Seattle Vacation Ideas

Deception Pass is about an hour and a half-drive from Seattle.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/getaways/112698/hike26.html –>

The Herb Farm is renound for its dining experiences.  Those in the know rave about the food and wine pairings, even a friend who won’t ever drink wine talked about how fabulous the food was! 

Reservations are required, and dinner takes 4-5 hours. Theme dinners change with the availability of local produce and the cost is upwards of $180/person.  Hey, if you know you’re going to be in town far in advance, go ahead and book now.  They are currently accepting reservations through NewYears –>

Looking to get out of Washington? Want to pamper yourself while exploring a part of the Northwest you may not have visited recently (or ever)? Well, you can find luxurious spa resorts in the darndest places…including the high desert country of Central Oregon.

About five hours from Seattle lies Spa Wanapine at the Kah-Nee-Ta High Desert Resort & Casino. It’s a haven for some relaxing pampering in family-friendly surroundings. And just in case you’re thinking this place might be too obscure to consider, Spa Wanapine was named a top-five U.S. spa by Shape Magazine (2000).

And unlike some of those hoity toity have-to-leave-the-kids-at-home spas, this resort is family friendly. When you’re not enjoying your favorite treatments (such as the Spa Wanapine Massage with essential oil–$95–or an invigorating salt-glow exfoliation and six-head Vichy shower–$110), you and your family can explore the Olympic-size swimming pool and mini golf course. Adults will also enjoy the 18-hole golf course, and of course there is gambling at the casino. More nearby family-friendly activities include fishing, rafting, and kayaking on the Deschutes River. There’s also a museum at Warm Springs, which features great collections of Indian art and artifacts.

Overnight lodging is quite reasonable. If you want to pamper yourself, consider the luxury Chief Suite for $279, but if you’re looking for a more economical outing, consider bringing the RV ($40 per night for an RV site) or staying in a tepee (tepees provided but bring your own bedding) for $69 a night.

More information:

http://www.kahneeta.com/

My sister has taken a job with a transportation/bike planning agency in Portland so I’m curious about biking resources right now.  The city of Portland is touted as one of the top biking cities in the nation, with lots and lots of bike paths, and it is considerably flatter than Seattle.The city suggests some nice bike touring routes to the coast if you want to take a side-trip from Portland.  These trips run 70-100 miles, so they aren’t short rides.  Riders who are in good shape and used to distance riding might find these good overnight trips.  To get out of the city, you take Portland’s regional transit system to Hillsboro, one of the western suburbs and start your trips from there.  Apparently, there is no additional fare to bring your bike on the MAX light rail, so you’re in luck there!  Think about booking a Bed & Breakfast on the coast, (or half-way out if you’re not up for the 100 mile ride).http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=39889 –>

If you’re looking for something to do next Sunday, it’s blueberry picking season out at Finnriver Farm. The farm is located in the rural Chimacum Valley, a traditionally agricultural region on the Olympic Peninsula about 12 miles south of Port Townsend. These blueberries are certified organic, so you couldn’t get better ones even at Whole Foods. (Besides, it’s more fun to pluck them off the bushes than off the shelf at the grocery store anyway.)

The farm is open on Sundays and Tuesdays from 10am to 4pm, and it costs $10 per car of pickers, so it pays to carpool. You can show up and pick on a first-come/first-serve basis, or you can email for reservations (info@finnriverfarm.com). Buckets are provided.

There are Sunday events from now through September, which include musicians, juggling, and storytelling, so you can have some entertainment while you’re filling your bucket with plump, juicy blueberries.

More information and directions are available on the Finnriver Farm website:

http://www.finnriverfarm.com –>

I’ve been pretty busy lately and the thought of slipping away quietly for the weekend is becoming more and more appealing.  Right now, I’d love to hop on a boat and head over to Port Townsend, a charming little town on the Kitsap Peninsula with a great Victorian air about it.The town is host to many turn-of-the-century mansions, many of which are now bed and breakfasts.  The town boasts about 9300 residents as of July 2006 and has many near-by daytrip worthy destinations. There is Fort Casey a WWI bunker installation meant to protect Puget Sound from naval or air invasion.  August events include Blues Festival, Jefferson County Fair, Uptown Street Fair, Classic Car Show and more. Jefferson County Court House is one of my favorite buildings, and as I recall, you can climb the bell tower for a great view. –>

