Hiking in Cama Beach Historical State Park

Native Americans fished and hunted for centuries in the Cama Beach area before logging took over in the mid-1800s. After that, cottages and fishing resorts were built and Muriel and Lee Risk operated one such resort between 1934 and 1989. Around 1990 Washington State Parks began to acquire land through family donations and purchased other parts of it. Today the park offers visitors a restful and relaxing getaway. It also includes learning the history and culture of native people from the area. There's a Center for Wooden Boats where you may learn about boat building. The park includes numerous cabins for overnight stays along the waterfront with a park store nearby that offers groceries, snacks, supplies, and much more.

Interview of Beers at the Bottom

We've recently had the pleasure of connecting with a couple of fellow hikers and bloggers through social media. They are Brandon & Rachel of Beers at the Bottom. We were honored when they asked to interview us for their website and we felt that interviewing them, in return, would be a great opportunity. As their name suggests, after a good hike they head back to the bottom and find a local brewery for a couple of brews.

Articles, InterviewPacific North WanderersApril 26, 2016Pacific Northwest Comment

International Peace Arch Park

Dedicated in 1921 by Washington philanthropist Samuel Hill, Peace Arch is a one of a kind monument. In the interest of peace and nations, this is the only international gateway of its kind in the world. The arch straddles the 49th parallel, the international border line, and the surrounding park lies within both the U.S. and Canada. Visitors from either nation may walk through the arch and park without passing through customs, so long as they remain in the park boundaries and exit through the same side they entered.

Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley

It's time to celebrate the blooming of tulips at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. For the last 32 years people from around the world come to see the beauty of these flowers from April 1-30. Each spring brings visitors in the hundreds of thousands and it's easy to see why. The fields of vivid colors with mountain backdrops and tulips in the millions is a gorgeous sight to see. We spent two days in Mt. Vernon exploring the fields and attractions.

Hiking Rock Candy Mountain

The third-highest peak in Capitol State Forest is known as Rock Candy Mountain. One could easily assume that the mountain is very rocky from the name, but that was not the case for most of our hike. Hiking to the 2,356' summit had us stepping over streams, wandering under a thick forest, and crossing a few logging roads. The views on a clear day are spectacular and allowed us to see as far away as Mt. Saint Helens.

HikingPacific North WanderersApril 7, 2016Pacific Northwest, Washington Comments

Exploring Bay View & Deception Pass State Parks

This past week we headed north again. We've seen many people share photos of Deception Pass and we also noticed the signs for it on the drive to Oyster Dome from the previous week. We decided it was time to check it out. We wanted to stay the night but we felt that it was still a bit cold for a tent so we started looking for cabins. The only available cabin at Deception Pass State Park was out on Ben Ure Island and required a kayak or canoe to reach it, which we don't have. So we looked around nearby and found one available at Bay View State Park.

Camping, HikingPacific North WanderersMarch 31, 2016Pacific Northwest, Washington State Park, Beach, WashingtonComment

Our Review of SportShield by Medi-Dyne

We tested SportShield, a product by Medi-Dyne which eliminates the friction that causes chafing and blisters. It comes in a roll-on version and a towelette version. Both provide the same protection, it's just a matter of preference and the accessibility you need when choosing one over the other. The towelettes are great for getting in between your toes, while the roll-on works just about anywhere else. We've used the product on three separate occasions now. This is our review...

ReviewPacific North WanderersMarch 30, 2016Pacific NorthwestComment

Hiking Oyster Dome

Overlooking the San Juan Islands, with views all the way to the Olympics, Oyster Dome provides an opportunity for some gorgeous scenery. The location is in the second-growth Blanchard Forest, on Chuckanut Mountain. This area was extensively logged in the mid-1800s until the land was deeded to the state in 1925. Today, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources provides diverse recreation opportunities here and in the surrounding areas.

HikingPacific North WanderersMarch 24, 2016Pacific Northwest, Washington Comments

Lake Lenore Caves

Created by the Missoula Floods during the last Ice Age some 15,000 and 13,000 years ago, this area is a geologists best friend. Ridges, plateaus, rivers, lakes, coulees, and caves are some of the sites to be seen and explored here. 5,000 years ago Native Americans used this area to collect plants, fish, and hunt. The caves were used as a temporary shelter by them. Today it’s used for explorers and hikers like us.

