Padilla Bay
Padilla Bay- Pass-none, parking limited Difficutly-1/5 Rating-2.5/5 Since we are gearing up to jump in with both feet on our house remodel, AND we had a nice weather, we decided to go on a hike to … [Read more…]
Adventures in the Northwest
Christmas 2018
This was actually our first Christmas away from family. Last Christmas we were in Washington, but the McBrides came up to have Christmas with us. In Arizona we were close to family so we would spend the holidays with them. This year it was just us! I was actually looking forward to having Christmas with … [Read more…]
October 2017
October was a great month for us! Not only only did we have a great trip to Mexico and Arizona, but we did a lot of fun things in the Pacific Northwest! The day after we got home from Mexico it was Ryan’s and my birthday! I gave Ryan the option of going to school … [Read more…]
First Trip to Canada
Chris and I got our first passports at almost the same time 10 years ago…which meant that we needed to renew our passports at the same time and that time was now! Since we were renewing our passports we thought it would be a good time to get the kids their own passports as well. … [Read more…]
Rock Climbing Vantage Washington
Chris has been wanting to learn how to lead climb for awhile now so he finally took a class. (Climbing your rope up the top of the rock.) The class was in Vantage Washington about 2 1/2 hours away from us. Chris learned to lead climb and had a blast. He really loved this spot … [Read more…]
Backpacking Watson Lake
Watson/Anderson Lakes- Pass-Northwest Forest Pass Difficulty-3.5/5 (kids rating) Rating-5/5 Summer is coming to a close so over the Labor Day Holiday we decided to say goodbye to summer in an epic way, a family backpacking trip! There was so much we wanted to do this summer; so much we accomplished this … [Read more…]
Sourdough Ridge
Sourdough Ridge 2.5 mile loop, 400 feet elevation gain Pass-Pay to get into Mt. Rainier National Park Difficulty-2/5 (with kids) Rating-5/5 This summer we have picked up a few new hobbies, (kayaking and rock climbing) so we have neglected hiking. This past weekend we decided that it was time to go … [Read more…]
Aunt B is Back!
Sares Head-.75 miles there and back. 150 elevation gain Pass-none Difficulty-1/5 Rating-5/5 After our Utah road trip Beth was able to drive back with me and the kids and spend a few days with us in Seattle! She was leaving for Thailand August 17, so this would be her last hurrah … [Read more…]
Climbing in Leavenworth Round 2
Chris was looking forward to rock climbing outside again so we decided we would go again this weekend. Out of the three places we’ve been (Mt. Erie-kind of…, Exit 38, and Leavenworth) Leavenworth has been my favorite. Mt. Erie is really cool, but its kind of scary with kids. Most of the routes are on … [Read more…]
Outdoor Climbing in Leavenworth
We’ve been to Leavenworth several times and have had a great time every time we’ve been. When we hiked Icicle Creek last October we saw a ton of people out climbing and bouldering. We also read that a ton of good rock climbing in Washington is in Leavenworth so we figured it was time for … [Read more…]
Crystal Mountain Gondola Rides
Last summer we spent most of our time house hunting, and then buying and moving into our home. We didn’t necessarily “waste” that summer, because we still did a lot of fun things. We just didn’t live it up to its full potential. This winter was particular long, wet, and cold so when summer did … [Read more…]
First time Climbing Outside, Exit 38
Chris and Ryan have been rocking climbing at Vertical World and YMCA since November. Chris has been wanting to go rock climbing outside for a long time. When Chris’ family came down this summer, Chris, Bryan, Brianna, and Michael hired a guide and they went rock climbing at Mt. Erie. The guide was able to … [Read more…]
McBrides Take over the Pacific Northwest
Sares Head- .75 miles there and back. 150 elevation gain Pass-none Difficulty-1/5 Rating-5/5 Chris’ dad, Bryan, teaches at a college in Arizona so every summer he has off. Chris’ mom, Nadine is a stay at home, and his siblings, Michael and Brianna are/were in high school. Since everyone has the summer … [Read more…]
Kayak Camping with the McBrides
Trail to the Cedar Grove on Long Island 2 miles, limited elevation gain Pass-none Difficulty-1/5 Rating-2/5 Ever since we got our kayaks we thought doing a kayak camping trip would be awesome! We wanted our kayak trip to basically be a backpacking trip, but instead of hiking we would paddle … [Read more…]
Kayaking for Crabs at Mats Mats Bay
We have really enjoyed our kayaks this summer and we have really enjoyed crabbing. This weekend we decided that we would go crabbing again. I put Chris in charge of picking out a place to go and he chose Mats Mats Bay near Port Ludlow. Its on the other side of Whidbey Island. Its only … [Read more…]
