White Pass to Chinook Pass Backpack, PCT-WA

Picturesque 30-mile three-nighter hiking south to north for secluded lakes and jaw-dropping views of Mt Rainier. Recommend late August or September as this section can get buggy. Car shuttle. Depending on the month, you may run into a few friendly "thru hikers" on the final push to Canada from Mexico last Spring!

Pacific Rim NP Reserve, Vancouver Island

Seaside and heavily wooded trails traverse the rugged peninsula near Tofino and Ucluelet, BC. When the sun is shining, it is magical.

Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge

On way to Port Angeles is a relatively isolated 10-mile roundtrip beach walk to the new lighthouse watching the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Check the tides and bring water.

Hurricane Ridge, Olympic NP

Towering over Port Angeles, Hurricane Ridge aptly describes itself in the rainy season. But in the summer, it's an entirely different matter with lots of trails to choose from. The wildflowers come out with close-up views of both the Olympics and Puget Sound toward Victoria BC.

Snoqualmie Pass to "old" Kennedy Hot Springs Backpack, PCT-WA

Here's a great five or six night 50+miler depending on route. Travel south to north eventually into the Glacier Peak Wilderness. The old Kennedy Hot Springs and bridge were more or less taken out by a huge landslide but the Boy Scouts negotiated a temporary log jam to cross the flowing river.

Ebey's Landing Bluff Walk, Whidbey Island

Sublime 3.5 mi loop hike along beach and return along top of bluff.

This is also the site where Colonel Isaac Ebey, an early settler and community leader from mid-1800s, was assassinated by native people seeking revenge for a slain chief and massacre by USS Massachusetts further north. This area is rich in natural resources from the prairies and the sea, an obvious source of conflict as European-American settlers came to this area with the encouragement of the US Homestead Act.

Chelan Lakeshore Trail to Stehekin

Lady of the Lake II dropped us at William Creek for an 18-mile backpack in pristine wilderness. Close encounter with rattlesnake on Day 1 near Cascade Creek. Thank goodness for the rattle.

Hike to summit of Mt Zeus, Naxos Island

Santorini Island

Dramatic Santorini perched on top of volcanic cliffs formed by enormous eruption
around 1450 BC and now forms a lagoon.

Paros Island

Lefkes to Prodomos hike along Byzantine Road

Boat to Antiparos Island with snorkeling

Syros Island Hikes

Galissas to Stephano's Cave

The Erechtheion and the Parthenon, Athens

The Acropolis, Athens

Explore ancient Athens before taking ferries to and around the Greek Islands. Ideal time to travel is in the Spring or Fall, otherwise, it is very hot. We traveled in May and early June, and the Aegean Sea by the coast was very nice to swim in.

La Sagrada Familia Basilica, Barcelona

Antoni Gaudí, 1852-1926, was the Spanish architect of the world's longest currently running architectural projects. Gaudí evokes, through advanced engineering & design elements, the feeling of a quiet forest with light streaming in, and using geometric organic elements, such as the spiral of a snail shell, the hexagonal pattern of a bee hive, and the straight line on a curved leaf, the spiritual beauty of Nature. Estimated completion 2026.

N Portugal: Porto to border of Espanha

From historical Porto with lots of "Port" tasting opportunities to the hills and mountains on way to Spain, northern Portugal has castles, monasteries, pilgrimage sites and even ancient Roman Roads to explore.