Our Favorite Adventures of 2024
We had many fun adventures in 2024. Here are a few of our favorites.
Finding Wildflowers in the Methow Valley
We were vacationing in the Methow Valley and had spent the morning hanging out at a waterfall. Then we decided to take the long way home and stumbled upon fields of wildflowers. Finding bright blue lupin growing amongst the pine trees was a fun surprise. It was also a reminder of the rewards that can come with taking a different path.
Snowy Olympic Mountains from the Ferry Boat
On a sunny winter day, we decided to hop on a ferry boat for a day trip. Since it was Saturday in the middle of winter the ferry had plenty of room, and we had a great time photographing wildlife and beautiful scenery.
Seeing whales in Tacoma
The orca whales have been through our area several times, but this was the first time we saw them for ourselves from our hometown. I had seen a post online showing that they were nearby, and we raced to try and see them. It was very exciting to see them as they passed by Point Defiance.
The Northern Lights at Mount Rainier
This was a night we’ll never forget. We waited with several others at a viewpoint in Mount Rainier National Park, hoping to get a glimpse of the northern lights. They were forecasted to make an appearance when darkness came, and we waited with excited anticipation. Then we gazed in amazement for several hours as they filled the night sky.
Racehorse Falls
We followed the instructions we’d been given and found an unexpected gem. A forest full of moss and ferns, and a breathtaking waterfall. This is one we will visit again.
The full story is here.
Visiting Ohio
My sister and I went with our dad to Ohio for a family reunion. It was a great time spent with family and touring Amish country. One of the highlights was seeing the farm and community where my dad lived as a boy.
Sunset at Takhlakh Lake
We got a camping spot at Takhlakh Lake! A handful of sites are left available without a reservation and we got the last one. It allowed us to see the lake at sunset without needing to make a long drive home. This has become one of our favorite places. It’s such a relaxing place to hang out. Gorgeous too. At sunset we had perfect light, a perfect reflection, and great company. It was a fabulous evening.
You can read more here.
A Run on the Beach
Our family was enjoying a vacation at the beach and had been there for a few days. We’d enjoyed playing in the sand, splashing in the waves, and even a fire on the beach at night. My favorite time though, came on the last day when I got up early for a run. The tide was out leaving lots of little pools in the sand. The sun was shining, and there was only a slight breeze. It was a wonderful morning.
You can read more about our beach trip here.
Sitting at the Creek
We had seen a spectacular sunrise up at the mountain and weren’t sure what we wanted to do with the rest of our day. As we headed back to our campsite, we decided to pull off the road to explore the creek. We found a great spot to hang out with shade, a small waterfall, clear water, and rocks perfect for sitting on. It was a perfect way to spend our afternoon.
Fall Color in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
We spent a full day this fall in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The fall color was fabulous, and the sights were wonderful. We saw 2 gorgeous waterfalls, along with Takhlakh Lake surrounded by bright yellow, orange and red leaves. We took lots and lots of pictures. I think one or two may be on the calendar next year.
On to the next adventure and 2025!