All in Travel

The North Cascades

The North Cascades

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend

In my opinion, one of the prettiest areas in all of Washington state is the North Cascades. It is breathtakingly beautiful at every turn, more hiking trails than you'll ever have time for, and feels remote, yet is easy enough to get to. Our first encounter with the Freestone Inn was a couple days after our son, Asher passed away. Unaware of our circumstance, we were greeted with a warm welcome, a friendly smile and a cozy room complete with a large soaking tub, stone fireplace and lovely views of the property. Since then, we have made it an annual tradition to return to this special place year after year. The Freestone Inn is located on Wilson Ranch on a gorgeous piece of property. We have been fortunate enough to visit the property during the Summer, Fall and Winter and there are different things we enjoy about each season in the North Cascades. 

Hike to Melawka Lake

Hike to Melawka Lake

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Outdoor adventures, Travel, Weekend

This Summer we have made a conscious effort to branch out and visit several new alpine lakes. Even when it comes to hiking it is easy to find your favorites and visit them again and again. Between the changes seasons and weather in general each visit is a new experience. A mere 40 minutes from Seattle is the I90 corridor where there are countless trails to tackle. Our goal, if we continue to enjoy hiking for many years to come is to eventually visit them all. 

Recently, we had Jasper spend the night at my parent's house and enjoyed a beautiful hike to Melakwa Lake. Melakwa Lake is part of the Denny Creek trail. Denny Creek is a popular trail for families, but as you continue on the trail for a few additional miles you can find yourself at a beautiful, uncrowded alpine lake. There is no place that invigorates my mind and body more than being in the mountains. I feel my most content breathing the fresh air and being surrounded by trees. I am truly a Pacific Northwesterner at heart. 

Avalanche Lake Trail

Avalanche Lake Trail

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend, Outdoor adventures

While we were in Glacier National Park we did a fantastic and easy hike called Avalanche Lake. The trail starts at the Trail of the Cedars and is located 6 miles east of the Lake McDonald Lodge. The trail is only 4.5 miles long with a mere 730 feet elevation gain. On the day of our hike the weather was a bit cool and the clouds were hung low. This moody weather not only made for beautiful photographs, but made us feel right at home. 

Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish, Montana

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend, Outdoor adventures

Over the Fourth of July weekend we rented a three bedroom condo in Whitefish, MT with some friends. Although we had visited Whitefish a couple times in the past on our way to Glacier National Park, we had never spent any significant time there. We realized once we were there the four days we had planned to be there was not nearly enough time to enjoy all Whitefish, MT had to offer. During our time there we spent a morning hiking up Big Mountain, and then riding the gondola back down, another morning enjoying the alpine slides and chairlift, an afternoon swimming in Whitefish Lake, a couple dinners in downtown Whitefish and an afternoon at Stumptown Marketplace. 

Glacier National Park with kids

Glacier National Park with kids

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Outdoor adventures, Parenting

Boasting over 700 miles in trails, Glacier National Park is one of my all time favorite places to hike. Over the Fourth of July weekend we visited the park with some of our friends and our three small children under the age of five. Rather than our usual 8-10 mile hikes we enjoyed a couple easier hikes, but there was no shortage of beautiful scenery or fun. On our first day we went to Logan's Pass and hiked the Hidden Lake trail. Logan's Pass is a mountain goat research area and the hike was visually diverse enough to keep everyone interested. There were streams, wildflowers, mountain goats, beautiful vistas and plenty of rocks to pick up along the trail. 

Pelindaba Lavender Farm

Pelindaba Lavender Farm

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Weekend, Travel

On San Juan Island there exists a beautiful lavender farm called Pelindaba Lavender. Although we visited before the lavender was in full bloom, we still enjoyed spending a quiet morning there.  We walked the cutting field and demonstration garden, had a picnic, perused the gift shop and toured their farm to learn about their process and sustainable practices. Typically, the lavender is in full bloom in July which makes me excited to visit again this Summer. We have enjoyed picking up products from their Friday Harbor and LaConner shop for several years now, so it was fun to see the farm where the lavender comes from. Some of our favorite products are their lavender chocolate sauce, lemon lavender sorbet and lavender honey.

Earthbox Inn

Earthbox Inn

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend

Over Memorial Day weekend, we stayed at the Earthbox Inn on Friday Harbor. Earthbox Inn is centrally located in town and only four blocks from the ferry terminal. It is close enough you could walk onto the ferry and enjoy a car free vacation as you walk or cruise around town on one of their free bikes. Earthbox Inn is an old motel which has been refurbished into a modern, chic, laid back place to rest your head. Even though we stayed over a holiday weekend, we found our room to be quiet and our bed to be among some of the comfiest we have ever slept in. 

Long weekend in Long Beach

Long weekend in Long Beach

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend

Last year over Mother's Day weekend we stayed at the Adrift Hotel in Long Beach, WA with my parents. We had so much fun we decided to head back and stay at their sister property Inn at Discovery Coast. Inn at Discovery Coast is a smaller, more intimate hotel, closer to the beach and a tad more luxurious. We stayed in the top corner rooms which had large jetted tubs, unobstructed ocean views and thoughtful touches such as roses and chocolate on your pillow. We spent a majority of out time outdoors riding along the Discovery Trail, eating leisurely meals at the Pickled Fish and enjoying the view.

