United States Archives - Seek Your Trip

December 14, 2018 by Arlene

The Lookout – Want to Get Away? Here are Three Great Options Close to Seattle

It’s normal to get stuck in a daily routine every once in a while. Sometimes you’re so busy that time just passes you by while others seem to roll along so slowly you think they may not end. And with the amount of rain we receive in Seattle, you’re going to go a little stir crazy and start craving an adventure every once in a while, even just a short jaunt.

While a cruise through the Caribbean or sipping a Mai Tai in Maui would be a lovely escape, did you know that there are many little weekender trips right here in Washington that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime?

Here are three favorite escapes from Seattle if you find yourself looking for a quick vacation this winter:

Leavenworth

For “Bavarian authenticity and Northwest hospitality” you’ll find no better spot in Washington than Leavenworth. A town that now looks like one you might flip through in a storybook, Leavenworth has transformed itself into a bustling small town that sees more than a million tourists each year, and for good reason.

You may already know that it’s a go-to Pacific Northwest spot to celebrate Oktoberfest in the fall, but it really is quite the gem year-round. In the winter, we recommend you partake in the Christmas Lighting Festival that’s held each Friday through Sunday from November 30-December 16. You can expect musical performances, sledding in Front Street Park, a traditional Gluwien tent, and even visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Then, return January 19-20 for Bavarian IceFest 2019 when you can see snow sculptures, live ice carvings, ice fishing, and much more.

Yes, as you see, Leavenworth can provide a relaxing holiday getaway as you stroll through town admiring the many sites, but it’s also an active community. Take your adventure one step further and try ice climbing or dog sledding, backcountry skiing or snowshoeing when you visit this wintery wonderland.

Visiting with kids in tow? Then don’t forget to stop by the one-of-a-kind Leavenworth Reindeer Farm where, by appointment only, your family can take a tour to remember. But don’t be shy because this is a hands-on opportunity to get up close, feeding the reindeer and petting their soft fur. Tours also include visits with pigs, chickens, horses, and you may even see geese.

The Lookout at Lake Chelan

The glacial Lake Chelan is a narrow 50.5 miles long and at the southeastern tip you will find a favorite stop off at The Lookout at Lake Chelan. This picturesque getaway is great all year, featuring a private marina and beach in the summer and campfires and snowman making and sledding in the winter. It’s also the best place to stay if you want to be in walking distance to town, where almost all the action takes place.

While it’s a fabulous destination just a few quick hours from Seattle, an ideal time to visit is during Winterfest, the best wintertime celebration in the state for nearly 30 years! Taking place this year from January 18-27, the local beverage lover won’t want to miss the wine walk, the foodie will want to make sure to attend SoupFest (January 18), and the whole family will enjoy the carriage rides, ice slide, and walking down magical Snowflake Lane.

Don’t worry if you can’t make it for the Winterfest fun though as there is always something going on around The Lookout at Lake Chelan. And with 300 days of sunshine, it’s the perfect escape from rainy Seattle. Slip on some snowshoes for a sunny, snowy stroll, strap on your skis and head off for a cross-country adventure, or take a ride between vineyards, which are open year-round to visitors.

Then, come back for a visit in spring when the wildflowers bloom, the birds begin chirping, and mountain biking season commences as there’s always a new adventure to be had when you stop by The Lookout at Lake Chelan.

Winthrop

With a population of just 439, you might be wondering why anyone would recommend visiting a place so desolate. In fact, you might be thinking places that small only existed in the past. Well, get ready to jump into a fun time machine because we’re taking you to the wild west. And, once the snow starts falling this western town turns into a winter adventurers dream location!

Are you into cross-country skiing? Then you must experience the Methow Valley. It’s great for beginners and experts alike with more than 200 kilometers of interconnected trails that are some of the best in all North America.

Is skating more your thing? Then stop by the outdoor Winthrop sports and ice rink for a day or evening session.

Do you miss mountain biking season? You must try a fat biking – literally, mountain biking in the snow along groomed trails!

While winter sports are fun, you should also make it a point to stop into the oldest legal saloon in Washington state. And, if you want to visit during a popular annual event, then the Snowshoe Softball Tournament held on February 16-17 is the one to watch. Or, sign up to participate as up to eight out-of-town teams are allowed in on this three-decade-old tradition.

Winthrop is a must-see if you live in Seattle and you want a quick getaway, but like the above, winter isn’t the only wonderful time for a visit as each season brings its own unique reason to come.

Sometimes you just need to step away from it all; put down the cell phone, remove yourself from the seemingly endless Seattle rain and go find an experience in your own backyard.

You don’t have to go far to feel like you’re in another world entirely and you’ll return home refreshed before work on Monday morning.

May 3, 2018 by Arlene

Golfing at Lake Chelan

If you’re an avid golfer, Lake Chelan is your dream destination. Located within a short driving distance of Lake Chelan Valley, each course is guaranteed to satisfy your golfing itch. Whether you’re a competitive golfer or you play just for fun, you’ll be sure to find what you are looking for.

Just ask local resident Weston Dillon Chelan, who has spent time golfing at every course in the area.

Let’s take a look at four of the best courses in and around Lake Chelan.

Gamble Sands

Located high above the Columbia River, Gamble Sands was built by Scottish architect David McLay Kidd. Just 45 minutes north of Lake Chelan, Gamble Sands’ views include the snow-capped Cascade Mountains, thousands of acres of apple and cherry orchards, and multiple river vistas. You won’t regret playing Gamble Sands!

Bear Mountain Ranch Golf Course

An 18-hole masterpiece, Bear Mountain Ranch Golf Course opened in 2005 with every hole designed to showcase lake and mountain views. This course is enjoyable for golfers of varying abilities and levels of experience.