Lots of people enjoy planned trail systems.  There are several extended trail systems in the state including the Cascade Ridge trail, and some of the urban rails-to-trails like the Burke-Gilman/Lake Sammamish River Trail. Not as many people are familiar with the Cascadia Marine trail, however, a water-craft only trail that offers camping and boating.  It starts from the north end of the sound and stretches over 140 miles to the Olympia area. This inland sea trail is a National Recreation Trail and designated one of only 16 National Millennium Trails by the White House. The boat-trail is aimed at non-motorized craft and includes over 50 camping sites.  Some are free, others require reservations and prepayments.  The site Washington Water Trails Association provides additional information about exploring this unique water trail.   http://www.wwta.org/trails/CMT/index.asp –>

Looking for something to do on the next sunny weekend? Why not head up to Mount Rainer National Park for a day hike?

The park offers many trails to choose from. You can find advanced hikes for the experienced outdoor athlete, or trails suitable for beginners who just want to head out to enjoy the sun and see some wildlife.

In the Longmire area, you can find the easy .7 mile Trail of the Shadows, a loop trail that runs through forest and meadow and can be walked in a half hour or less, or you can hit the 4.6 mile steep Rampart Ridge loop trail that travels through forests and breaks out to offer ridge top views (give yourself 2 and a half hours for this one). Notice I highlight the loop trails. I don’t know about you, but I love going full circle instead of coming back the same way (the way back always seems so much longer…).

Some other popular spots with hikes in the Mt. Rainer National Park include Paradise Area, Ohanapecosh (say that five times quickly without tripping your tongue…), Sunrise, and the Carbon/Mowich Area.

To look up trail conditions and get more specifics on the hikes, visit the park service’s day hikes page:

http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/day-hikes.htm

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If you’re looking to beat the crowds and find a vacation spot within a couple hours of Seattle, Lake Crescent may be the place to visit.

Located on the Olympic Peninsula, the lake is rimmed by an impressive array of mountains and lush green trees. You can find all the usual activities (swimming, picnicking, fishing, boating, hiking, etc.) on and around the 624-foot deep 8.5-mile long lake. Freshwater Lake Crescent is especially known for its Beardslee trout, a large subspecies that runs in the 12-14 pound range and is known for putting up a fight once it’s hooked. (Apparently that’s a good thing if you’re a fisherman or woman who likes a challenge.)

If you’re looking for a place to stay, you can check out the Log Cabin Resort on the lake’s northeast end. Rates start around $50, and you can find rustic cabins, motel rooms, and waterfront A-frame chalets. There’s some history to the place, and many of the buildings have been standing since the 1920s. There are also hookups for RVs, if you prefer your 21st Century luxury motorhome to a rustic historic cabin. Or if you really want to rough it, they have tent spots too.

You can experience all the lake activities without leaving the resort. There’s a grocery store, and meals are served in the lodge if you prefer someone else do the cooking. When you’re done eating, head outdoors for rowboat, canoe, paddleboat, and kayak rentals. You’ll get quite the workout if you kayak all the way around the lake! (I’m not sure I’d try it in a paddleboat.)

The resort is located three miles from Hwy 101 on E. Beach Road and is open April-October.

http://www.logcabinresort.net/ –>

When was the last time you toured a Forrest Sherman Class Destroyer? I bet it’s been a while (or never).

If you enjoy naval history, or you have a kid that digs ships, then it might be worth a ferry trip over to Bremerton. From the ferry, you can easily walk down the Bremerton boardwalk to the home of the USS Turner Joy.

The 418 feet long ship was the last Forrest Sherman class destroyer built. “While some of these ships were later converted to guided missile destroyers, Turner Joy remains close to her original 1959 configuration. The destroyer has been restored to reflect the appearance during her active years.

“Turner Joy’s distinctive service included a double-duty role as flagship for Destroyer Squadron 13 and Destroyer Division 131 with several tours in the Pacific. She also stood air-sea rescue duty near the Marianas Islands for President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s visit to several Asian nations. In terms of history, this vessel is most remembered for her participation in the Gulf of Tonkin incident which escalated the United States involvement in the Vietnam War.”

The ship has been on display in Bremerton since 1991 when it was made a public attraction and a naval memorial.

Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children.

Hours, information, and history of the destroyer can be found at http://www.ussturnerjoy.org/ –>