Hood River Lavender

The Hood River lavender farm should be on your list of places to stop if you’re in Hood River during the summer months.  Admittedly the fields aren’t as expansive as we expected based on some of the pictures we had seen, but it is still worth a stop.  No need to plan on spending much time here.  Enough to see and smell (and oh wow what an amazing smell!) and maybe even cut your own lavender to take home.  (more…)

Hood River, Oregon

Hood River, Oregon is a nice city to spend some time in.  Located along the Columbia River and also it’s namesake Hood River there is a surprisingly diverse list of things to do and see.  It is well known for being an active city with some of the best spots for windsurfing, kite-surfing, kayaking, skiing and mountain biking.  (more…)

Columbia Gorge Hotel

A beautiful historic hotel built on a cliff overlooking the Columbia River; Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River, Oregon.  This is a great hotel for a romantic getaway but I wouldn’t recommend it for a family trip unless your children are older.  The hotel has manicured lawns, sculpted gardens, and it’s own waterfall (named the Wah Gwin Gwin falls and is 208 feet tall).  I do have to say there are a few tiny details that I thought should be looked into but none that would keep me from staying here again the next time I’m in the area.  (more…)

Richland, WA

Seemingly a world away from Seattle and Northern Cascades National Park lies Richland, Washington.  We found ourselves here for a friends’ wedding where we proceeded to have a great time.  Unlike the lush, cool evergreen filled western portion of the State, Richland is a desert landscape with temperatures in the summer that can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. (more…)

Sauk Mountain

Just outside Northern Cascades National Park is a long (I think about 7 miles?) winding gravel and dirt road leading you up near the summit of Sauk Mountain.  If you don’t know where to find it, you will pass right by and never know it’s there.  If you are coming from the west and you get to Rockport State Park then you’ve gone too far.  (more…)