Places

This is a map of various locations we've featured in our posts or wanted to draw attention to for some other reason. Looking for routes? You can find them on our routes page.
Displaying 10 of 75 locations.
November 3, 2023

Turtleback Mountain South Trailhead

Turtleback Mountain is a great place to hike and bird watch. The South trail is pedestrian-only. Take the hike up from here to Ship's Peak for a great view -- and great views on the way as well. Be prepared to stop and enjoy.
2267 Deer Harbor Rd, Eastsound, WA 98245, USA
Eastsound
98245
(0)
December 5, 2023

Smith Island

Small island is about five miles off the west coast of Whidbey Island. Smith Island is a protected aquatic reserve. boats must keep a certain distance from shore to protect the wildlife there.

Notable species found here are tufted puffins, rhinocerous auklets, rockfish and bull kelp. But you might also see harbor seals and sea lions on shore, cormorants, and glaucous wing gulls.
8595+J5 Ault Field, WA, USA
(0)
October 30, 2023

Oscar the Bird King

Oscar the Bird King is a whimsical wood troll sculpture by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. He stands near the Point Robinson Lighthouse on Vashon Island.
3808 SW Point Robinson Rd, Vashon, WA 98070, USA
Vashon
98070
(0)
November 30, 2023

Nelson's Duckpond and Lavender Farm

Nelson's Duckpond offers a tranquil spot to sit and gaze at the feature that gave this farm its name. Across the pond, a large, friendly red barn offers additional charm. If you're there during the festival, look for Tilly's Lavender Lemonade stand.

They also have lodging there if you need a place to stay while you're in Sequim.
383 Humble Hill Rd, Sequim, WA 98382, USA
Sequim
98382
Categories:
(0)
November 3, 2023

Mount Constitution

Mount Constitution is in Moran State Park. There's a hiking trail up the mountain, but there's also a road. At the top you'll find a stone tower which offers stunning views -- particularly at sunset, though the park closes at dusk.
4234 Mt Constitution Rd, Olga, WA 98279, USA
Olga
98279
(0)
October 12, 2023

Underground Hygge: The Hobbit House in Orondo

Of the Washington State Hobbit Houses listed in this post, this is the winner for most-Hobbitish. Nestled in the hillsides of Orondo, WA, overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, it’s extremely private and has all the right features for living as a Hobbit…
We wrote more about it in this post and this post.
294 Mountain Spg Rd, Orondo, WA 98843, USA
Orondo
98843
(0)
October 18, 2023

The Gnome House

This hobbit-y or gnomish? dwelling is in Eastsound, WA.
65 Harbor View Ln, Eastsound, WA 98245, USA
Eastsound
98245
(0)
October 18, 2023

The Forest House

This charming dwelling is, perhaps, more like Rivendell than the Shire, but it was formerly called "The Hobbit House" and has many features a halfling (or even a full-size-ling) might love. The location here is approximate to avoid gawkers.
2531 Raccoon Point Rd, Eastsound, WA 98245, USA
Eastsound
98245
(0)
October 24, 2023

Animate Kyoto

This is a manga and anime store in Kyoto.
Japan, 〒604-8046 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Higashigawachō, 525−1 京都吉本ビルパッサージオ3階・5階
Kyoto
604-8046
(0)
October 24, 2023

Donguri Kyouwakoku

This is one of two Studio Ghibli shops in Kyoto. If you love Miyazaki movies you'll want to visit.
2-chōme-224 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
Kyoto
605-0862
(0)

26 thoughts on “Places”

  1. I’m not adding this to the main post as it’s not in Washington State…but I’m hoping to get going with my rooftop tent this summer and take a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway…we’ll see. If I do, I may need to take a brief detour to visit this little Hobbit hole that I found in Northern California. It’s tiny at 300 feet…but the toadstool in front is a nice touch 🙂

    Reply
  2. I don’t have any walking issues but I love trekking poles! So good for balance and stability. I’d always use two over one, as that way both sides are balanced. Once you get into a rhythm they also provide a good workout because of the muscles you use with them, so I definitely think they’re worth it (and that’s a good case for using two – you don’t want mismatched sides)

    Reply
    • Thanks for supporting my cause! Yes, I think they add to the workout — they give my upper body a bit extra when I use them (and it needs it!)

      Reply
  3. Hi! I know some visitors here have been following comment updates on this post. I just realized that logged out users were being challenged by a CAPTCHA that was impossible to capture! That’s been fixed, and the persons responsible have been sacked (not really, because that would mean…me).

    Anyways, comments are working again if you feel like leaving a comment. If I find any more hobbit houses around here, I’ll add another one myself. I am planning a hobbit house visit myself in August, and, if that actually happens (it seems like I’ve had a confluence of events that seem determined to disrupt my plans), I will post an update.

    Thanks!

