question quiz!
Books and Literature
Photography Terms Quiz
Test your knowledge of photography terms with this 10 question quiz. We are relocating trivia quizzes and probably will be bringing photography content back to this site, so here’s this quiz to start!
Photography
Can You Identify the Famous Landmarks (Trivia Quiz)
Can you identify where the famous landmark is located? We’re moving some quizzes from a different website and we just posted this travel-themed quiz here. Test yourself.
Travel and Places
Photography Articles
Chocolate Square Oatmeal Cookies
For the new year, I thought I’d be adding something healthy — smoothies? Salads? But, no! I’m adding this cookie recipe. This is my favorite cookie ever and have been baking it ever since my mom cut it out from somewhere. It has just the right balance between crunchy and chewy and the chocolate and pecan tops that all off!
CookiesBaked GoodsDessert
Classic Scottish Pan Shortbread Cookies
This shortbread recipe is one of the cookies I normally add to any Christmas cookie tray I make to give away — and too, too, many of them get eaten by the cook as well!
CoursesBaked GoodsCookiesCuisineDessertDietScottishTreats
Photography Articles
What is “contemplative photography”? + some books on the subject
What is contemplative photography (or mindfulphotography)? Here’s a look at the subject along with mini-reviews of a number of books that are available on the subject.
Mindful PhotographyPhotography Books
Galleries
PNW Nature
Photographs I like of PNW creatures.
Nature and WildlifeAmphibiansAnimalsBirdsBuyDownloadGallery FeaturesInsectsMarine LifePhotography Galleries
Image Search Gallery
Search images that appear in galleries on this website.
Note that this, currently, is in process as we are fixing the way we initially implemented image tagging. So, as of yet, you won’t find all images here. This search gallery will show both photographs and other image types.
Search GalleriesMulti-Content Galleries
Book Reviews and Lists
Remarkably Bright Creatures Book Review
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt, set in a fictional town a couple hours north of Seattle, is a good read if you like: books set in the PNW, the giant pacific octopus, or feel good reads. This is a brief review.
Literary FictionBook ReviewsFictionGenresLocal AuthorPNW BooksSet in the PNW
Set in Seattle: Seattle-centric books to quench your lust for the Emerald City
We just updated this one…a bit. Here are some great (or possibly great, we haven’t read all of them but we eventually want to) books set in the Emerald City.
Book ListsFictionLocal AuthorPNW BooksSet in the PNW
Asides (Off-Topic Posts)
Dear Prospective Writer: Please Check the Writer’s Guidelines Before You Pitch!
After answering 10 guest post inquiries, I just had to write this. In a nutshell: if you want to publish a guest post on a blog, there are some things you should do (this goes for getting published in a magazine as well).
Guest PostingBloggingWritingWriting Online
Puppy Metta
An essay about Buddhist metta (Lovingkindness) meditation practice and how I found the perfect first “target” to practice it upon.
BuddhismMeditation and MindfulnessReligion and SpiritualitySelf, Health, & Fitness
Sewing a Zafu
This post is an image with instructions on how to sew a Zafu that I saved long ago. It is not a pattern and calls on you to cut your own out of paper. But it’s what I used, for a long time, to sew zafus.
SewingArts and CraftsBuddhismMeditation and Mindfulness
Upcoming Events
The grid below shows the next 12 events listed on our calendar. For more events or to search events, visit the calendar page.
In the Shop
Washington State Walla Walla Ferry Sticker
We love this Washington State Ferry sticker. It’s especially applicable if you’re a regular rider of the Walla Walla that typically runs the route between Seattle and Bremerton.
Stickers and Decals
Groups
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