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Our Northwest Corner Adventure
  • Where are Paul and Donna
  • Where are Paul and Donna

Our Northwest Corner Adventure

Paul has 6 more states to visit to have all 50 states on his bucket list checked off. This trip will get two more; Washington & Oregon. Paul & Donna both have a goal to visit all the National Parks in the USA. We will visit four parks. Read more
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  • Trip start
    August 13, 2024
    Where are Paul and DonnaOur Northwest Corner AdventureTraveler
    It's just way too early.
    Close up of our Hartford to Philadelphia ride.Our plane in HartfordOn our plane in Philadelphia waiting for the doors to close.

    Day 1: BDL to PHL to SEA

    August 13, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 59 °F

    We are plenty early. Which is a good thing. Donna & I are heading for Seattle for a ten day mini-trip. Our main goal is to visit the four National Parks in Oregon and Washington. Please reply with comments to let us know you are keeping an eye on us. Let the adventure begin!
    8:12 AM We are on board in Philadelphia for a six hour flight to Seattle.    Read more

  • Where are Paul and DonnaOur Northwest Corner AdventureTraveler
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    Day 1: Multnomah Falls, Mt. Hood, Tumalo

    August 13, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    After arriving SeaTac airport, we picked up our rental car and headed south towards Oregon. Our first stop was Multnomah Falls. This was a stop Donna wanted to be sure I got to see. It is lovely. Worth the two dollars.

    From there we headed towards our airbnb in Tumalo, Oregon. Our journey had us headed directly into the view of Mount Hood. Wow!

    By 10:00 pm we made it to our wonderful airbnb. Got a good night’s sleep and in the morning headed out to Crater Lake. In the morning our wake-up view was inspiring.    Read more

  • Where are Paul and DonnaOur Northwest Corner AdventureTraveler
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    Day 2: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

    August 14, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Crater Lake National Park has a personality all its own. Due to forest fires we could not enter through the north entrance. We had to drive around to the south entrance to enter the park.

    This park is very picturesque. This park offers artists of all types many opportunities to capture a spirit which only this park provides. I chose to show most of the images in black and white because the haze of the forest fires did not allow for the colors to shine.

    Of course, Donna and I were diligent in earning our Crater Lake Junior Ranger badges - which we wear proudly.

    After our day at Crater Lake we headed back to Bend Oregon and had a totally AMAZING dinner at “Pastini’s” in the Old Mill area. #pastini Also, Donna who is known across the world to be the “Woman who doesn’t drink,” found a new favorite Pinot Gris, produced by Cooper Mountain Vineyards, Willamette Valley, Oregon. #CooperMountainVinyards    Read more

  • Where are Paul and DonnaOur Northwest Corner AdventureTraveler

    Day 3: Smith Rock & Mount Saint Helens

    August 15, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    Day three was pretty much a travel day. We needed to get from Bend, Oregon up to Mount Rainer. However, the day was still an opportunity to visit a couple of points of interest.

    Smith Rock in Oregon is considered one of the birth place of technical rock climbing. We got to see the rock, but time constraints didn’t allow for a long visit at the park.

    From there we headed up to Mount Saint Helens. It was back on March 27, 1980 Donna was living in Vancouver, Washington when Mount Saint Helens erupted. She remembers cleaning the ash off of everything, afraid to even breathe the air. She remembers seeing the top of Mount Saint Helens.

    Paul and Donna were able to completed the necessary tasks to be sworn in and awarded our Mount Saint Helen’s Junior Ranger badges.

    Most of the day was spent driving, but we did have a couple of opportunities to explore some nice places.    Read more

  • Where are Paul and DonnaOur Northwest Corner AdventureTraveler

    Day 4: Mount Rainer National Park

    August 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F

    Mount Rainer is a beautiful national park. Because of cloud cover we were unable to see the top of the mountain. Donna and Paul worked diligently on their Mount Rainer Junior Ranger Badges and were sworn in officially. Check out the look on the lady watching these two crazy old people being sworn in as “Official Junior Rangers for Mount Rainer.”

    There are two videos attached. The first is a peaceful video of the waterfall in the background as we pan around the forest. The video at the end is Paul and Donna doing one of the Junior Ranger activities - The look on the guy’s face who we enlisted to take the video was priceless.

    We got to hike around a little bit in the forest and experience some of what the park has to offer.    Read more

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    Day 5: North Cascades National Park

    August 17, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F

    What a beautiful place in the world! North Cascades National Park.

