On a warm summer day, we headed to Locke, California to a pear orchard! Our main goal was to pick lots of delicious pears, though we did make a stop in the town to browse around. Locke is listed as a National Historic Landmark District because of its preservation of what a rural Chinatown looked like when Chinese immigrants arrived at the Sacramento-San...Read More

Some say that if they ever attended this school, they would study in this hall every day. The high ceilings and antique style are reminiscent of the Great Hall featured in the Harry Potter movies and other libraries at prominent universities in England. To the students of the University of Washington, this is the Graduate Reading Room of the Suzzallo Library. Suzzallo Library,...Read More

This eleven story library, with books and collections organized by their call number for each floor is a modern take on a library. With numerous computer terminals, desks to do research and study, and chairs to lounge, Seattle Central Library invites the local community to spend time in a public space. Each floor is accessible by luminous neon yellow escalators that travel up...Read More

Legend has it that Klallam and Quiluete tribes of the area were fighting in the area. Mount Storm King heard of this fight and threw a boulder down, damming the rivers, forming the present-day Lake Crescent. This lake is the second deepest in the state of Washington and the phenomenal colors of the area slow down traffic quite a bit as people want...Read More

Surprisingly, after passing through the heavily trafficked Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center parking lot, few people were attempting the Hurricane Hill trail. This trail is wonderful for its views of the mountain range that forms part of Olympic National Park, the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Vancouver Island. The views are wonderfully expansive and from what I've seen in movies...Read More

Every July, Sequim hosts the Lavender Festival of Washington. The timing of my visit didn't coincide with the festival. Instead, I visited a local farm to see what it's like. The lavender at Jardin du Soleil was so beautiful. The round bushy lavender plants were so cute, and I had no idea that there were so many varieties of lavender! I'm not sure what the...Read More

Pike Place Market is one of those must-visit places when visiting Seattle. Sure, the market is touristy, but it's still a functioning market that sells local products, seafood, flowers, and delicious eats. I've compiled a couple places that are my favorite. Check them out! Piroshky Piroshky 1908 Pike Place, Seattle, Washington This small shop is stocked with delightful pies filled with different flavors...Read More

Two places immediately come to mind when people mention Seattle: the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. Those are definitely the two spots to place on everyone's itinerary for a first-time visit to Seattle. What about the places surrounding the Needle? Below are some spots that are worth a visit. Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, Washington Admission: $22; discounts...Read More

If there's ever a hot day in the Bay Area, head to the coastal areas like Half Moon Bay for cooler weather. For beach access, head to Cowell Beach Ranch! A short walk from the parking lot leads to an overlook that boasts views of seals in the springtime. Early summer yields yellow wildflowers carpeting the hillside. There are also some benches scattered...Read More