North Cascades National Park
This is a map page with the North Cascades National Park location of the West Entrance to the park. For more information about the park, you can also visit our Glossary page entry on the park.
North Cascades National Park is one of three National Parks in Washington State (along with Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park).
It's about two hours drive North of Seattle.
The map on this page is to the West entrance of the park, off Hwy 20.
Note that the most recent policy just states that ebikes are allowed, you should check their website for any updates. There are a few places in the park where ebikes are NOT allowed.
Note that while we added "pets on leash OK" here, you should check their website here for specifics as they are only allowed in certain areas of the park. Service animals, of course, are allowed.
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is located on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State and is a wonderful area featuring coastlines, rainforests, and lots of outdoor recreational opportunities.
Mount Rainier National Park
For additional information, maps, and recommended resources, please visit our PNWWiki glossary page about Mount Rainier National Park and Mount Rainier.
Mount Rainier National Park is one of three National Parks in Washington State (along with North Cascades National Park and Olympic National Park).
It includes both Mount Rainier and a great deal of surrounding land.
For additional information, please visit our PNWWiki glossary page about Mount Rainier National Park and Mount Rainier.
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 🙂
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)
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!)
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!
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.
Sounds great! Not sure I’ll be able to make it to the performance but I could add it to the event calendar when I’m back in town .
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.
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.
OK, I found the missing photo of Stephen and added him in with the rest. Thanks!
Just an update, as I realize some people are subscribing to comments on this post. I finally was able to visit the Hobbit Inn in Orondo (“Underground Hygge” and wrote a post about it! Click here to read the post.
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!!!
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.
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.)
I LOVE the carved heads in the cathedral! It’s such a stunning Cathedral. I absolutely love York but it’s quite a busy city! Looks like you had a blast!
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.
Great tips! I’ve always wanted to do vlogging but I am kinda shy to do it. Maybe one day!
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! ?
I love this post! So refreshingly different from anything else I’ve read today 🙂
MB | https://www.megbeth.travel.blog
Thank you! It makes my day to hear that! I’m glad you liked it. I love these books. ✨
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Good Effort here is a recommendation about the buying guide of the hammocks and camping. before purchasing any kind hammock just go through this guide once.
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!
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.
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.
I believe you have the wrong date. I believe Viking Tour 2024 is on May 19.
Thanks for noticing the error. I’ve fixed it.
Now, actually, they’ve changed the date to June 15 and the location to Waterfront Park so that cyclist don’t have to contend with the traffic that Viking Fest brings.
Wow, it is uncanny how this trip overview mirrors a fall cruise we have coming up — same cruise, including the three-day extension at the start. We would also describe ourselves as introverts.
We also will be first-timers who have always preferred self-planned trips and have similar concerns about being on Viking’s agenda. We are getting older and unpacking>touring>repacking>relocating… repeat, repeat, repeat is getting harder. So, we thought we’d try another style of travel.
Based on this overview of pros and cons, I won’t be surprised if we too ultimately consider this a life list item checked off and go back to something closer to what we have always done: do our own thing. We’ll see.
Thanks for this. It was very meaningful for us.
Hi David,
Thanks for the nice feedback!
We enjoyed many aspects of our trip — my husband really would like to do one again. For me, I have other things on my life list — though I’d love to be able to do their Antarctica cruise! Have a great time on your trip!
Pompeii on Elliot Bay was actually made by Tyler Johnson. Ed Tis was the cameraman.
Thanks for pointing that out!
Hey, so this is definitely not overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. The Columbia River Gorge is a specific section of the Columbia River where it flows on the Southwestern edge of Washington…
It’s overlooking the Columbia River, but not the Gorge.
Thanks for pointing this out. I stand corrected and have corrected the post.
Jeez, but I’ve searched for some mention of “Pompeii on Elliot Bay” on the internet for years. I started at UW starting in 1972 after having move to Seattle for college. I was in Terry Hall and have no idea how I actually saw this gem but two parts are emblazoned in my memory.
Cheese Whiz (ie cheese in a pressurized can like whipped cream)… future archeologists theorized that, given the instability of weather in the PNW, cheese in a can was invented to speed the process of picnicking because the heavens could open at any moment so cheese and crackers had to happen quickly.
The second topic was child discipline machines. (Camera shows children on Seattle Center amusement park rides screaming) “In this barbaric time, unruly children were strapped into machines of discipline until they learned his to behave.”
Last very tentative memory was the moment of eruption where a fake manhole pops out of the street in a small jet of steam.
I hope it’s available some day. It’s a gem.
I hope so, too! I regret that for a while it WAS available from the station and I was going to get it for my husband as a holiday gift. But I didn’t and the next time I checked they said they were changing their archives and didn’t know if or when it would be available again. That was a while back, so I might put checking on it on my to-do list.
Very helpful information. TFS
This is a great resource for bird enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest! The variety of festivals listed is impressive, and I appreciate the inclusion of both beginner and photography-focused events.
I’m particularly interested in attending a festival that offers field trips. Do any of the festivals you mentioned typically offer trips to wildlife refuges or other prime birding locations?
Hi Richard, and thanks.
Typically, most birding festivals I’ve enountered include some field trips to local birding spots. These can range from free, simple bird walks to more pricey cruises. The best thing to do is to check the website for the birding festival that you are interested in and view their schedule of events.
Visited on 10/29/2024. Birds noted: hooded mergansers, widgeon, belted kingfisher, mallards, great blue heron, sparrow — and what I think were bushtits…but I’m not sure. There were a bunch of tiny birds in a bush that I could not photograph.
This is an author rating! I much prefer this cider to the packages of “spiced cider” — though they’re more convenient. Yummy with a touch of rum!
This is the author rating! Don’t want to give all of my recipes a 5. This is the way I generally make shortbread and it tastes great. My only difficulty is that I walk a fine line between getting them a bit too brown. I’d prefer a cookie that was a bit lighter like the shortbread you buy at the store. Still, a great cookie.
Leavenworth Spring Bird Festival 5/15-18. At Wenatchee River Institute facilities in Leavenworth
Sorry about the delay in approving this comment. It’s on the calendar currently! But I noted the change in location from what I had left over from last year’s listing and edited it appropriately.
Nice Tshirt
Actually I’m just testing out how these reviews are working!
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Love the color
Just adding this to get started as an initial rating is required. I like the retro color of this map. Have this? Leave a review of your own!
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We enjoyed our stay at Smoo Lodge while we were there! Just posting this, really, to test the comments review template here.
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