Shorebirds are a family of birds that live up to their name. They inhabit the shore. Some live on rocky shores, while others prefer sandy beaches. A late-fall trip to virtually any Western Washington beach provides an excellent opportunity for finding a variety … read more

Coming home can mean many things. It can be a holiday gathering. It can be family banding together to help with a temporary setback. It can even be an adult child who’s now back in the basement. But for Beth Hill of Poulsbo, … read more

Bloedel Reserve, a botanical garden on Bainbridge Island, has been open to the public since 1988. Over its approximately 140 acres are several varied garden types, including a moss garden and a nationally recognized Japanese garden. One featured area visitors encounter soon after … read more

These two gardens illustrate the variety and creativity of two contrasting Bainbridge Island lifestyles. A visit to the first garden feels like a walk in the forest while a visit to the second one is like a walk on the beach. A Northwest … read more

Stroll or drive by Devoted Kiss Cafe on Harborview Drive in Gig Harbor any morning or at lunch time, and there is sure to be a throng waiting for a table. Known for its delicious breakfast and lunch offerings, house-made cinnamon rolls and … read more

Chris Brinton knows gardening. For 16 years, she has tended her lovely beachside beds just down the shore from the Hansville lighthouse with a passion that has caused her home to be a frequent feature of the Hansville Garden Tour. Brinton knows how … read more

Casa Dorada means golden house in Spanish, and it sure is. Here, the setting glows, the hospitality warms, the palms wave, the views abound, the beach beckons, and the pools glisten. Casa Dorada is perfectly nestled in Cabo San Lucas, just a four-hour … read more

It’s likely you imagine cold and ice in Iceland. It’s called Iceland, after all. But what would you say when you learn it’s green, so many shades of green. It’s also blue — an astonishing blue in the sky and in the sea. … read more

Gulls. Often erroneously calling them “seagulls,” people either despise or delight in them. As scavengers, gulls keep our beaches clean. As social birds, they can be hilarious to watch, thanks to their antics, especially when fighting over the delectable flesh of dead, smelly … read more