Washington - Mike's Road Trip

Pike Place Market: A century-old gem that still shines, even when its cloudy.

Mike Shubic September 7th, 2019 1 Comment

Pike Place Market is the crown jewel of Seattle. With a mix of fishmonger's, florists, local farmers to restaurateurs and entertainers, it's no wonder why Pike Place is such a popular place among visitors and locals alike. The vast array of sounds, vibrant colors, textures, aromas and flavors, will put...

San Juan Islands road trip

Mike Shubic July 28th, 2016 9 Comments

Snugly ensconced between Northwestern Washington and Vancouver Island is a collection of landmasses that yield to the ebb and flow of the Salish Sea. The 172 islands, each with its own distinct appeal, are known collectively as the San Juan Islands. Only four of the islands are serviced by the...

Riding the Washington State Ferries

Mike Shubic October 21st, 2013 Comments Off

Washington State Ferries is an integral part of the transportation system; most of the routes are to destinations within the Puget Sound area of Seattle. While the ferry system is used as daily transportation for many commuting to work in Seattle, the ferries are also a great way for tourists...

Olympic Peninsula Road Trip Guide and Map

Mike Shubic February 8th, 2013 21 Comments

Your complete Olympic Peninsula road trip guide in Washington state You don’t have to drive the full 300+ mile loop around the Olympic Peninsula, but if you do, you’ll see picturesque shoreline, waterfalls, pristine lakes, mountain views and even a rainforest. Start your trip with a ferry ride from downtown Seattle...

Whidbey Island: “The shortest distance to far away”

Mike Shubic December 4th, 2012 Comments Off

Have you ever been to a place so close to a big city, yet so far removed? One example that comes to mind is Central Park in New York City. Central Park is smack dab in the middle of one of the busiest and most populated cities in the world,...

Alki Beach – The sunny side of a cloudy city

Mike Shubic February 1st, 2012 7 Comments

Alki Beach is a popular coastal community located in the most westerly point of West Seattle, jutting out into the Pudget Sound. Alki is one of my favorite places in the city. During the morning hours you can grab a cup-a-joe from your preferred coffee shop and take a stroll...

Jimgermanbar in Waitsburg, WA

Mike Shubic January 2nd, 2012 4 Comments

While I was in Walla Walla, Washington staying at the ever-so-quaint Fat Duck Inn, the proprietor (Alexa) invited to take me to this up-and-coming little town about 20 miles north called, Waitsburg. Founded in 1859, Waitsburg is a cute town that seems to be reemerging as a hip destination with...

‘Rachel’ You’re one Serene Mountain Lake

Mike Shubic October 8th, 2011 2 Comments

It was early Fall when my cousin Nick and I decided to do an overnight backpacking trip to a mountain lake we had researched. The weather was absolutely spectacular for this time of year, and, since we went mid-week, we saw very few people on the trail and we were...

Avoid the headaches, take the Seattle Water Taxi

Mike Shubic September 6th, 2011 3 Comments

Driving and parking in or around downtown Seattle is about as fun as poking needles in your eyes. If you live near West Seattle, thankfully there is an easy and convenient way to reach many of the wonderful attractions that downtown Seattle has to offer...the Water Taxi. The Seattle Water...

Visiting Leavenworth, WA in the Winter

Mike Shubic March 21st, 2011 16 Comments

If you want to get into the holiday spirit, there is no place better to do so than a visit to Leavenworth, Washington. This Bavarian themed city is located in the central part of Washington State and provides all the necessary ingredients for a fun-filled time during the winter months...

Vantage Bridge Wild Horses Monument Display

Mike Shubic March 19th, 2011 Comments Off

The Vantage Bridge Wild Horses Monument Display is located smack dab in the middle of Washington State, off of the eastbound lanes of I-90, just east of the Columbia River. This horse sculpture/display was created by artist David Govedare and is perched atop a hill overlooking the Columbia River below. ...

Exploring Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park

Mike Shubic November 18th, 2010 2 Comments

Hurricane Ridge is located in the Olympic National Park, just above the Port Angeles area. The drive up to the visitor’s center takes about a half an hour, not because of the distance, but because of the long windy scenic road. A ways up you start getting the first overlooks,...

Fun Foraging at Fort Flagler

Mike Shubic November 11th, 2010 Comments Off

Part of the Harbor Defense of Puget Sound, Fort Flagler, along with Fort Worden and Fort Casey once guarded the entrance to Puget Sound. These posts, established in the late 1890s, became the first line of defense to prevent a hostile fleet from reaching the Bremerton Naval Yard and the...

Marymere Falls, A Jewel in the Pacific Northwest

Mike Shubic November 11th, 2010 3 Comments

Located near Lake Crescent Lodge, along the northern border of the Olympic National Park, Marymere Falls is a popular hike among visitors. Steep mountain ridges rise up around the area making the hike quite picturesque. It isn’t the highest or most dramatic waterfall I’ve ever seen, but certainly worth the...

A Trek Through the Sol Duc Rainforest

Mike Shubic November 9th, 2010 Comments Off

Located on the western side of the Olympic National Park, Sol Duc is believed to be an Indian term meaning sparkling water—which is appropriate for an area so abundant with crystal-clear H2O. For over 100 years people have been flocking to the Sol Duc Hot Springs for pleasure and health...