All in Travel

An afternoon at Cutthroat Lake

An afternoon at Cutthroat Lake

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend, Outdoor adventures

With the transition of Winter into Spring my thoughts turn outdoors. If I had it my way I would be outside everyday from dawn until dusk. Unfortunately, many days between work commitments, taking care of a small child and the rigors of life in general my schedule does not permit such a luxury like this. On those days, where all I want to be is outside, but I am stuck inside I have the memories and the photos of wonderful days past spent amongst the dirt and the trees. Here are a few photos from one such lovely Fall hike to Cutthroat Lake. 

Point Robinson

Point Robinson

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Weekend, Travel

During our visit to Vashon we spent one of our mornings down at Point Robinson. Point Robinson is a ten acre shoreline park and marine conservancy located on the east shore of Maury Island overlooking East Passage. This site has provided fog and lighthouse service for vessels since 1885. The park has a sandy beach shoreline which wraps around the point, a saltwater marsh, and upland woodlands. Jasper particularly enjoyed the beach (he is obsessed with carrying around tiny rocks), the wooden swing and cement pathway in front of the Keeper's houses. No matter how you spend your time at Point Robinson there are spectacular views of East Passage, Tacoma, and Mount Rainier from anywhere on the shoreline.

The Lodges on Vashon

The Lodges on Vashon

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend

Last week, we had the opportunity to stay on Vashon Island while we checked out the Lodges on Vashon. Even though I have visited Vashon Island numerous times, I have never spent more than a day there. Living in West Seattle, Vashon Island is a place I look at across the water pretty much everyday without thinking much about it. It is a beautiful place, but I have never considered it a destination for a weekend adventure. Now that I know such airy, light filled, and hip accommodations exist I foresee many more trips to the island in my future. Early one afternoon, Jasper and I boarded the ferry for our ten minute crossing to our island getaway. With the sleek water taxi service from downtown, Cameron would be joining up with us after work. 

Sweet Peaks

Sweet Peaks

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Food, Travel

While in Whitefish I had the opportunity to spend some time with the owners of Sweet Peaks, Marissa and Sam. I met them at their Whitefish shop early one morning and were greeted by six smiling faces (five of which comprised their family and one employee). After spending just moments with them I was immediately impressed by their friendliness and teamwork. In my opinion you can tell a lot about a couple by how they interact with their children and Marissa and Sam seem to be equally adored by them. Aside from their great personalities and adorable family Marissa and Sam are serving up some killer ice cream; from salty caramel and chocolate love to strawberry sorbet and honey cinnamon their flavors are intense, but not overpowering and the creaminess of their ice cream is unparalleled. My morning spent with Marissa and Sam was a good reminder of the type of people I like my money to support and reinforced my belief in the importance of both eating and shopping locally. 

Glacier National Park in the Winter

Glacier National Park in the Winter

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel

I have always wanted to visit Glacier National Park in the Winter and a couple weeks ago we finally made it happen. One of my favorite things to do is hike the same trails over and over again, but during different seasons. I had heard the Going to the Sun road was closed during the Winter, but being able to walk along it instead of drive was a thrill. In general, the park was quiet, and beautiful, but it was also a good reminder how traveling during the off season will always have its benefits. 

River Meadow Ranch

River Meadow Ranch

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel

We just returned from spending a few relaxing days in Whitefish, Montana. During our time there we hiked in Glacier National park, cooked delicious meals together and enjoyed being outside as much as possible. However, a majority of our time was spent enjoying the comfort and beauty of a wonderful place called River Meadow Ranch. River Meadow Ranch is a gorgeous property boasting not one, but two spectacular rental homes. The first home is a five bedroom, three bath fully restored hand hewn log home and the second home (the one we stayed in) is a newly built five bedroom, four bath house located on seven acres and offering stunning mountain views.

