When my wife and I moved to the PNW our house was already landscaped for us with native plants…courtesy of nature. In other words, it was an unkempt mess that hadn’t been cared for or looked after for 15+ years. By the time we got done hacking and trimming it turned out that we didn’t …
When it comes to art…I appreciate it. In fact, I love it. However, I’m an absolute ignoramus about what artists are famous (and why). However, since art is such an integral part of the PNW’s identity I felt that it was a gap in my knowledge that was bound to be exposed any day. So …
Everyone romanticizes small-town life. That is, everyone does except for those of us that grew up in small towns. Sure, there are the annual festivals, the quirky characters, and the quaint shops. But, other than that, there’s usually just a whole bunch of boredom, the smell of cows, and 40+ hour workweeks for sub-average pay. …
I went to a charity event last week with some friends and, unbeknownst to us, one of the rooms was hosting a trivia competition. Every team paid $5 into the pot, which was then split evenly between the winners and the host charity. Our great start was followed by a particularly disastrous category about the …
My wife and I recently spent two full weeks road-tripping the Southern Coast of Oregon with our two daughters. I’ll be honest, I expected to be bored. Having spent so much time in the PNW I thought that it would mainly be trees and rocky beaches. I wasn’t wrong. But I also underestimated how wildly …
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists over 3,000 kinds of animals on its “Red List,” which is commonly referred to as “The Endangered Species List.” Many of these you’ve likely heard of, like the whooping crane, the wild water buffalo, or the Manta Ray. One that you may not have heard of, however, …
The Pacific Northwest is home to snowy peaks and frigid winters. In fact, the words “Pacific Northwest” are often associated with cold and can bring up mental imagery of Alaska. That’s why some people find it hard to believe there could be a volcano in the PNW. In reality, dozens of active volcanoes exist in …
Washington state has a long and storied history when it comes to military bases. Some of the first European settlements in the state were established as military outposts, and throughout the 19th century, forts were built to help protect against potential invasions from British or Native American forces. In the early 20th century, Washington became …
I’ll be honest, finding edible plants in the PNW isn’t really a trick. You can throw a rock pretty much anywhere in Washington and Oregon and hit a plant that is edible. The trick then, with thousands of plant species, is to find plants that are not only edible but actually taste good and are …
As much as I love the Pacific Northwest I’ll be one of the first to admit that Seattle isn’t quite what it used to be. While it’s still an impressive and enjoyable (if quirky) city it has also become quite hectic and stressful. So, while we used to head to Seattle when we needed a …