    So, we all hate paying taxes, right? I just figure my tax dollars are being allocated to our National Park System - I don’t feel so bad come April 15th each year.

    We are really doing a 10-day whirlwind adventure - two states - four major National Parks - other points on interest as well. The North Cascades is a place to come back to and camp. We were limited to how far we could drive because of the forest fires. Nevertheless we got a nice taste of the beauty this park offers, and much more important …

    … we earned our Junior Ranger badge for the North Cascades! It really is fun doing the Junior Ranger badge booklet - we actually learn stuff. Also, watching the introduction to the park video’s are always enlightening. You see stuff you would never get to see unless you hiked or were in a plane.

    One of the points of interest in the park was driving over a dam to get to the other side. A bit scary.

    We stayed at the Alexander Hotel which was right outside the National Park entrance. We got a reservation to enter the park at 1:00 PM — but the Ranger let us in early, we got into the park shortly after 11:00 AM. So, if you do get a late entrance time - it is worth it to ask if you can enter early.    Read more

  • Where are Paul and DonnaOur Northwest Corner AdventureTraveler

    Day 6: Ferry ride - Bremerton to Seattle

    August 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    After a nice long sleep - we finally got out of bed - It was a “No Alarm Day.’ We woke up, got ready and walked down through the town of Bremerton to the Seattle Ferry. Enjoyed a nice ferry ride to the big city of Seattle. The seagulls were happy to follow along to get what ever snacks they could. At the end there is a video of a seagull getting a chip from a young girl. You can se the excitement on her face.Read more

  • Where are Paul and DonnaOur Northwest Corner AdventureTraveler

    Day 6: Fish & Chips at ‘The Pike’

    August 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    By the time we got off the ferry in Seattle, we were hungry. We decided to head towards Post Alley and Pike Place Market. Right as you enter Post Alley on the right hand side is “The Pike.” We had not heard about it before - just wandered into an experience you don’t want to miss. You need a GPS to find your way from one section to the other - it’s a maze in there. Everything was decorated with something cool and interesting on the walls and hanging from the ceiling. It is one of those places that even the rest rooms are fun to check out the vibe.

    On our various journeys - checking out the “Fish & Chips” and local beers is “our thing” to do. With all the countries we have visited so far the place in Sydney, Australia behind the Mac Donalds is the best in the world. That said …

    The Pike serves up an excellent fresh Rock Fish, with a lightly breaded crust that has an amazing flavor to balance the fish taste. It is like a perfect wine-pairing - how the crust and the fish melt in your mouth for a seafood delight. The Pike is in our top-3 places in the world to have fish & chips. #thepike    Read more

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    Day 6: The Gum Wall, Seattle, Washington

    August 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    While these on of Seattle may be filled with all sorts of bacteria - it is a journey of color, shape, patterns, and design.

    Enjoy these images.

    You must go to the last photo to get Donna’s take on The Gum Wall. She didn’t hold back her take on this passage way.Read more

  • Where are Paul and DonnaOur Northwest Corner AdventureTraveler
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    Day 6: Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA

    August 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    When in Seattle one of the must go-to places is Pike Place Market. I got to see Brandon throw the fish! Also, look carefully at the three pics of Brandon holding the octopus …. It wasn’t intentional - check out the woman in the background.

    It is a very fun ... yet touristy vibe.

    #pikeplacemarket    Read more

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    Day 6: Space Needle - Donna's fear

    August 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    As a photographer/artist we always hope to capture the emotions and feelings of the subject. Can you sense the fear in her face? Donna hates being on top of these high buildings, especially those with glass floors. I was surprised when she wanted to take pictures of us lying down.

    This series is devoted to Donna and the progress she is making in over-coming her fear of heights.

    There is one image she is sitting on a bench, holding on to the edge very tight. I think she left an impression on the bench.

    Donna lived in Seattle area over 30 years ago. This was not her first visit to the Space Needle. The biggest thing for her is how much the area has changed in the past thirty years.

    This was my first time on top of the Space Needle. We were up there for over two hours. Had an over priced drink and sat and watch the city pass by us. Beautiful views. A bucket list item checked off the box for me.    Read more

  • Where are Paul and DonnaOur Northwest Corner AdventureTraveler

    Day 6: Space Needle - Assorted Images

    August 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    I totally loved the Space Needle. The views from the top are amazing. The people watching just a delight. I do wish we had the time to watch the sunset, but we didn’t.