A day trip to Whidbey Island

A day trip to Whidbey Island

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Weekend, Travel

When the sun is shining and the hiking trails are still covered in snow we like to spend our Saturdays taking little day trips around the state. In order for it to be a day well spent, we like to eat delicious food, see beautiful or interesting places and spend a majority of our day outside rather than in the car. One of our favorite little day trips is to drive up to Mukilteo and take the ferry to Clinton. From there we make a pit stop in Langley for a little shopping and then onto Coupeville for lunch. After lunch we like to spend the late afternoon at Ebey's Landing or Fort Casey to enjoy the beautiful visitas and breathe in the fresh air.  Depending on our mood and the hours of sunlight left we might drive up to Deception Pass, stop in La Conner for dinner and then make our way home via I-5. On this particular day, we drove back the way we came and took the ferry back over to Mukilteo.  

A mountain getaway with Glampinghub.com

A mountain getaway with Glampinghub.com

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend, Outdoor adventures

Awhile back I mentioned we were partnering with Glamping Hub for a little family adventure. We finally went on our adventure and stayed in a modern cabin in the woods. We enjoyed the solitude and location of our cabin, but most importantly the time we spent together as a family. Our time there reminded us how we feel most alive surrounded by trees and breathing in the fresh mountain air, but also how we hope to one day have a cabin of our own nestled in the woods.

Vancouver Lookout

Vancouver Lookout

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel

Vancouver Lookout is the perfect place to visit while you are in Vancouver, BC. Being up so high with a 360 degree view you are able to easily get your bearings of the city and visually plan out the rest of your visit. We could not decide if we wanted to visit the Vancouver Lookout during the day or at night, so we decided to visit at dusk. As a result, we were able to watch the city turn from day to night and catch one of the loveliest sunsets from the lookout. 

Snowshoeing at Cypress Mountain

Snowshoeing at Cypress Mountain

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Outdoor adventures

One of our primary reasons for visiting Vancouver was to go snowshoeing. There isn't one, but three fantastic places to go snowshoeing all within twenty minutes from the city.  However, between getting late starts each day and the extra holiday traffic we were only able to visit Cypress Mountain this time. On the day we were up there the glorious sunshine and blue skies combined with a fresh dumping of snow made for one heavenly day. The snow shoe route we took was one of those straight up the entire way. When we are out snowshoeing I am always thoroughly impressed with Cameron's ability to carry our heavy son on his back. He never complains and makes it look so easy. I am reminded time and time again how much fresh mountain air and family time is good for the soul. I am continually grateful for these two adventurous dudes and how much they make every single day special.

OPUS Vancouver- the perfect getaway from Seattle

OPUS Vancouver- the perfect getaway from Seattle

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend

After Christmas, we were excited to spend time in one of our favorite cities- Vancouver, B.C. Although it had been a couple years since we last visited I was reminded how much I love Vancouver and the diversity of its surrounding neighborhoods. I like to think of Vancouver as the hip, more refined and established older sister to Seattle. Whatever characteristics I like about Seattle it seems Vancouver has in greater abundance or accessibility. My two great loves are the water and the mountains. Vancouver like Seattle has both, but in Vancouver the mountains are so easily accessible from the city it makes me envious. 

A pit stop in Portland

A pit stop in Portland

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend

On our way home from the Oregon coast we decided to take a little detour and meet up with our friends in Portland. Since I easily daydream about going to Portland at least once a month, it was a no brainer when the opportunity presented itself. There is something about Portland that feels so young and hip. The food scene cannot be beat and I love how easy it is to get around. We met up with our friends for lunch at Por Que No and then walked down Mississippi Avenue looking in the various shops. Some of my favorites include: Black Wagon, Paxton Gate, Land, and Pistils Nursery.

