Featured image credit: Clark County Public Works After a delay exceeding seven years, construction for the Otto Brown Neighborhood Park in unincorporated Clark County east of Vancouver, Washington, starts on Thursday, February 15, according to a report in the Columbian newspaper. The park is expected to open in late August 2018. The construction delays were … Continue reading Construction begins on new park set to open fall 2018 near Vancouver, WA

Featured image credit: Methow Trails If you're planning to ski in the Race of the Methow in northcentral Washington Saturday-Sunday, February 10-11, register now! Registration closes at midnight on Thursday, February 8. After that, no more registrations will be accepted. Register here. Races start at 9 a.m. on both days at the McCabe Trails at … Continue reading Race of the Methow on February 10-11, registration ends at midnight February 8

Featured image: A walrus encounter at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington (photo by Cheryl Landes) Friday-Saturday, February 10-11, the animals at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma are getting special nutrient-rich heart-shaped treats and toys in celebration of Valentine's Day. You're invited to watch and share the love. Here's … Continue reading Love at the Zoo returns to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma February 10-11

Featured image: A historic dining car decorated for a Valentine dinner in Chattanooga, Tennessee (photo credit: Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum) Enjoy a relaxing four-course meal aboard a restored 1924 dining car from early to mid-February on the Valentine Dinner Train in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Trains depart the Chattanooga Grand Station at 4119 Cromwell Road for the … Continue reading Valentine Dinner Train a leisurely ride through history in Chattanooga, TN

Featured image credit: Morton Arboretum Enjoy a miniature world of trains at the Enchanted Railroad through Monday, February 19, at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois. More than 10 model trains wind through a collection of trees from around the world at a child-friendly height. Entry to Enchanted Railroad is included with admission to the … Continue reading Enchanted Railroad through February 19 at Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL

Featured image: A ski team dresses in costume for a previous Methow Valley Ski for Women event. (photo credit: Methow Valley Ski for Women) Whether you've never cross-country skied or you've done it for a long time, the Methow Valley Ski for Women on Sunday, February 4, in Mazama, Washington, is for you. Now in … Continue reading Methow Valley Ski for Women welcomes all cross-country skiing abilities February 4 in Mazama, WA

Featured image credit: Methow Trails Snowshoeing is my winter hiking. It's a nice way to get outside and enjoy the scenery. Walking is among the best ways to keep healthy, so for a low-impact workout, snowshoeing is ideal. On Saturdays through February 24, Methow Trails, the US Forest Service, and Atlas Snowshoes sponsor Nature of … Continue reading Snowshoe tours on Saturdays through February 24 in Winthrop, WA

Photo by Cheryl Landes In celebration of World Wetlands Day, the Oregon Zoo is offering free admission to everyone all day today, Saturday, February 3. Hours are 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The Oregon Zoo is located at 4001 SW Canyon Road in Portland. Pay parking is available, but the lot fills quickly on the weekends. The … Continue reading Oregon Zoo celebrates World Wetlands Day with free admission February 3

Featured image: A gingerbread houseboat from a previous Christmas Ship parade on the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon (photo by Cheryl Landes) The 2018 schedule for the Christmas Ships Fleet in Portland is posted for the Columbia and Willamette River fleets. The fleets will sail November 30-December 20. Routes vary, so check the pages linked … Continue reading Portland’s Christmas Ship fleet announces 2018 holiday parade schedule. They’re also at the Portland Winter Light Festival, February 1-3.

Photos by Cheryl Landes After successful runs in Minnesota, Washington State, and Oklahoma, the Chinese Lantern Light Festival is coming to San Francisco Friday, March 2, through Sunday, April 29. Tickets are now on sale for the San Francisco Lantern Light Festival. If you go, I recommend buying tickets online, because they’re more expensive at … Continue reading San Francisco Lantern Light Festival coming in March, tickets on sale now