Hiking, ExploringPacific North WanderersMarch 17, 2016Pacific Northwest, Cave, Washington Comment

Our Review of the XShot Sport Camera Extender Pole

We’ve all been there. Trying to fit ourselves and others in for a group shot. No one wants to be out of the mix, otherwise they’d be taking the photo for us. So we’re left with shots up close and our arms extended as far as possible to hold the camera out. Those days are in the past with the XShot Sport Camera Extender Pole. Yes — Extender Pole — not “selfie stick”. This product is made for more than just selfies, it’s made for action!

ReviewPacific North WanderersMarch 15, 2016Pacific Northwest Comments

Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

On December 18, 2015 the “Billy Frank Jr. Tell Your Story Act” was signed into law by President Obama, along McAllister Creek, within the Refuge boundary. This act officially changed the name from Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. The signing also created the Medicine Creek Treaty National Memorial.

ExploringPacific North WanderersMarch 6, 2016Pacific Northwest, WashingtonComment

Little Si

Standing in front of its bigger brother, Mt. Si, Little Si is aptly named. Don’t let that fool you for it being an easy hike. Reaching the summit is going to take some work as it’s a 1,300 foot gain in elevation.

Upon reaching the summit the views are pretty good looking out towards the town of North Bend and the Issaquah Alps off in the distance. The views behind you, of big brother Mt. Si, are excellent.

HikingPacific North WanderersFebruary 28, 2016Pacific Northwest, WashingtonComment

A Bit of Urban Exploration

Here in the Pacific Northwest we have a lot of gray days. Winter isn’t particularly severe in the lower elevations, it’s just gray. Gray and damp. On the rare occasion that the sun makes an appearance, we find it important to maximize our outdoor time. While yes, we absolutely love our outward bound trips, sometimes we need to stick closer to home to enjoy that bright thing in the sky. This weekend was a prime example. Instead of driving an hour or two or four to go hiking in the mountains we chose to explore a couple areas of Tacoma.

ExploringPacific North WanderersFebruary 21, 2016Pacific Northwest, Beach, WashingtonComment

Snowshoeing in Paradise

A winter wonderland was exactly this. Snowshoeing in one of the most beautiful locations of the world — a 14,409 foot volcano covered in miles upon miles of untouched snow. This was like something one would read from a book or see in a movie. As far as the eye could see in every direction we were amidst snow covered ground and trees. Being out there and looking up at the top of the mountain is a feeling that’s not easy to explain. Surreal. Peaceful. Beautiful. Unbelievable. Those are just a few things that immediately come to mind while thinking back on this experience.

Rattlesnake Ledge

As you park at Rattlesnake Lake you immediately notice mountains to the south, east and northwest of you. You’re tucked into a nice little area right here with beauty surrounding you in all directions — mountains, forest, a lake. Rattlesnake Mountain is located to the northwest, across from the lake. The mountain has a prominence of 2,520 feet. Rattlesnake Ledge, your hike for the day, is somewhere around half that.

HikingPacific North WanderersFebruary 7, 2016Pacific Northwest, Lake, Washington Comments

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park

It's not always necessary to travel long distances in order to get away from the big city and into the wilderness. Located in the Issaquah Alps, Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is a great example of this. Less than a 1/2 hour drive from Seattle you’re able to find yourself in a 3,100 acre forest that provides a recreation area consisting of 50+ trails, multiple creeks and waterfalls, a decent elevation gain, city views, and peacefulness.

HikingPacific North WanderersJanuary 31, 2016Pacific Northwest, Waterfall, Washington Comment

Franklin Falls

This weekend we headed to Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest to visit Franklin Falls. Located along I-90, just before the slopes of Snoqualmie Pass, it’s about an hour’s drive from Seattle. This is one of the most visited waterfalls in the state. It’s easy to understand why once you see it.

HikingPacific North WanderersJanuary 24, 2016Pacific Northwest, National Forest, Waterfall, WashingtonComment

Our Review of Electro-Bites by Fuel100

We had an opportunity to test a new product while hiking to Heybrook Lookout last weekend. We brought Electro-Bites by Fuel100 along with our normal energy bars. Below is our review...

ReviewPacific North WanderersJanuary 20, 2016Pacific NorthwestComment

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