Pre holiday get away

Pre holiday get away

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Weekend, Travel

The holidays can be such a frenzied time, so we decided to enjoy the calm before the storm by heading to Cannon Beach for a few days. We stayed at Tolovana Inn in a two bedroom condo right on the beach, our unit had a full kitchen and dining room which made it easy to make our own meals and enjoy them at a leisurely pace. We only ended up eating out a couple times and our favorite was Tom's Fish and Chips. Aside from a day trip to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, we spent the majority of our time walking along the beach and enjoying the sea breeze. These days our trips are a lot less structured and just being together makes me feel endlessly happy and content. Jasper has taught me so many things. However, the most important thing he has taught me is to enjoy the mundane. Eating breakfast used to take me five minutes, now I can plan on at least thirty. He has taught me the unscheduled day has its advantages and being busy does not necessarily equate to fulfillment or happiness. Productivity has always been a source of happiness and pride for me, but since Jasper has come along some days I resign myself to the fact not much is going to get done. The important realization I have come to is that I am okay with it. Playing blocks, jumping in piles of clean laundry, unfolding and tossing the folded laundry on the floor, playing hide and seek, and crawling around the room are among life's simple joys. 

A new way to travel

A new way to travel

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel

Since our son arrived we have spent the majority of our vacations exploring closer to home. The thought of several days cramped in a small hotel room has lost its appeal. With a busy toddler who loves to explore we are constantly searching for experiences which spark his imagination and capture his creativity.  Over the past year, we have started to explore alternate types of places to stay, so when the opportunity to partner with Glamping Hub popped up I was happy to try out their services. Glamping Hubhas a variety of unique places to stay from tree houses and railroad cars to log cabins, yurts, canvas tents and teepees. The exciting part is many of these places you can stay for less than the price of a standard hotel room. Washington is such a diverse and beautiful state, even though I have lived here almost my entire life there are so many places to explore and beautiful gems to discover. Check back in to see the adventures we had with Glamping Hub. 

Long weekend traveling

Long weekend traveling

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel

Ever since Jasper has been born we have changed the way we travel. Over the past year we have predominately visited places we have been before and have kept our trips to either three or four days. Between this season of life being extra busy and adjusting to our new family we have made a conscious decision to keep things simple. I am certain as Jasper gets a tad older it will be easier to meet his needs and have big adventures, but for the time being we have stayed close to home and enjoyed low key adventures. Some of our favorite trips have included:

One of the best days of my life

One of the best days of my life

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Parenting, Outdoor adventures

I don't think it was a coincidence one of the best days of my life preceded one of the worst days of my life. It was not that we did anything lavish, but the weather was spectacular and we spent the day hiking to Cutthroat Pass via Cutthroat Lake (one of the prettiest trails I have ever been on). The sky was blue, the larch were golden and my happy little family was doing what we do best- enjoying nature and each other. I was confident after seeing the heartbeat of our child, that this tiny human growing inside of me was happy and healthy. We were eagerly anticipating breaking the news to friends and were feeling blessed beyond measure to be adding again to our family so soon. 

Apple picking

Apple picking

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Parenting, Travel

On our way to the North Cascades earlier this month we made a pit stop at Gordon Skagit Farm for a little apple picking, a lot of photo taking and to pick up a few pumpkins. This was Jasper's first time apple picking and you can imagine how my heart skipped a beat when he pulled an apple off the tree and his face light up with pure joy. I will say it time and time again, but EVERYTHING is better with Jasper. Without even trying, he makes the simplest moments pure magic. Once he realized he could bit into the apples he was in heaven. Between the juice from the apples rushing out of his bite marks and the smile plastered to his face I could hardly care he was becoming a sticky mess. 

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel

While we were in Utah a few weeks ago we spent a gorgeous Fall afternoon hiking up and exploring the Timpanogos Caves. It had been almost fifteen years since our first visit together; shortly after we had just started dating. The hike is a short and paved, but steep. It is the kind of hike which makes you grateful for being shape. Although it was a warm day the cave hovers around forty five degrees year round. Although the tours were sold out for the day, we lucked out by taking our chances and hiking to the top. Upon reaching the entrance to the cave, we were able to join a group whose members did not all make it to the top. Even though our son is small and enjoyed a nap on the way down I am grateful for the opportunities we have as a family to make memories and be together.

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