    Here are some assorted images I captured for atop the Space Needle.Read more

  • Where are Paul and DonnaOur Northwest Corner AdventureTraveler
    You just got to love these glasses.This is funny - It was a "Big Race" to get on to the ferry. On your mark, get set, GO!!!!

    Day 6: Ferry ride Seattle to Bremerton

    August 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    Since we got into Seattle late, we planned to catch the 5:30 pm ferry back to Bremerton - that wasn’t going to happen. We took the 7:50 pm ferry back.

    It’s the end of the day - we are tired.

    Here are some images I took on the ferry journey back.    Read more

  • Where are Paul and DonnaOur Northwest Corner AdventureTraveler

    Day 7: ‘A Sea Day' in Bremerton, WA

    August 19, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    I apologize to everyone for not keeping up with this adventure’s Penguin’s postings. We have been running 100 mph non-stop. To our Viking Neptune friend’s from our World Cruise you can related to ‘Needing a Sea Day.’ Today is our Sea Day. We are staying in a cute little airbnb redone attic in Bremerton, Washington. If you can make it up the tight step stair case you are golden. We chose this unit because it is centrally located, and great price - A ferry ride into Seattle (We did that yesterday) and a 90 minute drive to Olympic National Park (planned for tomorrow).

    My goal for the rest of the day is to get caught up on my posts and try to get everyone up to date on our adventures. The airbnb host Karna is an artist, we plan on taking an art class with her later today as well.

    This morning we slept in (no alarm) walked into town had a breakfast burrito and coffee at “Cups Expresso & Cafe.” Got a couple of supplies, and walked back to the unit. Talked with Karna about art classes.

    So, my goal for the next hour or so is to work backwards, and get caught up on our Pacific Northwest Adventure.    Read more

  • Where are Paul and DonnaOur Northwest Corner AdventureTraveler

    Day 8: Olympic National Park Jr. Rangers

    August 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    As always our first goal is to get the park’s Junior Ranger Badge book and start to complete the projects, and determine what we need to do to earn our Junior Ranger Badge for Olympic National Park.

    Once we completed all the tasks and interviewed Ranger Simon, he was honored to swear us in and present us with our Junior Ranger Badges for Olympic National Park.

    Olympic National Park is really beautiful. The photography opportunities are boundless. Here are some of the images I captured.    Read more

  • Where are Paul and DonnaOur Northwest Corner AdventureTraveler

    Day 9: The Art of Glass Blowing

    August 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    Today Donna and I visited the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington. In “The Hot Shop” we got to watch the process of glass pitchers being made.

    Amazing doesn’t begin to describe it!

    Please enjoy the photos of these artisans create these works of art. Each person had their job and worked as precision team knowing what to do next.

    #museumofglass #glassblowing    Read more

  • Where are Paul and DonnaOur Northwest Corner AdventureTraveler

    Day 10: Low key day, not much to report.

    August 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    On Thursday we checked out of our airbnb at noontime. Then headed towards SeaTac to check in at a hotel near the airport. All went fine,.

    Once we were settled into our room, took at small drive, ending up in Kent, Washington, There we found a home brew and cafe place had a decent lunch. Then back to the hotel to watch the DNC, and get some rest for our long boring Friday travel day.

    Our ten day Northwest adventure was just long enough and we saw a lot of stuff. We visited two states (Washington & Oregon), Visited and earned our Junior Ranger Badges at five National Parks; Crater Lake, Mount Saint Helens, Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Park.

    Other points of interest we visited included: Multnomah Falls, Smith Rock, Museum of Glass, The Gum Wall, Pikes Market, The Space Needle, and a ferry ride.

    I got to take a decent amount of pictures. Donna and I both had a art class with Karna an amazing instructor.

    Even those this was a short holiday we did and saw a lot and had a great time. It is been our pleasure to share our adventure with each of you. I still have the photos from Day 9 at Olympic National Park to post.

    - Paul & Donna    Read more

  • Where are Paul and DonnaOur Northwest Corner AdventureTraveler

    Day 11: Coming home!

    August 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    It’s 7:50 AM in Seattle, Washington. We have a 10:15 flight to Dallas, then to home. We arrive Hartford, CT at midnight EST.

    Today is one of those LOOOONG flight and airport layover days. We are tired.

    We had a great 11 day adventure. Happy to be coming home.    Read more

    Trip end
    August 23, 2024
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