We are passionate about enjoying our local natural treasures - Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, the Olympics and the Cascades -these natural wonders keep us in awe of Mother Nature and they're in our backyard! Some of our nearby attractions include the Chihuley Bridge of Glass and Museum, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, LeMay - America's Car Museum, Washington State History Museum, Cheney Stadium (baseball), Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Owen Beach, Rustin Way - great for a picnic and swim. Favorite things to do: a day trip to Port Townsend, ferry to San Juan Islands (this is a 1 or 2 night commitment & must have ferry reservations). Seattle - beautiful city, waterfront with large ferris wheel, space needle and Seattle Center (home of the 1962 World's Fair), ferries, Pike Place Market, Boeing Museum of Flight, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Our favorite place is Gig Harbor which is just 15 minutes away across the Narrows Bridge (have lunch at the Tides Tavern on the water). Rent paddle boards, enjoy the waterfront park, take in an outdoor concert (seasonal). Some places to visit as an overnight stay include: Leavenworth (Bavarian-style village in the Cascade Mountains (think Sound of Music beautiful - and see the outdoor play), Mount St. Helens (eruption 1980). One may also drive to Bremerton and take a one-hour ferry to Seattle (lovely trip). Snow covered Mount Rainier (The Mountain) is “out” frequently. It can be seen from almost any place in the region and is a stunning piece of nature. Its alpine lakes and waterfalls are a must-see. For winter home exchanges, the mountains and passes provide some of the best snow skiing in the world. We have Crystal (Mt. Rainier), Snoqualmie Pass, White Pass, Mt. Bachelor... Puget Sound is home to a lot of sea life; scuba diving is popular. If you enjoy the outdoors, the ferry will also take you to various places including Victoria, British Columbia. This is a breathtaking trip and probably my number one recommendation for sightseeing (a 1-2 night stay). We take the ferry from Anacortes, but hydrofoils and cruise ships make the trip from downtown Seattle within a couple of hours. The historic Empress Hotel in Victoria is wonderful – a very worthwhile journey and destination. Another route to Victoria (Vancouver Island) is crossing the Straight of Juan de Fuca which takes about one hour. We dedicate at least two local trips per year to the Port Townsend which is an old, Victorian seaport only an hour and a half away. We particularly enjoy camping at Fort Flagler State Park where we can watch the ferry to Whidbey Island from our campsite. It glides quietly across the Sound all day, and into the night – a beautiful sight. Since the campground is directly on the Straight and Admiralty Inlet (shipping lanes), we watch ocean going vessels all day too. Whether you’re on shore or in a boat, you’re sure to see seals in any part of Puget Sound. Port Townsend is also full of Victorian bed and breakfast establishments. It’s a quiet, small town where everything is within walking distance – movies, shopping, restaurants, the pier…. An early morning walk to enjoy the sunrise is an absolute must. Part of the town is on a bluff and the view of the Sound is awesome. The Pacific ocean beaches are a two-hour drive. If you enjoy lighthouses, there are several along the Sound and coast.

Seattle is famous for the Space Needle and its waterfront. Pike Place Market is a farmer’s market with a lot of seafood (and local crafts). It’s a beautiful city complete with professional sports, many live theaters, and art galleries.