Washington State Ferries

Washington State Ferries

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Weekend, Travel, Seattle

Ferries are not only useful in getting us from Point A to Point B, but they are also extremely scenic. One of the best ways to experience first hand all the beauty of Washington state has to offer is by getting out on the water. From a ferry you can enjoy sweeping views of the Seattle skyline, witness sea life galore or cruise between tree covered islands. Although I enjoy going anywhere on a ferry, my favorite ferry ride will always be through the San Juan Islands. In the past, I used to dread having to wait in line for hours in the Summer, but Reservations are now available for Washington State Ferries which makes waiting hours in lines a thing of the past. 

Port Townsend

Port Townsend

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Weekend, Travel, Seattle

This past weekend we wanted to go on a little family adventure for the day, so we hopped on the Southworth Ferry and drove up to Port Townsend. Port Townsend makes for a great day trip from Seattle because there are cute shops, a few fun places to eat and gorgeous views of the Puget Sound and ferries breezing by. Whenever we hop aboard a ferry we always feel like we have gone somewhere exciting!

Roche Harbor

Roche Harbor

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend

Roche Harbor is a great little day trip from Friday Harbor. A short little drive and you feel as though you have been transported to another place. The Hotel del Haro is a popular spot for weddings in the Summertime, but during our visit it was relatively quiet. We enjoyed delicious sandwiches, fish and chips and fresh donuts from Lime Kiln Cafe and then spent the better part of an afternoon walking around, soaking up the sunshine and looking at the various boats and yachts in the harbor. 

Cattle Point

Cattle Point

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend

One of the most beautiful places on San Juan Island is Cattle Point. Cattle Point is located at the south end of San Juan Island and consists of low rolling hills, and cliffs covered in prairie grassland. Cattle Point is a short drive from Friday Harbor and yet it feels as though you are miles and miles away from everything. On a clear day you can see all the way to Canada. The southern shoreline of Cattle Point has long gravel beaches, rock outcroppings and protected sandy coves; it reminds me of the California coast in many spots. Cattle Point is a prime example of how easily accessible some of the most breathtaking places are. A ten minute drive and a five minute walk later we were able to witness more bald eagles than I have ever seen at once in my life. Washington is such a beautiful state filled with rich diversity and plentiful beauty; I am fortunate to call this place home. 

Weekends

Weekends

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Weekend, Travel

Weekends, in particular Saturday, is the day we set aside for adventures and exploring in our family. I like to leave the house in the morning and return home at dark with a heart full of memories and a camera full of photographs. This past Saturday was rather stormy and rainy, so we boarded the Southworth Ferry and spent a leisurely day driving to Union and then Hoodsport, WA. We made a pit stop at Alderbrook for brunch and witnessed one chilly polar bear swim. Then we went onto Hoodsport for ice cream. I love this little family of mine and I am grateful we are able to spend days like this together. 

Weekend Adventure

Weekend Adventure

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Weekend, Travel

As the fog hung low one Saturday morning we resisted the urge to stay cozied up inside all day and instead went out for an adventure. We took Jasper on his first ferry ride to Whidbey Island and then drove to Coupeville and then Langley. We didn't have any particular plans rather a destination in mind. We spent the day walking around, browsing some of the shops, ate lunch, then dinner and most importantly were together. It always takes a little extra effort these days to get out of the house, but whenever we do we are glad we did. Aaahhh Saturdays my favorite day of the week.

Sun Mountain Lodge

Sun Mountain Lodge

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend

Whenever we are up in the North Cascades we make certain to spend a day at Sun Mountain Lodge. It is a beautiful place with sweeping vistas and regular wildlife sightings. Their lobby is warm and inviting with two massive fireplaces flanking the large vaulted space. Sun Mountain Lodge is the perfect spot to warm up by after being outside for several hours. In the Fall we like to hike around the property and in the Winter we like to snowshoe on one of the many well marked trails. One unique experience they offer during the holidays is a sleigh ride. The last Winter we were up there we took a sleigh ride during the day. This time we decided to mix it up and opt for a nighttime sleigh ride complete with dinner. There was something very magical about riding on a horse drawn sleigh, bundled up with blankets looking at the starry sky above with the sounds of jingle bells.

White Christmas

White Christmas

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend

Living in Seattle it is rare to experience a white Christmas. In the thirty plus years of living here I can remember a couple of white Christmases. So in an effort to make it feel a little more like Christmas we have started to make it a tradition to spend some time up in the North Cascades before Christmas. I know most people like to vacation between Christmas and New Year's but going beforehand allows us to avoid the hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas. No crowded malls, frantic list making or late night gift wrapping for us. Instead, we spent a few glorious days in the mountains with nothing but trees, wildlife and each other as our companions. Taking this trip right before Christmas helps remind us of the real meaning of Christmas and how blessed we are to have our health, our faith and each other. 

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