Our family enjoyed a drive through Mount Rainier National Park on our way to Seattle. We made it a point to explore some of the simple hikes for our family on our way through. We had a wonderful time driving up the scenic mountain road, hiking among wildflowers and over snow fields, and an uphill…
There’s something amazing about reaching the summit of a mountain. But it’s even cooler when you reach the summit of an entire island. Haleakala National Park towers above the Hawaiian island of Maui. Locals and tourists enjoy exploring the extinct volcanic crater at an elevation of 10,000 feet. I’ve driven to the summit twice, both…
As a kid, I remember taking a family trip to Mount Rushmore and camping at some Flintstone theme park like place. Sadly, the Flinstone thing doesn’t exist anymore. Now that I’m in my 40s, I thought it would be fun to take my own kids to vacation in South Dakota. We piled in the minivan…
As we walked out of Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry (otherwise known as MOHAI), my teenage son said… “Every city should have a museum just like this.” I couldn’t have agreed more. The museum was full of information that told the story of Seattle – Innovators, technology, the city on fire, natives, Prohibition and…
The Polynesian Cultural Center is one of the most visited attractions on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. With so many people seeking to experience all the activities and presentations at the PCC, there are somethings you’ll want to know ahead of your visit so you can get the most out of your visit. The first…
My son is passionate about Scandinavia. His ancestry on his mother’s side hails from Sweden and he did a country report a couple years ago in school. His passion is deep. He tries to speak the language and eat the foods. As I was looking at activities in Seattle for our family vacation this summer,…
The Museum of Pop Culture (a.k.a. MoPop) is one of the most popular museums in Seattle. It’s full of movie props and costumes, music history and movements that continue to change our culture. My expectations were around the culture of music – more specifically, pop music. But as I spoke to my kids after our…
I write a lot about national parks, state parks, hiking trails and unique (and popular) outdoor venues. Sadly, there are people who either don’t know what they’re doing, or they etch their name on the beautiful sandstone wall. It’s infuriating. But one guy has been working to change that. Phill Monson (a.k.a. Nigel the Litter…
Seattle is full of life… not just in the urban city, but also among the sea life and wildlife that calls the area home. The Seattle Aquarium provides you with a rundown on the variety of animals in, on and above the water. It provides you with a better appreciation for them and the ecosystem…
I didn’t think I was afraid of heights. But after hiking the Above Zion Ledgewalk with Utah Adventure Center, I may have to change my fear of heights classification to skiddish. Especially considering the level of dare-devil moves my brother and 18-year-old son were pulling. The two-mile long Via Ferrata (Iron Pathway) is a unique…
