British Columbia’s George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary is the best place on the West Coast to see some of the world’s most spectacular birds, including trumpeter swans, eagles, owls and sandhill cranes. This pit stop for migratory birds is the perfect reason to linger …

An airport delay, a playmate and a lesson from children about friendship and acts of kindness
A mysterious envelope arrived in our mailbox recently, addressed to “Michael” (no last name) in purple letters from someone apparently comfortable with using a crayon as a primary writing tool. My 10-year-old son, Michael, was delighted to discover it was stuffed with all sorts of …

Ballard’s Marceau Pipe Organ Builders is the soul of the neighborhood and we should not forget it
Poke around just a little bit in my Seattle neighborhood, and you will be surprised at what you discover. That was my first impression when we stepped inside the cramped and busy workshop at Marceau Pipe Organ Builders in Ballard. The owner, Rene Marceau, was happy …

Seattle’s Carkeek Park, where wild salmon return from the sea to spawn in a neighborhood creek
From mid November to mid December salmon return to spawn in Piper’s Creek, which flows into the Puget Sound at Seattle’s Carkeek Park. We stumbled upon this year’s run late in the season. There was one lone salmon alive, laboring in the cold, shallow water …

In Skagit County, Washington, you can buy locally grown apples and potatoes on the honor system
It was a wrong turn on a country road that led us to the sleepy little produce stand in Skagit County where a little bit of faith in humanity is on display with fresh apples and potatoes. The Pleasant Ridge Farm produce stand is about …