If celebrity burials are your thing, the number of Seattle’s famous dead denizens does come close to rivaling many larger, and older, cities. But we do have a few here, and they’re worth visiting if you like cemeteries. Here’s more about where to find the graves of Bruce and Brandon Lee, Jimi Hendrix, and Chief Sealth (Seattle), along with a listing of a few others with a more local claim to fame.
The Kirkmichael Trust Cemetery in the Scottish highlands has done some serious restoration work, bringing old medieval tombstones into a restored church building for preservation and display. The stones outside, as well as the small mausoleum, are also worth a visit if you like old cemeteries — its just a bit off the main itinerary for your North Coast 500 road trip.
I haven’t updated this post for 2021, and, at this point, am not sure if I will get around to it due to life events and changes on this website. Look for future posts with holiday event, though!
In Orondo, Washington, near the Columbia River Gorge, there exists a charming hobbit house built into the hillside. We finally got to stay there for a few nights! Here’s a review with a brief video, and some things to know before you go there.
We attended THING, Adam Zack’s (of Sasquatch! fame) new multidisciplinary music and arts festival at Fort Worden in Port Townsend. It included a varied lineup of entertainment and was worthwhile overall, with, we think a few learning experiences for next year if there is another THING coming.
I spent two and a half weeks on the road with a rooftop tent. Here’s a general review with some things to think about if you’re considering buying a rooftop tent.
I’m from Seattle, where there seems to be a Starbucks on every corner. So when travel, I tend keep away. But I’m glad I ended up going into the Gion Starbucks in Kyoto — it’s a different world than your average Starbucks.
I guess the Thule Hullavator is like an elevator, only for your hull (of your kayak). I’ve used the Hullavator for a few years now — overall it’s a nice piece of gear and lets me schlep my kayak around solo. But it does have a few drawbacks as well. Here’s what I think, with a video demo.
Tokyo, of course, is known for its Anime, Manga, pop culture — but what about Kyoto? When I toted my Anime-loving daughter along to Kyoto, I was worried that she would simply hang out at the AirBNB which, largely, she did. But we did find some loosely “Otaku” things to do in Kyoto (my daughter’s objection to the term duly noted).
Looking for info about days gone by in Seattle? Here are eight online resources to soothe your retro Seattle soul, including groups, archives of historic Seattle photos, and other resources.
I learned about the Japanese fish-shaped waffles from my daughter who loves Japanese sweets. But when our go-to Seattle taiyaki place disappeared, a search ensued to find out where to get the best taiyaki in Seattle.
My husband and I were arguing about the merits of one trekking pole vs. two. So what is the right answer? I did my own subjective research. Here are some of the reasons to use poles at all and the advantages of using one or two poles.
When you think of the Arashiyama area of Kyoto, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the Sagano Bamboo Forest. But there’s so much more to do in this beautiful area of Kyoto. Plan to spend at least a day here — here are some of the many things to do to make the most of your day in the area.
Guillemot Cove Nature Preserve is one of my favorite Kitsap County day hikes, and great for kids (at least kids who will tolerate the uphill trek back from the beach). While you’re there, visit the Stump House which (legend has it) was a hideout for an outlaw in the 1800s and would have been my clubhouse as a kid if it had been in my neighborhood.
While I was visiting a temple in Kyoto, I heard someone repeating “this is the heart of Zen.” Kyoto is, at least, the center of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism and there were far more temples than I could visit during my time there. Here are ten that I visited from the highly touristed to the more remote.
Obstruction Island just off the southeast part of Orcas Island is a good place for beginner-intermediate kayakers to paddle without being carried away by currents. Here’s more about this satisfying island circumnavigation paddle.
Visiting the whimsical Ghibli Museum is a must-do in Tokyo if you’re a fan of the animation of Hayao Miyazaki. But getting tickets can be a bit challenging and confusing for foreign visitors. Here’s what you need to know about the museum, including getting tickets and getting there.
Budding wizards (or muggle Harry Potter fans) probably already know about this London gallery. But if not, read on. MinaLima designed all the graphics for the Wizarding World of JK Rowling films. The gallery is an amazing collection of art, and Harry Potter ephemera.
York is a charming medieval walled city filled with history — but there’s much to do here, as well, for the train lover, the chocolate lover, the ghost whisperer, or the pub crawler. Here are some of the best things to do in York, UK, along with a resource list.
The Kings’ Screen (the choir screen separating the choir from the nave) at York Minster Cathedral features fifteen kings ranging from William the Conqueror to Henry IV. Let’s take it king by king! Here’s a brief photo guide to the kings from left to right.
If you’re a city dweller who needs a brief escape but doesn’t have the time for an extended getaway, it’s possible to find little waterfront hideaways near Seattle that can allow you to get away from it all without getting too far away from it all. We stayed at this small cabin on Meydenbauer Bay in Medina (graciously loaned to us for an overnight). Read on about this cabin as well as some other near-city hideaways to add to my escape list from cabins to Seattle houseboats that you can rent.
If you want to explore times of yore (sorry about the rhyme), head to Port Townsend for their annual Victorian Festival. We did in 2018 and encountered many a thing, including frightening(ly beautiful) ball gowns, tintype photography, and ghost stories.
While there are many great views of Paris, Monparnasse Tower has to be the winner for the title THE Best View of Paris! Here’s Why.
We visited the Nelson Treehouse Company’s B&B Treehouse point, along with a couple of other in-the-tree locations (the Forest House, Free Spirit Spheres, and — at least in spirit — the treehouse at Doe Bay) in the Pacific Northwest. Here’s a lowdown on getting high (up in the trees at least) along with a listing of other treehouses in the PNW you can rent.
I won’t be seeing the Rolling Stones in Seattle this spring, but I DID finally get to visit the original STANDING stones last spring. Here are some highlights on my journey and some tips for visiting Stonehenge.
