Day Four - Roadtrip 1

The end of the trip! We woke up to a foggy and rainy last day. The famed Seattle weather! We really did not have time to linger around, a few photos of the foggy seas and sea birds we were off. It was a good 100 mile drive to Seattle along with the rush hour traffic, construction and the persistent drizzle. We made it in good time for our mid-day flight to Houston.

Houston's famed thunderstorms resulted in some flight delays but we were home in good time with amazing memories and great pictures. And that was our Seattle road trip!

Read all our trip here

The plan
Day Zero
Day One
Day Two
Day Three

Day Three - Roadtrip 1

We rise with the birds and it was the same on day 3 of our trip. We headed out early to check out the island bathing in the morning light. The weather was chilly and air clear. Our first stop was at the Deception Pass State Park, probably the most photographed place in the island. It is a sight to take in, pristine waters, tall trees and the hanging bridge.

The famous Deception pass bridge that connects Fidalgo and Whidbey islands

As we drove around the island, we realized that most of the island is mountainous and the vegetation is far from the tropical beachy island types. The coniferous and ferns doted the area making it feel like those summer destinations of Ooty and Kodaikanal which we used to frequent as kids.

We were back at the Heron House for breakfast and the it was a view to take in. Its located along the western side of the island and is on the water. The foggy water with herons, gulls, ducks, loons and geese dotting the water, it was just awesome. A wonderful breakfast and we were off.

Early morning view from our Bed and Breakfast

Our plan for the day, was to head to the Olympic Peninsula and take in as much as we can. It was a big plan as the only way to reach the Olympic Peninsula was by means of the ferry. A good 60 minute drive along the Fidalogo and Whidbey Islands to Keystone for the ferry, 30 minutes on the ferry, another 1 1/2 hours drive to reach Port Angeles - the closest town to the Olympic National Park and back by nightfall to Heron House.

The drive along the islands to Keystone starts along the western coast of the Fidalgo island and then crosses over the Deception pass bridge into the Whidbey island as we head south on Hwy 20. Whidbey island in contrast to the Fidalgo island is considerably flatter, with a more rolling terrain and agrarian land. The main town on this island, Oak Harbor seems more like a regular suburban town than the touristy Anacortes. After an hour long drive, we finally arrived at the Ferry station. A short wait later, the ferry arrives and we are loaded in. Parking the car, we climbed up to the passenger deck to take in the views of the strait as ferry pulled away.

Climbing aboard the ferry to the Olympic peninsula

In about half an hour, we had reached Port Townsend on the Olympic peninsula and were quickly back on the road towards Port Angeles. The nearly 50 mile drive took about an hour and a half due to the twisting and turning road. The strait runs on one side of the road, and the lush hills adorn the other side all along. There are numerous lavender farms and wildlife viewing areas along the way, but we kept going as time was limited this trip. At Port Angeles, we turn towards the mountains and get on the road to Hurricane Ridge.

The Olympic National forest is known for it interesting mix of ecosystems, with rainforests, beaches and high mountains thrown in. Our first destination was the mountains. Climbing the road to hurricane ridge, we first pass through miles of lush forest and as we ascend, the vegetation changes to conifers and lush grassland with a lot of wildflowers.

Conifers and grassland on the climb to Hurrican Ridge

As we reach the top, at about 5500 ft above seal level, the fog was thick, visibility was really short and the brisk wind is chilly. Shortly, however the fog lifts ever so slightly to reveal a beautiful vista of meadows and peaks. On a clear day, we should be able to spot Mt. Rainier, but the fog is thick enough to deny us that sight.

The fog rises ever so slightly to reveal beautiful meadows and peaks

A few photographs and a hot cocoa at the Hurricane ridge visitor center later, we are back on our way down. Back at Port Angeles, we grab a quick lunch and decide that we need to head back to Port Townsend to catch a timely ferry back to Anacortes. We missed the rain forests and famed beaches of the Olympic Peninsula but there is always the next time. We make it in good time for the ferry and trace our way back to our B&B. This is when the realization strikes that the trip is coming to an end and we are to fly back to Houston the next day!

A relaxing dinner and packing of our suitcases we were all set for the next day.

Day 3 ends and H-town here we come!

Day Two - Roadtrip1

Waking up on day 2, we were refreshed and raring to continue on our way around the Cascade Loop. But first, there was breakfast. After devouring the fresh breakfast served by our hostess, we spent some time photographing from the porch and then we were off.