    Reply
  4. It’s too bad we were not able to get this in the article but this Thursday, Friday & Saturday (15th, 16th & 17th) and the following Thursday, Friday & Saturday (22nd, 23rd & 24th) there are free performances of “William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged).” It’s a hilarious performance of young Shakespeare’s first attempt at a very very very long play.

    Tickets are FREE. Show is at the City of Shoreline City Hall. Starts at 7 p.m. Due to content, rated PG-13. Would love to have you.

    Reply
  5. The close-ups are helpful, thanks. But you have only fourteen kings listed here, not fifteen. I think it’s Stephen that you’re missing, after Henry I.

    Reply
    • You’re right! How did I miss him? Thank you for pointing that out. I’m sure I have the picture in my collection somewhere. I’ll edit it as soon as I get the opportunity.

      Reply
  6. What a lovely post, Cheryl! Really enjoyed reading about these famous graves, Chief Sealth, in particular. We haven’t been to Seattle in a long time. When we revisit, would love to add these destinations. Glad we found your blog! Will check other posts as well!!
    By the way, fantastic site design!!!

    Reply
    • Thank you so much! I love visiting cemeteries — in Europe in particular, where there are much older graves. So you’re from the Bay Area? What cemeteries would you visit there? I just passed through SF this summer, but didn’t stop at any cemeteries in CA except for the one in Ferndale.

      Reply
  7. I was searching for Halloween stuff and happily came across your blog. I’m from Seattle and I love reading local blogs. Your cemetaries post really struck me. About 10-15 years ago, I went “ghost-hunting” with a friend who was involved with a group of ghost hunters. We went to a small, forgotten cemetary in Renton that had been recently discovered by Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts got permission from the city to clean up the cemetary and my friend’s group was able to get the key to the gates from the scouts (and permission to go into the place at night and hunt ghosts). I’m not really a skeptic, but I felt that this group of about 30 people were more interested in being scared then really exploring. We went at night (of course) and it was spooky – especially in one specific area of the cemetary. The cemetary had been overgrown with vegetation from 100+ years of neglect. The scouts had just started weeding and clearing away bushes all around the cemetary. The clean up was still in progress when we chose to visit; the scouts had just discovered the cemetary a few weeks before.

    It’s important to note that at the time this cemetary was in use there was a very prominent family in Renton with the last name “Monster”. You can still see that surname in and around Renton to this day. It’s also important to note that at this time (the tombstones had dates from the 1800s) families often did not name their children until they were several months old; life was harder then and the weak often didn’t survive. So when these babies died, their tombstones were engraved with “Baby” plus the last name. You can probably see where I’m going with this.

    So in this little fenced off part of the cemetary the wealthy Monster family had their graves, separated from the other tombstones. There is one headstone engraved with “Baby Monster” and it just pulls at your heart strings. The cemetary is named Saar Pioneer Cemetary – I don’t know if that’s the original name or if it was renamed after rediscovery. Because of your interest in cemetaries and because you live locally, I realize you may be familiar with this story. But I thought I’d share it with you anyway. If you aren’t familiar with this story but are interested, in the age of social media you can find many pictures and stories online of Baby Monster.

    Reply
    • Thank you for telling me about this ! No, this is a first for me; I’ve never visited Saar Pioneer Cemetery. I will definitely need to visit this cemetery next time I’m in Renton.

      Reply
  8. Just a note: I realized after I wrote this that my daughter referred to MrCheckedBaggage in her text, implying that she did NOT go carry-on only. She intended to and Chester did, in fact, fit in the overhead bin just fine, but MrCheckedBaggage, a large suitcase, ended up accompanying them on their trip so she could take things her friend in France needed and also bring things home for her (along with some very nice gifts.)

    Reply
    • I had a great time — very cold and rainy when I was there, but I was prepared! And, yes…very busy. I was there over a bank holiday weekend and it seems everyone goes to York to party.

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    • Yeah, I like messing around with video, but I don’t necessarily putting my face and voice on things. I plan to do more video posts in the future…I just may not be in them as much as possible! ?

      Reply
  9. Love reading about visitors’ experiences at Stonehenge! Always new things to discover and see this one-of-a kind adventure through other people eyes! Now wish we visited Woodhenge and Old Sarum during our tip to Stonehenge as well!

    Reply
  10. There are 2 issues I have found after 2 years of using the Pro 2-3 time a week with carbon kayaks. First, the cheap material between each bar flattens and then your kayak is pressing on metal. Second, if you kayak rests on the two humps near where the pistons are they will dent your boat.

    Reply
    • Thanks, and good point! I’ve only been using the Hullavator with rotomolded plastic and thermoform kayaks and, so far, haven’t had issues. But I’m not a 2-3 times a week kayaker! For me, it was the easiest way I found to take the kayak out on my own.

      Reply

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