I recently had the privilege of corresponding with the Honorable Mike McGinn, the mayor of Seattle (the area I called home until last month) about things to do in the Emerald City. His first suggestion was to “rent a boat from the Wooden Boat Center in South Lake Union.”

The Center for Wooden Boats (CWB) is a floating museum on South Lake Union (they have a second location at Cama Beach State Park, north of the city) whose mission is to preserve and continue the stories and understanding of wooden boats. But it’s not just for looking, you can also rent a craft, learn to sail, have a wedding, or just sit back and watch the boats float by. You know, stuff like that.

If you decide to visit the Center for Wooden Boats you may want to stop by Serious Pie for a slice of pizza. Serious Pie shares space with the Biscuit Bar and a wine shop, the combination of which makes for a great picnic on the water. This one is my idea, not the mayor’s.  See, I’m bringing something to the table (or picnic basket as the case may be).

I’d like to thank Mayor McGinn for his suggestions and helpful list of things to do in Seattle.

... is all you need!

That’s right, I said deals. As in more than one.

If you’re thinking about getting away this Valentine’s Day with that special someone, here are some romantic hotel and spa deals for you: Read More »

This post is a contribution from the UpTake Getaway Crew Austin. Visit them today and get a local spin on the great city of Austin!

Lake Travis behind the tasting room at Stone House Vineyards in Spicewood. Photo courtesy of Stone House Vineyards

It’s true: the Texas wine industry is growing by leaps and bounds, and the Hill Country region is one of the fastest growing wine tourism areas in the nation.  Recently, the New York Times picked the region as the #1 place to go this summer.

With rolling hills that see warm days and cool nights, the Hill Country is prime terroir for growing a variety of grapes, and many wineries are taking advantage by producing fine estate wines out of Tempranillo, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and even Pinot Grigio, to name a few. There are now 27 wineries in the Hill Country appellation, scattered among a number of routes known locally as Wine Trails. They are easy to navigate and explore by car on day trips; most of them include tasting rooms, and Flat Creek Estate even has an on-site bistro.  Read More »

Get it? Fish don't have sleeves! Or arms.

Salmon Days in Issaquah, WA is an award-winning family affair — for the fish and the humans. It’s a fun and frolicking multi-weekend event (with most events held October 2nd and 3rd) that takes over downtown Issaquah, a quaint little community about 15 minutes east of Seattle (straight up I-90). Imagine if Norman Rockwell created a town and then Costco moved their international headquarters to it, that’s Issaquah. Now add thousands of spawning salmon. Yes, it’s that awesome.

Last year I failed to report on Salmon Days until after the fact. Why? Because I was at Salmon Days enjoying myself and a walk through sunshine and red-soaked leaves was more enticing than writing about it. As you might imagine, I felt awful. That’s why this year I’m posting Salmon Days information before the festivities. That’s for you, the reader. Read More »