The plan for the day was to reach Anacortes by nightfall, stopping along the way at the many quaint towns and scenic viewpoints that dot the loop. The first thing we noticed was the landscape had changed dramatically from the first day. The mountains were as massive as behind us, but now apparently on the leeward side, the land was noticeably drier and pines had given way to shrubs. The stream still flowed by the roadside and it was contrasting to note the flowing water on one side and dry land on the other. Our first stop was barely 20 minutes from Leavenworth. The small town of Cashmere is apparently named after Kashmir, due to its beauty! The town is known for its special candy made from apples and apricots, called applets and cotlets. Driving around, the town felt like it was from a wild west movie.

Cashmere, WA - the apple town. Notice the dry mountains in the picture below. We were in the leeward side now. The River Wentachee flows along.
It joins the River Columbia at Wentachee, a few miles from Cashmere.

Our next stop was at the town of Wenatchee, specifically the famed Ohme gardens. This private garden has a beautiful landscaped and paved area with many small pools and awesome views all around. It is filled with conifers and it stood out in the dry scrub landscape all around it.

Ohme gardens, rugged landscape turned green

Leaving Wenatchee we took Hwy Alt-97 towards Lake Chelan. There are so many scenic vistas on the way, with the Columbia river flowing by the roadside. The Columbia is a massive river and it flows all the way into the Pacific Ocean near Portland, Or. We saw a couple of dams to harness the river and the large reservoirs they formed were the hub of water sports and activities.

Views along the road, dry mountains and dammed water.

We arrived at the town of Chelan, on the southern tip of Lake Chelan just in time for lunch. After a quick bite at a Thai/Italian(!!) restaurant, we took a walk by the waterside. Lake Chelan is a huge lake actually the third deepest one in the US and the town itself is similar to any typical American town on the lake. It thrives on touristy activities like water sports and rentals, waterfront shops and restaurants.

Lake Chelan

The drive from Chelan to the North Cascades National Forest is dotted with small cowboy towns like Pateros, Methow, Twisp, Winthrop and Mazama and along the way, we got on Hwy 20 West. Upon crossing Mazama, we entered the 70 mile stretch of the North Cascade national forest. This is a gorgeous stretch as the landscape changes to magnificent peaks with ice at the top and coniferous vegetation start to appear. Along the way are two glacial lakes, Ross Lake and Diablo Lake. The distinctive color of each lake (Ross is teal, Diablo is jade) is caused by finely ground rock dust suspended in the water and reflecting the green of the forest and the blue of the sky. Beyond the lakes, the road descends fast, and there are a couple of waterfalls as we head out of the national forest. There are numerous hiking trails and if you have sometime hit the trails.

The Cascades. Amazing views and a wonderful drive

The Diablo Lake with its amazing jade color.

The teal colored Ross Lake

Outside the national forest, it was more rural landscape that we sped through to reach our destination. The landscape had quickly changed to flat land and we crossed the bridge into Fidalgo island where Anacortes is situated. Islands always remind you flat lands with pretty beaches all around and palm trees swaying but Anacortes is not the flat beach side we expected. Ups and downs, narrow roads, mountains on one side, sea on the other, it was a sight! We quickly found our destination, Heron House Guest Suites and checked in. Too tired to do anything else, we hit the sack.

And that was day 2.

Day One - Roadtrip 1

Day One of our trip was something unlike the typical rainy days Seattle is know for. It was bright, sunny and wonderful outside. It was a photographer's dream day with clear skies and bright light. Our hosts gave us a whirlwind tour of Seattle's best spots to enjoy times together and capture memories. We first headed out for a walk along the Olympic Sculpture Park. The ambiance and the art were an added bonus to the spectacular downtown and bay views.

A view of the Elliot's bay from the Olympic Sculptures Park

Kerry Park was our next destination. It is a photographer's spot, with views of the city and the bay and Mt.Rainier as a backdrop it is picture perfect. Mt.Rainier was not really clear but it still was a good place to sit, soak up the sun and enjoy those rare moments we get to spend with friends.

A view from Kerry's Park, can you make out Mt. Rainier at a distance?

Our final destination was Seattle's very own Pike Place Market.The energy of this place is amazing. The colors, the exotic scents, the blooms are a sight by itself. It was just a cleaner version of the Indian markets and you need to be there to experience it. Since we were on a trip we really could not shop there and a few pictures later we were off. A laid back lunch and it was time for us to get on the road.

