Pacific Northwest Trips by Lonely Planet is one of 6 books in Lonely Planets new "Trips" Series covering select locations in the United States. These books are ideal for those looking to make a domestic road trip or even for International visitors trying to figure out some of America's top road trips. This particular book highlights 52 unique themed trips ranging from 2 to 7 days; each trip includes family and pet friendly attractions, easy to … [Read more...]
Summer Shangrila Santa Monica
Summer of Shangri-LA Begins with a Splash! Suite 700, The Courtyard and Ditch Day Fridays make their Debut at hotel Shangri-LA in Santa Monica Sweeping Ocean Views, Summery Cocktails, and Courtyard & Rooftop Dining Make Tamie Adaya's Hotel Shangri-La This Summer's Nexus of Fun. SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (April 2010) -- The Summer of Shangri-La is off to an early start, as the iconic Santa Monica Hotel Shangri-La launches Suite 700, The … [Read more...]
Crater Lake, Oregon – October 2006
Crater Lake Oregon - This stunning lake located in Southern Oregon is the 2nd deepest lake in North America, and is the 7th deepest in the world. It is self contained within the walls of a steep caldera and as a result there is no inlet or outlet. Excellent photography is available at the crater rim. Over 500 inches of snow falls in an average season so there is snow at the rim often until mid to late summer. Known for its spectacular blue … [Read more...]
Mt. Rainier, WA – The Climb
Introduction We stayed one night at Camp Muir, then crossed the Cowlitz Glacier to Cathedral Gap (10,640 ft) and continued along the rock and scree ridge to Ingraham Glacier and Ingraham Flats at 11,100 ft. We spent the rest of the day here, caught some Z's until just past midnight - then left for the summit, reached the top and returned to Ingraham Flats. At this point due to exhaustion we caught some more Z's and then packed up the tent and … [Read more...]
Alaska & Canada Bicycle Trip Part II
Portland, Oregon - September 02, 2001 Victoria and the lower Forty Eight The planned few days off in Victoria turned into two weeks, thanks to the relentless hospitality of my friends Gil and Lynne Blair, both of whom I met on a cycling trip two years ago in Washington State. I am greatly indebted to them for providing me with thousands of calories, electric light, this thing that spews hot water (they call it a 'shower'), and teaching me … [Read more...]
Fiji Hotel Chain provides and Alternative to Packaged Tourism
The owners of Fiji's largest budget accommodation chain have decided to counter the burgeoning bus and package tour trade by refocusing on the independent traveler. With more and more visitors being booked onto pre-arranged itineraries straight off the plane in Nadi, Cathay Hotels (Fiji) Limited has made a conscious choice to do things a lot differently. They're betting on the market niche of those who prefer to make their own decisions about … [Read more...]
Serious Romance at an Oregon Coastal Inn
On Oregon's northern coast, the tiny town of Wheeler sits at the edge of a pristine bay that cloisters all sorts of wonders, which stay even more secret because they often get passed over by the major tourist publications. A mere few blocks long, if you blink you may miss this diminutive gem, where antique shops seem to be the number one industry (there are four such shops, yet only two lodgings and two restaurants). All of this looks out over … [Read more...]
Cannon Beach
Oregon's coastline is full of secrets: veiled pleasures and surprises, clandestine, deserted beaches and hidden gems peppering the towns in the form of lodgings or eateries. But perhaps the most stunning secret on all of Oregon's coast lies just outside of the art and culture mecca of Cannon Beach, on the north coast. There's a castle a bit south of town, hidden behind the walls of trees just north of the Arch Cape Tunnel. You can become king … [Read more...]
A Thai Wedding Story
Sawasdee kha friends! Part I I find myself writing this email several hours after my brother's village Thai wedding, while sitting in the comfortably air-conditioned "business center" of our hotel. It's not often on my travels that I am left without words to describe my experiences, but for once I feel that this email can never fully articulate the feel of the last 24 hours. When we left Bangkok yesterday I was eager to return to the … [Read more...]
R-Ranch, Hornbrook CA – September 2004
R-Ranch Hornbrook - Located in the far reaches of Northern California, the R-Ranch is a private membership based ranch easily accessible just off the 5 freeway (on the west side) immediately south of the Oregon border. The ranch offers over 5000 acres for relaxaing including a variety of outdoor activities that embrace the western lifestyle. Some of which include swimming (a modern swimming pool is located at the ranch headquarters), excellent … [Read more...]