About Northwest TripFinder

favorite places, inspired getaways.

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  Can anyone steer me towards some discount coupons for the Victoria Clipper?

  0 0 I concur with SoundsLikePuget on the dramamine. The Clipper is a small boat compared to a ferry, and the Strait has those rolls of an open ocean. The Clipper occasionally runs specials and Groupon-type coupons. It's been awhile since I've seen one, but we're just coming off the high season. Also, the specials usually involve a package, bundling your hotel room into the deal. I must say, you plan your getaways well in advance! Northwest TripFinder answered in Regional Trips 7 months ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

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  Herman Cain's 9-9-9 plan: plagaristic evil ripoff of Simcity, or sly evil plan to kill small businesses?

  1 0 I am a Simcity know-nothing, so I can't answer that. But I do know that 9+9=18, which would add up to an 18% sales tax for Washington state. And if that's not a small business killer, well then I don't know what is. Northwest TripFinder answered in Intl/Ntl News & Politics 7 months ago Answer, comment & read 2 more answers »

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  How do you pronounce "Padilla Bay" in Skagit County?

  1 0 WELL, I am not from Skagit County, but I've gone birding (birdwatching) there a number of times because it's a birding hotspot, and the birders all pronounce it "Pa- DILL-uh" Bay. Northwest TripFinder answered in Regional Trips 7 months ago Answer, comment & read 5 more answers »

• Comment on Northwest TripFinder's answer…

  0 0 The permits for overnight camping up there DO ease up after Labor Day (and they run a lottery system for additional permits every morning at the local ranger station) but you don't need a permit for a day hike. Note, this is a difficult hike though, and hiking there in October carries some additional risk in the way of possible snow. Northwest TripFinder commented 7 months ago

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  When and where can I see the western larches turn?

  1 0 The peak window for larches varies year to year depending on weather / moisture, but is usually mid-October. The best way to track the progress of larches is to keep an eye on hikers' trip reports at Washington Trails Association's website, wta.org: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports There aren't any reports that I can see of larches yet; it's too early. Larches are pretty high in elevation, so the best viewing is done by hiking up to them. The Enchantment Lakes Basin is one of the best hikes in the state for larches if you time it right. Carne Mountain st Stevens Pass has a big stand of larches. Lake Ann / Maple Pass Loop off the North Cascades Highway is one of the easier hikes to see larches. See this piece on Fall Color Hikes at wta.org: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/seasonal-hikes/fall-destinations/copy_of_fall-hikes Northwest TripFinder answered in Regional Trips 7 months ago Answer and comment »

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  Are there any good outdoor rock climbing spots that you can get to by bus?

  0 0 I don't know about climbing spots. Washington Trails Association has some information about bus-accessible trailheads up in the Issaquah Alps. Maybe some of these suggestions are climbing spots, too? How to Hike by Bus Hiking Via Transit         Northwest TripFinder answered in Regional Trips 9 months ago Answer and comment »

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  Lopez for two nights

  0 0 Sounds like you have a great plan, and honestly Lopez is the San Juan Island where you don't really want too much of an agenda, you know? You can get by with just your bikes on Lopez if you want to. Bringing your car? Wave to passing cars. It is the Lopez way! I love a small county park on the southwest end of the island called Agate Beach County Park. It's a perfect picnic lunch spot or place to spend an afternoon reading or just chillin (as we're doing there in the photo below!)  Spencer Spit is also awesome (and our fave place to camp) and that's a State Park, so remember now you will need a Discover Pass to enter a State Park for day use. Northwest TripFinder answered in Regional Trips 9 months ago Answer, comment & read 2 more answers »

• Follow Following 1 Are there any good outdoor rock climbing spots that you can get to by bus? NatL asked Northwest TripFinder in Regional Trips 9 months ago 1 Answer by Northwest TripFinder…

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  Where can I find a cabin on or near a lake where I can take my family swimming, etc.?

  1 0 I know! I grew up fishing and swimming in northern Wisconsin. You pretty much have to drive to Eastern Washington to find that experience here, especially of you want warm water! I've been to Pearrygin Lake State Park near Winthrop. It's cool, but it doesn't have the ice cream stand / tackle store thing going on, at least it didn't while I was there. Still, cabins on a lake, fishing and swimming. I think you might enjoy a place like Sun Lakes Resort or Silver Beach Resort more. Sun Lakes is not that far - maybe four hours tops. Northwest TripFinder answered in Regional Trips 9 months ago Answer, comment & read 4 more answers »

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  Driving to Utah versus flying

  1 0 The Grand Canyon is not anywhere nearby :D We've made the trip by car a few times times, usually continuing our trip for hiking in south Utah, and we often find it is cheaper to drive with all of our gear than fly with it. We camp on the way though, either in Idaho or Oregon. If you're going to stay overnight and you don't have a bunch of gear to check, it may be cheaper to fly. FWIW, a co-worker just flew RT Seattle to SLC for $250, and she bought her ticket two weeks before her trip. I would think for two people at airfare that low, it's best to fly. Northwest TripFinder answered in Regional Trips 9 months ago Answer, comment & read 5 more answers »

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