Sights from Pike Market, fresh produce (above) and colorful chili strands (below)

Our plan was to reach Leavenworth by nightfall. And along the way stop at anything that catches our eye. We headed out of Seattle on WA-522 and hit the Stevens Pass Highway/US-2 at Monroe. Nothing spectacular to write about the drive and Monroe was just another town. We stocked up on good eats and water at the local Fred Meyers and headed on towards parts unknown.

Our drive lead us through the small towns of Sultan, Gold Bar, Index and Coles Corner, these towns are small and I mean really small. But the views are amazing. Green rolling fields, evergreens, winding roads, mountains in the horizon, in short picture perfect.

A roadside park pullout point near Goldbar

We made a few interesting stops in this area, one at a state salmon hatchery and another at the Wallace Falls Park. We did trek for an hour but as we had to reach Leavenworth before dark, we cut short our hike and were back on the road.

Sights as we trekked in Wallace Falls State Park

The golden rule about roadtrips is to pullout as often as possible and this highway has amazing view points and pull out points all through. Just off the highway is the amazing deception falls and it is worth stopping there.

The deception falls, right off the highway. Amazing

Highway 2 to Leavenworth passes along the regions that offer some of the best outdoor activities. The slopes are famed ski areas and the ofcourse you can do anything from rock climbing to rafting rapids in the area.

Somewhere along the drive, River Wentachee flowing along the highway

And our final destination for the day, Leavenworth, a slice of Germany in the US. It is a reproduction of a small Bavarian town. It is quaint, cute and pretty. But as we have already visited Bavaria and enjoyed the Bavarian hospitality, this kind of felt flaky and over-the-top. But ofcourse it is one of the most romantic towns and is real nice place. It sits 8000feet above sea level and is surrounded by orchards of pears and apples. It is a fruit lovers haven.

We spent the night at the amazing Cottonwood Shores B&B, just a few miles out of Leavenworth and on the banks of the River Wenatachee. If you are ever in the area you should stay there. Absolutely stunning views, wonderful rooms and exceptionally friendly hosts. The hot tub is just another bonus.

And that was day 1!

Day Zero - roadtrip 1

Traveling from Houston to our base Seattle, WA is a journey in itself. A four hour flight on the Friday before Labor Day means, long lines and confusion all around. We were lucky, we really did not have any major hitches and as we approached Seattle, the views were spectacular. There was light for us to make out Mt.Rainer and enjoy its majestic glory before we got off the clouds.

Once in Seattle-Tacoma airport, confusion prevailed. There were delays with the baggage, long lines at the Hertz rental, all attributed to the long weekend. It was dark by the time we hit the roads on our rental Chevy Cobalt. In the darkness, the sights of Seattle was similar to any city in US, construction all around on the freeways, a few cranes doting the downtown skyline, the usual. But Seattle had a lot more ups and downs than flat Houston, making the drive a good one.

We spent the night with friends and it was a fun time. Good food, better company, late night talks and that in short is life.

This was Day Zero of our trip!

Road trip -1a

We are off-the beaten path people and we love nature and anything worth a click! And we are heading out to the Pacific Northwestern part of the USA this weekend. Pacific Northwestern part of the US includes the states of Oregon and Washington. This area is one of the most diverse regions you can set foot on, towering mountain ranges, amazing rain forests, beaches, swamps, skiing, farming, spas, wineries, coffee shops, Boeing factory and software industries.. water and mountains an amazing combination! A treat for our eyes and our lenses and am sure we'll bring back memories and pictures to last forever.

Duration : 4 nights and 4 days

Location : Pacific Northwest - Washington State, US

Travelers: V and R

Mode of transport : Continental Airlines flight to Seattle and then a Hertz compact car rental

The plan:

Fly into Seattle, visit friends and then head out for our road trip. We plan to drive the 440-mile cascade loop covering some of the best scenic places Washington State has to offer. A road trip offers us the opportunity to takes things at our own pace and spend time doing what we enjoy the most clicking photos and admiring views. We do have some timings planned out but we are just going to take things as it comes.


The major places we plan to visit include the parts of the North Cascade National Park, parts of the San Juan Islands, parts of the Olympic National Park.

The best part is that this region is filled with spectacular waterfalls, diverse climates, and quaint towns with homely bed and breakfasts, spectacular wildlife. We are planning to have fun and we hope we to update this blog as we are on road. Ha! There you go, our scary-on now includes a laptop and all the assorted accessories it comes with.

Look for your updates from the road starting September 1st.