Welcome to Pacific Northwest and Beyond !
Pacific Northwest and Beyond is a Pacific Northwest and Travel blog with a small, locally-focused events calendar and local routes.
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Washington State
Three Washington State Spots to Soothe Your Hobbit Soul
Pining for the Shire? Here are a few places to visit to quell your hobbity cravings in Washington State without visiting Middle Earth (or at least New Zealand).
Fairs and Festivals
The Art Cars of the Seattle Fremont Fair
Every year strange creations on wheels show up at the Fremont Fair in June. Here are favorite Seattle art cars from the 2018 event.
Fairs and Festivals
Going Victorian in Port Townsend
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.
Japan
Visiting the Gion Kyoto Starbucks
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.
Asia
The Cutest Little Cream Puffs in Tokyo
Toyko (and much of Japan, for that matter) is a great place to find kawaii (cute) desserts! If you're a Studio Ghibli fan visiting Toyko, you might find these cream puffs a little too cute to eat! Here's more about visiting Shirohige's Cream Puff Factory.
This is Home!
Pacific Northwest and Beyond started out as a local blog. No! Wait! A travel blog. No! Both!
Ultimately, it's a blog about places -- primarily in the Pacific Northwest and. sometimes, beyond. About ways to explore those places -- by foot, bike. About local events and things to do and routes.
COVID-19 made a bit change for us, as it did for everyone, and it will likely permanently change the way I travel. Luckily, I live in a beautiful area of the world that I look forward to getting back out and exploring.
Pacific Northwest
King County
The Drone Video of the Capitol Hill Black Lives...
An photographer took an overhead drone photo of the Black Lives Matter mural in Seattle's CHAZ. I thought it was worth a post.
Cycling
Snoqualmie Bike Ride: Remlinger and Back
I cycled this route years ago, and intended to write about it at that time. A few things may have changed since then, but it remains a good cycling route with a good stop at Remlinger Farms at the mid-point (when they reopen), This route is also my first go-round with adding route sharing capacity. If you have a route you'd like to share with readers, you can do it!
Seattle Vintage
Seattle as it Will Never Be: Remembering Pompeii on...
This "Seattle Vintage" post is husband's recollection of a funny short film from the 1970s which followed archaeologists excavating the remains of the ancient city of Seattle after an eruption of Mount Rainier. This is mixed in with my own memories of the now-long-gone Seattle Center Fun Forest.
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Bainbridge Island
Halls Hill Lookout: Bainbridge Island’s Mosaic Labyrinth
This beautiful mosaic labyrinth sits on a wooded park overlooking the water on Bainbridge Island, WA.
Washington State
Three Washington State Spots to Soothe Your Hobbit Soul
Pining for the Shire? Here are a few places to visit to quell your hobbity cravings in Washington State without visiting Middle Earth (or at least New Zealand).
Bookstores
Books and Boats! The unique beauty of Venice’s Libreria...
Read more about this beautiful and unique Venice bookstore that has its books in gondolas and other boats due to Venice's rising water level.
Paddling
Thule Hullavator Demo and Review
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.
British Columbia
In the Trees: Your PNW Treehouse Bucket List
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.
Fairs and Festivals
The Art Cars of the Seattle Fremont Fair
Every year strange creations on wheels show up at the Fremont Fair in June. Here are favorite Seattle art cars from the 2018 event.
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Travel
Europe
48 Hours in Santiago de Compostela: See, Do, Eat
Santiago de Compostela is a fascinating town with a rich history visited each year by the many pilgrims who come to walk the Camino de Santiago.
Here are the best things to do if you have 48 hours to spend in this Spanish town.
Here are the best things to do if you have 48 hours to spend in this Spanish town.
Europe
Marie Antoinette. Peasant.
On the grounds of Versailles, away from the palace, and away from her house on the grounds, Marie Antoinette had a rustic village and farm constructed where she could get away from palace life and pretend to be a peasant. Here's more about this interesting area of Versailles, that I actually enjoyed visiting more than the Hall of Mirrors.
Armchair Travels
Traveling the World…Virtually
When you're stuck at home one way to possibly assuage your travel lust is to go on some virtual tours. Plenty are available on your laptop or desktop and, if you're lucky enough to be staying home with a VR headset, you can heighten the escapism with plenty of 360 degree videos and adventures. Here are some of my favorites.
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Cycling
The Best Beginner Mountain Bike Trails Near Seattle
Seattle is home to some great mountain biking and some of the best beginner mountain bike trails in the Pacific Northwest. This is a sponsored post from evo -- a Seattle based retailer that specializes in outdoor equipment...mountainbikes and more!
Armchair Travels
Traveling the World…Virtually
When you're stuck at home one way to possibly assuage your travel lust is to go on some virtual tours. Plenty are available on your laptop or desktop and, if you're lucky enough to be staying home with a VR headset, you can heighten the escapism with plenty of 360 degree videos and adventures. Here are some of my favorites.
King County
Set in Seattle: Seattle-centric books to quench your lust...
When you're stuck at home and can't get into Seattle what do you do? Read about it! Here are some great (or possibly great) fiction books that are going to fill my reading list during stay-at-home order time -- and likely after that!
Asia
Walking the Philosopher’s Path…Plus
The Path of Philosophy is a classic Kyoto walk -- especially in Spring as the path is lined with cherry trees. This is an extended route (with accompanying routemap) that takes you not only on the Tetsugaku no Michi itself, but also through many nearby temples.
King County
Ferry Travel in the Time of Coronavirus?
Washington State's Ferries are essential for many. If you must take the ferry during this COVID-19 crisis, follow social distancing measures.
Outdoor Activities, Sports, and Gear
“Sheltering in Place” and Getting Outside?
There's a lot of talk right now about "sheltering in place" during the COVID-19 pandemic. Does sheltering in place mean staying indoors at all times, or is it acceptable and responsible right now to enjoy the great outdoors to stay sane while still staying healthy?