Peter Greenberg: Touring the Northwest United States
By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org | 2009-03-23
I have a Scottish cousin about same age, coming for a three-week visit. She's only been to the East Coast, but this will be her first trip to see me here in the Northwest. I know the weather is possibly going to present a problem for driving over passes, but I'd like to show her as much as I can locally and along the West Coast and inland, if possible. I'm open to maybe flying to a location but prefer driving.
I belong to AAA, but thought you'd be able to broaden the perspective. Thanks.
–Sharon, Spokane Valley, Wash.
For a driving trip, why not start out with a winery or two near Spokane, Wash.? In the areas near Walla Walla and Yakima, you'll find a plethora of vineyards as you head across the state. Perhaps surprisingly, Washington is the second-largest wine producer in the United States after California. I'm guessing your cousin will be as surprised by this fact as most Americans are.
Of course, if you prefer beer to wine, Washington's got you covered, too. Near Seattle, you'll find the Red Hook Brewery in Woodinville, Wash., which offers daily tours and tastings. Visit
redhook.com for more.
On the way toward Seattle, you might stop off at Mt. Rainier National Park; its roads should be opening for the season in late May. This park offers a diverse array of nature (temperate rainforest and mountain vistas) and activities, including hiking, biking, and much more.
For more information, go here.
On the coast of Washington, consider a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway (also known as U.S. Highway 101) into Olympic National Park, Wash., and possibly into Canada. Going south would take you into Oregon, another good possibility.
And what visit to the Pacific Northwest would be complete without taking in some of the area's stunning forests? If you're traveling south along U.S. Highway 101 into Oregon, the Siuslaw National Forest is an excellent option.
For more information, go here.
Another fun side trip might be a jaunt to Victoria Island, British Columbia, accessible via ferry from Seattle. Once there, don't miss the famed
Butchart Gardens, a truly scenic spot located in a former limestone quarry.
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