Wind farms, waterfalls, and wine: Portland, Oregon to Yakima, Washington is a quick, 3-and-a-half-hour road trip full of fun side adventures! One of my favorite things about living in the Pacific Northwest is the close proximity to, well, EVERYTHING. Truly. From my house, it’s just a one-hour drive to the beach, an hour and a…
Washington
Skamania Lodge: Rustic Getaway & Aerial Park Adventures (Stevenson, Washington)
Surround yourself in rustic Pacific Northwest comfort, embrace adventure, and soak up stunning views of the Columbia River Gorge with a stay at Skamania Lodge in Southern Washington. Oh, Mighty Columbia River Gorge. Our stunning fixture of strength and nature’s awe. We watched in heartbreaking horror as the forests along parts of our beloved…
Michael Jordan’s Steak House (Ridgefield, Washington)
From vibrant salads to high quality steaks to towering desserts, you’ll find a commitment to excellence and focused execution at Michael Jordan’s Steak House that is indicative of the restaurant’s legendary namesake. Michael Jordan’s Steak House Las Vegas meets Chicago meets the Pacific Northwest at the third and newest Michael Jordan’s Steak House location….
Food Bliss: Line and Lure Seafood Kitchen and Tap
Sometimes, you find creative cuisine in surprising places. Recently, my husband and I had the opportunity to dine at two restaurants inside Ilani Resort – the new casino located in Ridgefield, Washington, about a half hour north from Portland, Oregon. Neither my husband nor I are casino-going people. We are food-loving people, however, and I…
Culinary Travel Bliss: Where to Eat in Walla Walla, Washington (part 2)
Wine tasting in Walla Walla? Here’s a look at three spots we dined at during our last visit, in this second installment of Where to Eat in Walla Walla, Washington. Walla Walla, Washington is an agriculture town, a college town, and, in recent years, a booming wine country. For a small town, the options for dining…
Travel Bliss: Courtyard by Marriott in Walla Walla, Washington
The Walla Walla Courtyard Marriott offers wine country travelers a modern, comfortable place to stay within walking distance of restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and shops. As Walla Walla, Washington wine country continues to grow, you’ll find a nice variety of lodging options. I’ve stayed at the adorable and cozy Sapolil House during one girls’ weekend…
Wine Bliss: Basel Cellars in Walla Walla, Washington
Basel Cellars Estate Winery in Eastern Washington offers full-bodied red wines and a stunning property on which to enjoy their wines. Happy Wine Wednesday! Washington wine country is certainly beautiful. With its towering mountains and varied terrain, the Walla Walla AVA in particular produces beautiful bold red wines. It’s not uncommon to be driving around…
Wine Bliss: L’Ecole Winery in Walla Walla, Washington
Housed in an old schoolhouse, L’Ecole winery continues a 30-year tradition in producing award-winning wines in Walla Walla, Washington. Founded in 1983, L’Ecole No 41 winery is the third oldest winery in Walla Walla wine country. During our recent Visit Walla Walla trip to the booming wine region in Eastern Washington, my husband and I enjoyed a wine…
FOODIE TRAVEL BLISS: Zesta Cucina in Yakima, Washington
Zesta Cucina is the place to go for casual fine dining when visiting the budding craft beverage and wine area of Yakima, Washington. As part of the Yakima Craft Beverage Tour, I had the pleasure of dining with our media group at Zesta Cucina. It was our last meal of the tour, and an amazing way…
FOOD BLISS: Where to Eat in Vancouver, WA: Rally Pizza
Families and foodies in Vancouver, Washington, it’s time to rally and check out the brand new pizza spot, Rally Pizza! Just north of Portland, Oregon, a hop-skip-jump over the Oregon-Washington border, is the town of Vancouver, Washington. Longtime Pacific Northwesterners affectionately call it The Couve (some might do so not-so-affectionately, but that’s a Portland/Vancouver history…
The Journey is the Destination: Our Adventure to Mount Saint Helens
The journey sometimes IS the destination, and every adventure is worth it, even if things don’t go as planned. Here’s a look at a recent spontaneous summer adventure to Mount Saint Helens in Washington state. Have you ever spontaneously decided to go out on an adventure, but things didn’t turn out quite as you had…
TRAVEL + BEER BLISS: Bale Breaker Brewery
Born out of a long lineage of hops farming blood and passion for craft beer, Bale Breaker Brewing Company is a young, thriving, and fast-growing family-owned brewery in Yakima, Washington I’ve covered a lot of family-owned beverage businesses throughout the past 12 years here on Urban Bliss Life, but few match the lineage and the current family involvement…
Travel Bliss: Hotel Maison in Washington Wine Country
Hotel Maison offers travelers visiting Washington wine country elegant, modern accommodations within walking distance from restaurants, boutique shops, breweries, and wine tasting rooms. While Walla Walla, Washington is perhaps the best known wine region in the state, the state’s very first officially designated AVA – Yakima Valley – is gaining some momentum in the world of craft…
Travel + Food Bliss: Where to Eat in Yakima, Washington: Cowiche Canyon
Nestled among old historic building, small businesses, and food chains, Cowiche Canyon Kitchen + Icehouse stands out. This modern build restaurant space with classic American cuisine is a great place to eat & drink when visiting Yakima, Washington. While traveling as part of the Yakima Craft Beverage Tour, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of the restaurants we…
Wine Bliss: Gilbert Cellars
Our Yakima Craft Beverage Tour continues today with another Wine Wednesday feature. After our media group left AntoLin Cellars, we headed over to Gilbert Cellars. I was highly impressed with AntoLin Cellars, and our time at Gilbert Cellars further cemented my respect and admiration for Yakima Valley wines. About Gilbert Cellars The Gilbert family has been part…
Wine Bliss: AntoLin Cellars
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be exploring the Yakima Valley, the first official AVA established in Washington State. We start with a visit to AntoLin Cellars. Washington State has established itself as a hotbed of world class wines with diverse growing regions. While Walla Walla often gets mentioned when Washington wines are discussed, a growing number of…
Wine Bliss: Seattle Wine & Food Experience Grand Tasting
The 2016 Seattle Wine & Food Experience Grand Tasting was a showcase of some of the highest quality, innovative brand leaders as well as exciting new players in the Pacific Northwest food & beverage scene. After experiencing the festive Pop! Bubbles & Seafood event, settling into a relaxing night’s sleep at the Maxwell Hotel, and fueling…
Travel Bliss: Seattle Wine & Food Experience POP! Bubbles & Seafood
The Seattle Wine and Food Experience kicks off with a special celebration of bubbles + seafood pairings. Here’s a peek at the 2016 POP! Bubbles & Seafood Event. Recently, I traveled to Seattle, Washington for the Seattle Wine and Food Experience, which took place at the Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall February 20 and 21, 2016. You can read…
Travel Bliss: The Maxwell Hotel in Seattle, Washington
Located within walking distance from the Space Needle and other Seattle attractions, the Maxwell Hotel offers travelers a luxurious, vibrant boutique experience with modern amenities and chic comfort. The Maxwell Hotel Recently, I took a road trip up to Seattle to attend the Seattle Wine and Food Experience, and had the pleasure of staying at the…
Wine + Food Bliss: The Seattle Wine + Food Experience 2016
Pop open the bubbly and get ready to celebrate top eats and bevvies at the 8th Annual Seattle Wine and Food Experience, February 20 – 21, 2016! I love exploring the food and beverage scene in different cities throughout all of my travels, and one of the best ways to do that sometimes is to attend…