Rock Island Golf Course

Located just outside East Wenatchee, Rock Island Golf Course has 18 new and revamped holes. Complete with views of the basalt cliffs in Central Washington, Rock Island will provide you with the views you are looking for. The course is well-groomed and offers some of the best fairways and greens in the area.

Alta Lake Golf Resort

Just 20 minutes from Chelan, Alta Lake Golf Course (located in Pateros) is one of the hidden gems of the Methow Valley. Although much of the resort was destroyed in the Carlton Complex Fire of 2014, Alta Lake Golf Resort revived itself with a brand new pro shop and maintenance facility. Not surprisingly, the course is even more beautiful than it was before! There is no doubt that you’ll enjoy playing at Alta Lake.

March 15, 2018 by Arlene

Best Hunting and Fishing Spots in the US

If you enjoy hunting and fishing, then finding new and exciting spots to visit is a great way to keep up with those sports. There are a variety of towns around the United States that boast great fishing or hunting areas. Regardless of whether you’re going for a weekend or longer, you may want to try out at least one of these spots for your next trip.

Appleton, Wisconsin

This is a great spot if you like both hunting and fishing as you’ll find a little of both in Appleton. Today, people come from around the states to hunt their large whitetail deer population. If you want to branch out into fishing, the Fox River or Lake Winnebago are prime walleye fisheries. Travel about 30 minutes north and you’ll find some great muskie and smallmouth bass fishing. This is a great location when you’ve got time to both hunt and fish.

Venice, Louisiana

Although most people think about this area as being the site of the Deepwater Horizon spill, the area has seen great recovery and remains probably the best place to hunt waterfowl and fish. In 2011, the Bassmaster Classic competitors traveled down the Mississippi starting in New Orleans down to Venice and filled their boats with largemouths. However, you can also find redfish if you’re more of a recreational fisherman. You can be sure that you’ll have a successful fishing trip every time that you set out on the water.

Rapid City, South Dakota

Also known as the gateway to the Black Hills region, this small town offers a wide range of both hunting and fishing opportunities. Take a trip west of Rapid City and you’ll be able to fish for brown, brook, and rainbow trout. You can also find reservoirs that hold panfish, pike, and largemouths. You can find hunting opportunities here throughout the year. The mountain area is home to whitetails, elk, turkeys, and mule deer in plentiful supply. A short trip will put you in range of pheasants, prairie chickens, and sharptails. If you enjoy hunting, make sure to visit a site like Max Blagg to make sure your gear is ready to go.

Centerville, Iowa

Just like its name suggests, Centerville is located in the middle of a hunter’s paradise. The whitetails hunted here have made headlines, but the southern central area of Iowa has a lot of hunting opportunities available throughout the year. You can hunt for turkeys and waterfowl and take your fishing trips here to Rathbun Lake. Fish for crappies and walleyes just north of town. Of note, the personal dimension of the town makes it a favorite spot to visit. The classic Midwestern square and friendliness of the residents make it a fun and welcoming place to visit for a yearly trip.

Although you may be an avid hunter or new to the sport, finding new places to enjoy is always a good experience. Consider planning out your trip to one of these spots. You can enjoy both hunting and fishing at these locations throughout the year.

March 1, 2018 by Arlene

What You’ll Miss When You Leave Washington DC

You’re lucky if you live in Washington DC. There are so many wonderful museums and sights to visit and you can even find inexpensive Washington National Airport parking every time you need to travel.

But it’s also possible that when you leave the DC area, you’ll miss a lot of sights that you took for granted. So, here are some of the things that may have you feeling homesick:

The multicultural vibe. Washington is extremely multicultural and in this aspect, it rivals even NYC. When the population of a city is extremely diverse, you enjoy a sense of open-mindedness and tolerance while cultural differences are actually celebrated. That’s not always the prevalent atmosphere in many other areas of the world.
The fantastic cuisine.Washington DC is a foodie’s city, and again that’s because of multiculturalism. With people coming from so many different cultures, you can try out various cuisines from all over the world. That includes Ethiopian food, as the city is actually one of the major enclaves of Ethiopians outside of Africa itself. Here you can enjoy Afghani kebabs served from food trucks, and the curry dishes are wonderfully authentic. Then of course if you’re away from Washington you’ll eventually the large spicy hotdog covered in spicy chili.
The formality of streetwear.At first you may actually want to leave a city where everyone seems to wear a suit day in and day out. It’s fun to go somewhere else where people dress more casually. But then after a while, you’ll miss that DC vibe where everyone seems to dress smartly. When you’re in a tourist spot where people don’t seem to care what you wear, it can get sartorially tiresome after a while.
The free cultural events.When you get to the UK or to Continental Europe, many of the museums and centers for culture and arts may require an entrance fee. That’s in stark contrast to Washington DC. At the DC Smithsonian museums, it’s free admission. At the Kennedy Center you can also enjoy plenty of free concerts. You also just pay what you can at the Wooly Mammoth Theater.
The reliable efficiency of getting things done.In DC, a lot of the people are what you’d call “Type A” personalities. They’re all ambitious and competitive. So just about everything works very quickly, and things get done. It can be a very jarring experience when you’re in another city where the bureaucracy works at a snail’s pace, and where people expect bribes simply for them to do their jobs. In some countries, getting a visa can be a paperwork nightmare.
It’s easier to get around in Washington.The layout of the capital city makes a lot of sense, especially when you compare it to the haphazard ways other cities can be set up. In Washington, it’s a lot easier to get around even if you’re a newbie to the city, as the alphabetical and numerical streets cross one another. You have the Washington Metro, which is not bad at all.

So yes, it’s true that Washington DC doesn’t have a fantastic beach, and there are no castles here with centuries of history either. But then you may get to a beach somewhere, and sooner rather than later you’ll just want to get back home to good old Washington.