Lakewold Gardens in University Place, Washington (photo by Cheryl Landes) Learn about some of the trees in the Lakewold Gardens in University Place, Washington, south of Tacoma, in a series of virtual tours. John Wilcox, a long-time volunteer at the gardens, leads these seven tours. Each tour features a different tree. The seven videos are … Continue reading Take seven virtual tree tours at Lakewold Gardens
Pacific Northwest
Take a guided twilight snowshoe tour at Ski White Pass

A view of Mount Rainier near White Pass in the Washington Cascades (photo by Cheryl Landes) Join a guide at Ski White Pass for a snowshoe tour by moonlight this winter. The tours start at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and end at either 5:45 or 6 p.m., depending on conditions. Check-in and departure are at … Continue reading Take a guided twilight snowshoe tour at Ski White Pass
Go snow tubing at Ski White Pass

A view of Mount Rainier near White Pass in the Washington Cascades (photo by Cheryl Landes) The tubing hill is open at Ski White Pass. Sessions are at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday, and at 9:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m., and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. A pass including a … Continue reading Go snow tubing at Ski White Pass
Warm body and soul, win prizes at a soup walk in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood January 27-31

Warm up with some soup-er soups at the Fremont Soupocalypse in Seattle from Wednesday, January 27, through Sunday, January 31. Pick up a passport at one of the participating restaurants in the Fremont neighborhood, collect four or more stamps, and win a prize basket. Prizes include a certificate for a free tasting for two at … Continue reading Warm body and soul, win prizes at a soup walk in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood January 27-31
Stream “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, January 18

Armchair photo tours: Does the world’s largest egg reside in Winlock, Washington?

The World's Largest Egg in Winlock, Washington (photo by Cheryl Landes) In the small town of Winlock, south of Olympia, Washington, a giant egg rests on a pedestal on a 10-foot-tall blue metal pole in the middle of Vern Zander Memorial Park at the corner of Old Highway 603 and Fir Street. The 12-foot-long, 1,200-pound … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Does the world’s largest egg reside in Winlock, Washington?
Sledding area open at Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier, Washington (photo by Cheryl Landes) The sledding runs, known as the Snowplay Area, opened at Mount Rainier National Park on January 10 for the season. The Snowplay Area is the only designated sledding area and the safest place to go sledding at Mount Rainier National Park. The area is suitable for children, and … Continue reading Sledding area open at Mount Rainier
Armchair photo tours: Salmon spawning season at Carkeek Park in Seattle

Piper's Creek at Carkeek Park in Seattle Photos by Cheryl Landes From November through January, the salmon return to Carkeek Park in northwest Seattle after a long journey at sea. The journey marks the end of their life cycle and the start of a new one as they lay eggs in the creek. By the … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Salmon spawning season at Carkeek Park in Seattle
Armchair photo tours: The Sediment Retention Structure at Mount St. Helens

A view from the Sediment Retention Structure at Mount St. Helens Photos by Cheryl Landes On May 18, 1980, when Mount St. Helens erupted, the blast deposited more than three billion cubic yards of sediment into the Toutle River Basin, covering 32 miles with an average depth of 150 feet. Mudflows filled the Cowlitz River … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: The Sediment Retention Structure at Mount St. Helens
Armchair photo tours: A trip to Mount St. Helens, 40 years post-eruption

Photos by Cheryl Landes May 20, 2020 marked the fortieth anniversary of the eruption of Mount St. Helens. I lived in Northeastern Oregon when the volcano erupted and still remember the experience like it was yesterday. The town of La Grande, where I lived, was on the southern fringe of the ash path. Our usual … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: A trip to Mount St. Helens, 40 years post-eruption