There are so many exciting places to go to get out of the Seattle Metro Area for a weekend or a week that it would take a whole server to gather all the great vacation stories.  But just to give you a taste I have collected a couple recent travel blogs and articles that will showcase some great places to start your explorations.  Have fun!

The  Puget Sound islands all within practically a stone’s throw, or at least a ferry ride, of the city are full of unique places and experiences.  Whether you are in the mood for artist colony (Salt Spring Island), historical bounty (Victoria) a camping adventure (in British Columbia) or laid back resort (San Juan Islands) there are choices and to spare.  Perhaps closest of all (there is no bridge from Seattle or the West Sound, though, so it’s still a Ferry ride, is Vashon Island.  Carol Pucci of Seattle Times (online travel section rocks) wrote a great trip description and I’ll be heading out that way with my family to enjoy the summer atmosphere of what she describes as “The Heart of the Sound.”

Many Seattlites trek on a yearly basis to the Olympic Peninsula where camping and beaches offer timeless pleasures that never change.  Then there are the mountain lakes and farming areas of the Eastern part of the state, including Wenachee and Lake Chelan.   Of course Oregon offers delightful Portland (go for the Rose Festival (in early June), the Waterfront Blues Festival,  the Oregon Brewfest, the Portland Jazz Festival (on now and continuing through July), the Bite of Oregon (in August), the Columbia River Gorge and wine country, including river cruises.  All these are wonderful scenic areas offering leisure activities, not the least of which are fantastic caves, beaches, and camping. 

As if that were not enough, just to the north Canada offers not only the urban pleasures of Vancouver (why not take the train!) but also fantastic nature and historical towns.  Not to mention the cruise ships that depart Seattle daily

Bellingham Bay

headed for the Alaskan wilderness.  And there’s the small but vivid town of Bellingham about an hour north, and many people literally take the train up and stay in Fairhaven for the weekend…there’s certainly enough to keep you busy there for a whole week!

Never forget Mount Rainier which offers scenic drives, fun or challenging hikes, lovely vistas, and a true break from the daily grind.  Or try a quick armchair venture by checking out a Mt Rainier webcam which gives a glimpse of the otherworldly June landscape hung with fog and mist, with glimpses of the craigs.  The Paradise Inn, being refreshed, has been providing lodging in Paradise for over 90 years.  Summer News gives wonderful tips on activities and preparation for your trip.  Or wait, if you and yours are facinated by volcanos, Mount St. Helens might be your destination of choice if you want to range farther afield.

One of my favorite resources for travel vignettes is the Seattle Times online site.  They offer numerous ideas (far more than we could ever actually take advantage of!) on trips in the area.  Today Brian Cantwell reports starting a trip with his daughter to visit Vancouver Island (“on a shoestring”) and that looks like it will be a pleasure to follow as their trip unfolds.  And Tyrone Beason has provided a fantastic guide to visiting La Connor, a wonderful small town only a 75 minute drive north of Seattle offering art galleries, shopping, sight seeing, as well as the nearby Swinomish Indian Tribal Community that offers a way to get to know some of the local cultural past and current resources.  I would highly advise you to check out the Seattle Times online travel site for more adventures.