Before the season slips away—and we admit it’s suddenly sneakily picking up its gait—we’d like to add a few “musts” to your PNW playlist. From musical gatherings to tranquil getaways, these ideas might just add a bit more magic to your already rockin’ summer.
Corinne Whiting
PRESS “REFRESH” AT SAN JUAN’S LAKEDALE RESORT
So many of us mean to unplug more often than we do, and sadly it often takes a setting so serene and a WiFi signal so blessedly weak to force us to do just that. Once we finally power down and tune in, we wonder what the heck took so long. Destinations like Lakedale Resort on beautiful San Juan Island prove the perfect spot to disconnect and reconnect, and the benefits remain long after the ferry docks back on the mainland.
Cool concerts, cocktails, Kurios & more
Sure, a recent heat wave and string of azure-skied days have filled Seattle’s trails and parks with hordes of eager sun worshippers. It’s been glorious. Yet we must remind ourselves of one undeniable fact: It’s only February; technically, summer’s still a long way off.
Feasting our way across some of BC’s hidden gems.
The challenge of visiting any island: Often, it takes work to get there. As a traveler, there’s not much
within one’s control; choppy seas and foggy skies can lead to schedule delays that can’t be contested.
Local musicans launch a unique tour to spread the love
Reading the news these days can be a real buzzkill; because of this, we cherish the rare feel-good stories even more. As an example, local group Luc and the Lovingtons are about to launch their revolutionary idea
Seattle students get global exposure, thanks to a trip abroad with Learning AFAR
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”~Mark Twain
An Oregon music fest enchants again, introducing us to some new favorite artists (several perform this weekend at Bumbershoot, too!)

After year two of attending the Pickathon music festival in Happy Valley, Oregon, I know this much to be true:
Seattle (and the entire NW) amps up for a high-volume season.
Seattelites love to rock out all year-round, but when we’re finally blessed with never-ending azure days, we crank it up even harder. This summer’s music options include the obvious gems like Capitol Hill Block Party (July 25-27) and Bumbershoot (August 30-September 1), and we’re impressed once again with these events’ lineups that continue to “wow.”
The secret’s out on one of Seattle’s favorite homegrown stars.
Kris Orlowski is hardly a new name on the Seattle music scene. Yet the man—and his band—have recently been on the move. Good things are happening, and the future feels especially bright.
The 43rd Annual Fremont Fair rocks out with a new tradition
What goes perfectly with zany floats, kooky characters on stilts and enthusiastic bikers cycling around town in the nude? Why, live music, of course! This weekend marks the inaugural year of the newest Fremont Fair tradition: The Solstice Concerts.